MAKE POT LEGAL, BUT CONTROL IT, SAYS MP JOHN FINLAY

A Joint Or Two Does Not Merit Criminal Record, He Says

TILLSONBURG - MP John Finlay (Oxford-LIB) said he isn't against
decriminalizing marijuana as long as it is controlled.

A Senate report released earlier this year suggested changing the status of
marijuana for those caught with small amounts.

Presently anyone charged with possession of marijuana is required to go to
court and will likely end up with a criminal record.

The committee suggested changing simple possession of less than 30 grams to
an offence that results in a fine.

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon recently stated he would bring forward
legislation in the new year to deal with the recommendation.

Finlay said he hasn't studied the actual report but, from what he has heard
in the media, he doesn't see anything wrong with the suggestion. He doesn't
think people deserve a criminal record for smoking a joint or two.

"My concern would be young people getting hooked on the stuff," he said.

As a school principal in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Finlay said he
knew his students experimented with a lot of drugs. He said most didn't
appear to suffer negative effects, but added he does subscribe to the
notion marijuana could lead to harder drugs.

"Mind you, you could say the same for cigarettes and they're a legal crop,"
he added.

Finlay said marijuana use should have an age limit and be treated similar
to alcohol.