cannabisnews.com: Committee Sends Mixed Message Over Pot Use





Committee Sends Mixed Message Over Pot Use
Posted by CN Staff on December 26, 2002 at 20:20:28 PT
By Lisa Tallyn, Special To The Post
Source: Burlington Post 
Potentially looser laws on marijuana possession have received lukewarm support locally, but Halton's police chief has expressed concern youths are getting a mixed message about drug use.A Commons committee, chaired by Burlington MP Paddy Torsney, recommended recently that Canadians should be allowed to grow and carry about 30 grams of marijuana for personal use at the risk of only a ticket and fine, not a criminal record.
Marijuana would remain an illegal substance and trafficking in any amount would still be a crime.Legislation on the matter could be introduced early next year.Halton Regional Police Chief Ean Algar said the police service, in keeping with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police recommendation, supports possession of a small quantity of marijuana be treated as a non-criminal offence, but he stressed that would be for the first offence only and at the police officer's discretion.He said that recommendation is in line with what is already occurring in the courts.Algar stressed the recommendation comes with the caveat that a renewed national drug strategy be put in place that would include public education, a health component and harsher penalties for the dealing and production of drugs.Algar, however, is not happy with the message he believes is being put out in the media as a result of the committee's recommendation."It shouldn't be the message that drugs are OK," said Algar. "I'm disappointed in the way this is evolving."The youth of our community are confused," said Algar.Proof of that is that Halton's Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) officers are being asked by area students if drugs are good or bad, Algar said."They should be sending a clear message that drug use is unacceptable and this seems to be lost in this whole issue," he said."The focus should be on drug dealing and cultivation," the chief added.Included in the committee's recommendation are more drug prevention and education programs on the risk of marijuana use, especially to young people. The committee would also like to see a test to measure the drug impairment level of drivers, similar to the blood alcohol meters now available."I really think it probably makes sense to decriminalize possession," said Halton MP Julian Reed, who stressed he doesn't condone marijuana use. "The police have a lot more important things to do."When asked if he would support the recommendation he said he supports the concept, but he'll wait to see the bill."I want to see the legislation and be able to establish it does what it is intended to do and does not encourage the drug trade."Ian Stewart, executive director of ADAPT (Alcohol and Drug and Gambling Assessment Prevention and Treatment), a Halton-based agency, said the change to the law is "something that does make sense from a lot of perspectives.""I don't condone its (marijuana) use at all," stressed Stewart."In many ways I think a strong fine may be more of a deterrence (than the current criminal record)," said Stewart."I don't think it will lead to increased use," he said.He added if preventing use is the real issue, a multi-pronged approach is needed including enforcement, prevention, education, research and treatment.Halton Region Medical Officer of Health Dr. Bob Nosal said neither he nor the region's health department have an official position on decriminalizing marijuana possession, calling it a federal issue."For any substance use or abuse, be it tobacco, alcohol or marijuana, my view, and the public health position is...these issues need to be dealt with comprehensive programming."Maggie Waligora, a registered nurse, and chief operating officer of the Halton Hills-based Art of Healthy Living Inc., which offers a support group for parents of teens with drug and crime problems, is opposed to the proposed change."I don't think it should be allowed at all," said Waligora. "Marijuana is the gateway drug to other drugs. I see it will increase the usage."She said she is hearing from young people that they are interpreting the message to mean that marijuana possession is going to be legal and "in their mind it's legal and it's OK."Waligora believes a criminal record is more of a deterrent than a fine."Kids that are afraid of the law, they won't try it," she said. "Decriminalizing the drug will surely increase its availability to our youth and compromise the work done by our rehabilitation and detention centres," said Dr. Christopher Eriksson, CEO of the Art of Healthy Living Inc., in a letter to Reed.Note: "I really think it probably makes sense to decriminalize possession. The police have more important things to do." - Julian Reed, Halton MP Complete Title: Committee Sends Mixed Message Over Pot Use: ChiefSource: Burlington Post (CN ON)Author: Lisa Tallyn, Special To The PostPublished: December 26, 2002Copyright: 2002 Burlington PostContact: jdavis haltonsearch.comWebsite: http://www.haltonsearch.com/hr/bp/Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmDrug Strategy Addresses Concerns of Canadianshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15011.shtmlPot on MP Torsney's Mind http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15010.shtmlDecriminalize Marijuana Nowhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14996.shtml
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Comment #2 posted by knox42897 on December 27, 2002 at 10:08:44 PT:
Fcuking Funny
"In many ways I think a strong fine may be more of a deterrence (than the current criminal record)," said StewartYeah buddy, I suggest a "strong fine" with the option of lowering the fine and making it a reasonable fine tax."Kids that are afraid of the law, they won't try it," she said. = Kids that are broke, won't be trying it. "Decriminalizing the drug will surely increase its availability to our youth and compromise the work done by our rehabilitation and detention centres," said Dr. Christopher Eriksson, CEO of the Art of Healthy Living Inc., in a letter to ReedYes, Its going to compromise all the brainwashing and propaganda of your forced treatment.
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Comment #1 posted by druid on December 27, 2002 at 08:28:12 PT:
blah
"I really think it probably makes sense to decriminalize possession," said Halton MP Julian Reed, who stressed he doesn't condone marijuana use. "The police have a lot more important things to do."When asked if he would support the recommendation he said he supports the concept, but he'll wait to see the bill."I want to see the legislation and be able to establish it does what it is intended to do and does not encourage the drug trade."Why can't these people see The Truth? Anything short of full out legalization is going to encourage the drug trade. Decriminalization will not solve any of the big crime problems we see with current prohibition. It might help out the little guy here and there but it is going to be an impossible job to make sure there is fair and equal enforcement of the new laws if and when they go into effect. The only way to solve both problems is Full Out Legalization.
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