POT USE SHOULD BE TREATED LIKE ALCOHOL: FINLAY

Oxford Member of Parliament John Finlay isn't against the
decriminalization of marijuana as long as some controls accompany it.

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 for less than 30 grams to an offence that
results in a fine. Justice Minister Martin Cauchon recently stated he
would be bringing forward legislation in the new year to deal with the
committee's 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. He stressed his agreement with the
decriminalization would be contingent on an assessment of the
responsibility and harm issues.

Inspector Jack Goodlett of Oxford OPP agreed marijuana can lead to the
use of harder drugs.

"As police officers we consider it a gateway drug to stronger drugs,"
he said.

Changing possession of marijuana to a ticketable offence won't make
any difference to police resources, Goodlett said. He said those
officers who normally deal with a lot of drug offences have the
paperwork down to a science and they would have to complete as much
paperwork for a fine.

Local federal prosecutor Scott Campbell said listening to the public
debate there is clearly confusion between decriminalization and
legalization. Decriminalization will make marijuana possession a
ticketable offence he said, similar to provincial offences like
speeding. That should not be confused with legalizing it.

Campbell also said prosecuting simple possession amounts to less than
10 per cent of federal offences. Beyond that, Campbell said he isn't
allowed to comment on proposed legislation.

Opposition (Alliance) justice critic Randy White said 30 grams of
marijuana can equate to 25 to 40 joints. He suggested a limit of five
grams was enough.

"They don't need 30 joints to be casually smoking," he
said.

He also said fines should be increased for subsequent offences and a
method should be developed to deal with people smoking marijuana and
driving.

"There's no plan, that's the problem," he said.

Two Tillsonburg residents who use marijuana for medical purposes spoke
of problems still unsolved since legislation allowing marijuana for
medical use was passed.

Mike McGaw of Tillsonburg, the only person licensed to grow marijuana
for medical use in Ontario, said if marijuana is decriminalized there
still has to be a source for plants. He received his grow permit last
October and is currently waiting for renewal of the annual permit.

"They say we can use but there's no supply," McGaw
said.

He received a permit to use marijuana for medical purposes after he
was partially paralyzed from an injury and then his condition worsened
as the result of a car accident. One criteria before a permit is given
is all other medications must be tried first.

McGaw said he is fighting a battle similar to that of those who want
to decriminalize marijuana. He saw the possible decriminalization as a
step which may help him.

Another Tillsonburg resident, who wished to remain anonymous, is
fighting to be granted a medical use permit. He suffered a permanent
spinal cord injury from cancer. Although spinal cord injuries are on
the top of the list for medical marijuana use and it decreases
inflammation of the spinal cord, he can not get a medical certificate
for marijuana use.

"The reason you can't get it is the doctor's legal liability," he
said.

He said marijuana is preferable to the prescription narcotics
prescribed by his doctor because of their side effects.

"They make you stupid, cause drowsiness, liver damage, terrible sweats
and are highly addictive," he said as he listed off the side effects
of narcotics.

In contrast, he found marijuana leaves him clear headed with only 10
per cent of the side effects of the pills.