POLICE OPPOSED TO LEGALIZING POT

Greater Sudbury Police have come out as being adamantly opposed to the
legalization of any and all current illicit drugs in Canada.

That includes possession of small amounts of marijuana or other cannabis
derivatives.

Deputy police chief Jim Cunningham made that comment in the wake of
recommendations from a special Senate committee calling for legalization of
marijuana and hashish for all Canadians 16 years of age and older.

The Senate recommendation could pave the way for marijuana to be sold over
the counter in pharmacies, corner grocery stores or government-operated
outlets.

Cunningham noted, however, if Ottawa were to go ahead with
decriminalization of small amounts of cannabis derivatives local police
would entertain endorsing the move as long as it was accompanied by
education and prevention programs as well as treatment and counselling.

But there would have to be a common goal of providing a safer environment
for Canadians, said the deputy chief.

Ontario Provincial Police have also taken a stand on the issue and are not
against the idea of some change.

"The OPP is opposed to the legalization of illicit drugs," said Sudbury
detachment spokesperson Const. Laura Houliston.

"However the OPP is not opposed to alternative justice solutions for the
possession of small amounts of cannabis."

Former federal health minister Diane Marleau has mixed feelings about the
issue.

The Sudbury MP said she has no objection to giving people a fine for simple
possession of small amounts and not giving them a criminal record.

"But I'm not convinced we should go all the way and just say well you can
go in to a pharmacy and buy it if you want to," said Marleau.

"I'm not sure we should go there."

The former health minister noted Canada already faces the challenge of
getting people to quit smoking tobacco, which is a proven health hazard.
"Should we go ahead and tell people, well you know it's OK to smoke
marijuana," said Marleau.

"Smoking a cigarette isn't good for you, smoking marijuana can't be any
better," said Marleau.

The Sudbury MP said the big question is how do you not make criminals out
of people holding small amounts of pot while at the same time trying to
convince them about the health risks.

She has no problem with the use of marijuana in medical circumstances.
"I've seen too many people ill with cancer, with nausea because of the
(chemotherapy) treatments," said Marleau.

"I think if it's beneficial for those people, I think definitely they
should have access to medical uses of marijuana."

Nickel Belt MP Ray Bonin said he agrees with a statement from a Canadian
Police Association spokesperson who noted there are too many politicians
playing scientist.

Bonin said he is willing to engage in a discussion on decriminalization but
he is not prepared at this point to legalize pot.

"I'd engage in a debate to make it OK for medicinal use," said the Nickel
Belt MP.

"Maybe fines for small amounts with no criminal record. I'd insist that it
remains a Criminal Code offense to sell and also that the monies saved from
prosecuting simple possession be invested in public health education on the
harms of drug, alcohol and tobacco."

Pot has been outlawed in Canada since 1923.

The Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs studied the matter for two
years and released the results of their report Wednesday in Ottawa.

Statistics indicate that would cover between 300,000 and 600,000 Canadians.

A spokesperson for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health told Northern
Life from a health perspective there's no evidence that cannabis causes
more societal and individual harm than alcohol or tobacco.

Dr. Patrick Smith told Northern Life current legal penalties have not
proven to have any effectiveness.

He added, however, good prevention and health promotion programs show
evidence of a reduction in drug use.

Smith noted the recommendation to decriminalize is just one part of a
comprehensive federal approach to substances.

The committee recommendations also include a call for the government to
appoint a national adviser on psychoactive substances and that a
provincial-municipal conference be held to hammer out the ground rules on
legal pot.

It is further suggested taxes on the sale of marijuana be used to finance
research on drugs as well as treatment and prevention programs.

The Senate can recommend whatever it wants, but ultimately it's up to the
Chretien government to introduce a bill or motion to change Canada's
marijuana laws.

And the government isn't expected to release its position on the matter
until 2003. It's estimated 100,000 Canadians get high every day and 2
million Canadians have lit up in the last year.

About 20,000 people are arrested annually on marijuana-related charges.