DRUGS: WHITE WORRIES ABOUT MARIJUANA LIMITS

A federal committee has gone too far in its recommendations regarding
the possession of marijuana in Canada, says Langley-Abbotsford MP
Randy White.

The federal government is poised to decriminalize possession of
marijuana at an an amount that is too high, said Langley-Abbotsford MP
Randy White.

The committee studying the non-medial use of drugs has recommended
setting the limit of marijuana possession at 30 grams.

The committee released its final report on marijuana
Thursday.

"We are not looking at giving criminal records to every single person
who has a joint or two in their pocket," White said. "However, if you
can wander around with 20 to 30 marijuana joints for so-called
personal use, you have to wonder when personal possession becomes
trafficking."

The amount the committee is recommending is five times greater than
what the drug laws in the Netherlands allow for personal possession,
White pointed out.

"Tell that to parents of high school students who will now see pushers
who can carry 30 joints around with them, risking no greater fine than
they would get if they got a speeding ticket."

White also has concerns regarding the committee's recommendation which
allows 30 grams of cannabis to be grown for person use.

The MP questions how police will be able to assess how many plants it
takes to grow 30 grams.

"This is a recommendation that is open to a wide range of
interpretation, and will most likely end up in the courts," White said.

Prior to the report being released, federal Justice Minister Martin
Cauchon said he would be bringing legislation forward in the new year
to decriminalize possession of marijuana.

White has suggested some conditions which should be in the
legislation.

Fines should be specified accoring to amount in possession, and
increased significantly for subsequent offences, White said.

He added that fine payment must be vigorously enforced.

As well, appropriate roadside assessment practices should be developed
to target drivers who are impaired by drugs, and better prosecution
and sentencing practices should be agreed upon between the federal and
provincial governments.

"The Justice Minister has already decided he is headed down the road
towards decriminalization of marijuana," White said. "We just have to
ensure he takes the responsible path."

The report also calls for:

- Government prevention and education programs, especially for young
people.

- Creation of a drug commissioner to make annual reports on a renewed
national drug strategy.

-- $3 million in federal funding each year for the Canadian Centre on
Substance Abuse.

The committee does not propose an amnesty for people with records for
past possession convictions.

An estimated 600,000 Canadians have a criminal record for possession
of cannabis products. The possession law dates from the 1920's.

The Special Parliamentary Committee on the Non-medical Use of Drugs
was formed in May 2001 as a result of a motion brought by the Canadian
Alliance.

The committee was given a mandate to study factors underlying or in
relation to the non-medical use of drugs in Canada.

White, an Alliance MP, is one of the committee's two vice-chairs, but
the committee's membership is held by a majority of Liberals.

In part one of its final report which was released earlier last week,
the committee made 39 recommendations regarding drug use, including
the establishment of needle exchange programs, safe injection sites,
and heroin maintenance programs. It also recommended creation of a
Drug Commissioner, nation-wide drug surveys, and more funding for the
Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.