JUSTICE LAWYERS SHOULD STOP SETTING MARIJUANA POLICY

Re: Marijuana ruling to be appealed, Jan. 4.

The federal Department of Justice is once again poised to waste Canadian
tax resources and set public policy with its appeal of a court decision
that rejected a simple marijuana possession charge in Windsor, Ont.

The current situation was completely predictable. As a result of earlier
court rulings, the federal government was warned that failure to introduce
new legislation within a year would result in the laws concerning marijuana
possession being nullified.

The marijuana issue has been debated, discussed, studied and researched
relentlessly. In recent years, our courts have accepted the evidence,
expert testimony and the science concerning all aspects of marijuana use.
The myths and arguments used by opponents of decriminalization or
legalization have slowly but finally crumbled.

The news however, has apparently not reached the federal Department of
Justice. The confusion lies between a statement by federal lawyer Jim
Leising that the appeal (essentially seeking the status quo), is "in the
public interest," and Justice Minister Martin Cauchon announcing his
intention to introduce legislation to decriminalize marijuana.

The Supreme Court also noticed a conflict between the intent of the
minister and other staff lawyers who were advancing the argument that
marijuana is dangerous. That view certainly doesn't reflect research
results, public opinion, media editorials, parliamentary committee findings
or even, apparently, the view of the minister of justice.

It makes me nervous when public servants who draft legislation, participate
in our justice system or enforce our laws are attempting to influence
public opinion or revise study findings and conclusions on the subject. The
Canadian public and parliament should, and ultimately will, make those
decisions.

The Justice Department should do what is rational and right -- namely,
nothing. Let the issue die. It should, instead, expedite introduction of
Mr. Cauchon's promised decriminalization legislation.

Paul Blissett

Orleans