MARIJUANA MUSINGS

Should The Law Ease Up On Pot Users?

Debate over whether or not marijuana possession should be decriminalized
evokes a mixed response from Grande Prairie residents.

Federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon admitted last week the federal
government is taking a look at decriminalizing pot.

Cannabis would remain illegal - and traffickers wouldn't be spared the
weight of the law - but instead of an arrest, trial, and a potential
criminal record, users would simply be fined a set amount, much like a
speeding ticket. The thinking is that would free up police resources.

But, "It should be a good, heavy fine. Like between $500 and $700," mused
41-year-old Warren Farrell, a travelling salesman who lives in Grande
Prairie. Although not a marijuana user himself, he admitted to trying the
drug in the past and said it should be stocked in stores and its sale
regulated, much like cigarettes.

"But as far as being criminal? It should never affect someone for the rest
of their life the same as charges for drugs like cocaine. It's a minor drug
as far as I'm concerned."

Trina Ajas, a 23-year-old sales clerk, said that marijuana use is basically
harmless and that legal sales of pot could be a federal cash cow.

"I don't use it, but I know a lot of people do and they're all harmless,"
she said. "Why not legalize it, tax it and make money off of it?"

Marijuana isn't Grande Prairie's biggest problem as far as mind-altering
substances go, said 48-year-old oilfield operator Randy Standish. He said
legally-available alcohol should be banned, and marijuana legalized and
sold in its place.

"Booze seems to kill more people that marijuana does," he said.

Dennis Nelson, a retired farmer and carpenter, also agreed penalties for
marijuana possession should be softened, saying the drug is common at every
level of society, but only a tiny minority of users will ever face criminal
charges for it.

But while many Grande Prairians favour taking marijuana users off the hook,
not all agree it's time to decriminalize.

"I don't agree with it. I think that's just making things a little easier
for people to use it," said Faith Cronick, 60.

Lowering the severity of the criminal charges to the point that a first
offence netted the fine would be OK, she said, but subsequent charges
should carry the full weight of the law.

The point may be all but moot in Grande Prairie anyway.

While Cauchon has said the goal of decriminalization would be to better
utilize police resources, Grande Prairie RCMP say minor possession busts
just aren't eating up that much police manpower.

"I would say not a lot of time is spent on them," said RCMP Cpl. Gary Beam
of the city detachment.

The two officers assigned full-time to drug enforcement in the city almost
exclusively work on longer-term projects to bring down those higher in the
drug-dealing chain, he said. While officers will respond to complaints of
marijuana use, Beam said the RCMP view is that resources are better spent
snaring the dealers who supply the drugs than someone in possession of a
small amount for personal use.

"(The drug section) is much too busy dealing with active traffickers," said
Beam.

But as long as possession remains a criminal offence, he says RCMP will
continue enforcement.

"As it stands now it's illegal, and our members will respond to complaints
or calls about it."