LONDON POLICE FUME AT PLAN TO LEGALIZE POT

A Senate committee pushed yesterday to legalize marijuana for anyone over
16, a move that stunned and horrified London police.

The recommendations could make it easier to smoke pot in Canadian cities
such as London than in Amsterdam, a prospect that frightens Deputy Chief
Murray Faulkner.

"What kind of message does that send, especially to children?" Faulkner said.

The senators want to regulate pot rather than prohibit it, with the
government collecting taxes on its sale, perhaps at government outlets or
even corner stores. Criminal records would be erased for Canadians
convicted of simple possession.

The report was hailed by marijuana activists but condemned by the Canadian
Police Association which called it "a back-to-school gift for drug pushers."

Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, whose committee drafted the report,
acknowledged the federal government is unlikely to act quickly to consider
or implement it.

He's right on that account if London MPs are any indication. Both Joe
Fontana (London-North-Centre) and Pat O'Brien (London-Fanshawe) were
appalled by the report.

"I don't think it stands a chance in hell of passing," Fontana said.

"Those Senators must be smoking something funny," O'Brien said.

Yesterday's report surprised Faulkner. Police and politicians have
advocated decriminalizing some aspects of marijuana use, making it
permissible, for example, to use pot for medicinal purposes or in small
amounts. "But this report goes much too far," he said.

This year, London police have busted pot operations worth more than $9
million. While users caught with a joint may not deserve a criminal record,
society shouldn't turn a blind eye on those engaged in the drug trade.

"I really have some serious concerns," said Faulkner, warning that pot use
would go up, especially among children.

But his assertion was challenged by an employee at Hi-Times, a Richmond
Street store that sells pot bongs and growing equipment.

"It might become less attractive because it would be less on the edge,"
said Travis Davies, noting the store now turns away many youths.

"This (report) is really open-minded . . . That's absolutely beautiful,"
Davies said.

A House of Commons committee is expected to issue a report on illicit drugs
in November.

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon said the government will study those
findings and won't unveil its position before early next year. But Cauchon
did suggest current marijuana laws are outdated.

"We must be able to evolve at the pace of society," he said in Quebec City.
"It strikes me as unlikely that someone could have a criminal record after
being arrested for simple possession.

"When we have legislation that's not really being enforced because it's no
longer consistent with social realities, it's important for a government to
look at and reshape such legislation."

Last month, Cauchon said the government might consider decriminalization,
but would likely reject legalization.

"I believe endorsing marijuana use might inflict harm on society and lead
to greater problems," he said then.

But Nolin disagreed, saying, "Scientific evidence overwhelmingly indicates
that cannabis is substantially less harmful than alcohol and should be
treated not as a criminal issue but as a social and public health issue."

Legalizing pot will eliminate organized drug traffickers who may use
violence, Nolin said. Senators recommended legalization over
decriminalization because the latter would leave the production and sale of
cannabis in the hands of organized crime.

Nolin said the idea is not to encourage marijuana use, but to regulate it,
saving hundreds of millions in annual drug-enforcement costs.

REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS

Highlights of a Senate committee report recommending Canada legalize the
use of marijuana and hashish:

- - Marijuana and hashish should come under a regulatory system for
production and sale under licence for legal use by any Canadian resident
over 16.

- - Looser rules for the use of medical marijuana should provide easier access.

- - The law should be changed for those who drive after using both alcohol
and marijuana, with blood-alcohol limits lowered to .04 per cent in such cases.

- - The government should erase the criminal records of 300,000 to 600,000
Canadians convicted of simple possession of marijuana.

- - The government should appoint a national adviser on psychoactive substances.

- - The government should call a conference of the provinces, municipalities
and other interested parties to set the ground rules for legal marijuana.

- - The government should finance research on drugs and on prevention and
treatment programs, financed by taxes on the sale of legal marijuana.