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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Canada: Liberals Among Bill's Harshest Opponents
ccguide Saturday 31 May 2003 Pubdate: Wed, 28 May 2003 Source: Toronto Star (CN ON) Copyright: 2003 The Toronto Star Contact: Website: http://www.thestar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456 Author: Valerie Lawton, Ottawa Bureau Note: With files from The Star's Gavin Taylor and Canadian Press Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) LIBERALS AMONG BILL'S HARSHEST OPPONENTS One Calls Drug Strategy 'Pitiful, Irresponsible' The Message From Canada's Youth? Mellow Out, Man OTTAWA--The Liberal government's plan to decriminalize pot is under attack from many fronts -- police, anti-drunk driving campaigners, doctors, political opponents and even its own backbench argue it falls short. Liberal MP Dan McTeague unleashed a scathing assessment of his own party's drug strategy yesterday, using words like "pitiful" and "irresponsible." "There are obviously some serious deficiencies with this bill," said McTeague, who represents the riding of Pickering-Ajax-Uxbridge. He listed many complaints, arguing that lifting criminal sanctions may lead young people to believe "this is really removal of the stigma of the product." "The message (of the legislation) I think sends the wrong message to young children across this country," he said. McTeague also argued the bill should have included mandatory blood sampling of drivers suspected of drug impairment but appears to be "deliberately deficient" on roadside testing. He criticized the lack of minimum sentences or mandatory sentencing for marijuana growers, calling the government's proposals to increase penalties a "rather pitiful response" to a rapidly increasing problem. As well, he worried Canada could take a major economic hit if U.S. concerns about the legislation result in border tie-ups. "People who lose their livelihoods will be pointing to members of Parliament like myself, who unlike the Prime Minister will be running in the next election," said McTeague, who is a staunch supporter of Paul Martin in the contest to replace Jean Chretien as Liberal leader. Other Liberals are also voicing concerns. "They've put the cart before the horse," said MP Brenda Chamberlain (Guelph-Wellington.) She argues the government must set up extensive education programs on the dangers of pot smoking and establish roadside testing for marijuana impairment before contemplating decriminalization. Mothers Against Drunk Driving wants the government to delay passing the legislation until the law is changed to allow police to effectively deal with drug-impaired drivers. "This is a public safety issue," said Marjory Lebretton, national vice-chair of the group and a Tory senator. "Impaired driving was given very short shrift. The government is moving forward with this decriminalization legislation and they are leaving the police at a disadvantage when attempting to enforce drug-impaired driving." The Canadian Police Association shares the concern that its officers won't be able to pull off the road drivers they suspect are impaired by pot. "My concern as a parent, as a driver, is what happens when that person leaves?" said David Griffin, the group's executive officer. "And, for the police officer, who is going to support that police officer when that driver goes down the road and kills somebody else and it's determined that the person was highly impaired by drugs, yet the officer didn't have the tools to intervene? "We're concerned that we're sending a message to young people: Don't drink and drive, toke and drive." A senior justice department official acknowledged that testing of drug-impaired drivers is a "difficult issue." He said police are having some success with using specially trained drug recognition officers to identify drivers on drugs and added that the federal government is working with provinces to improve how that evidence can be introduced in court. Police cited other concerns with the bill, such as the fact the penalty doesn't increase for anyone who is repeatedly found to be in possession of small amounts of marijuana. In Toronto, Deputy Police Chief Michael Boyd, speaking on behalf of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, said he was concerned it would undercut the ability of police officers to use their discretion in enforcing drug laws. "For under 15 grams, it removes the option for police officers to be able to charge someone where those circumstances are appropriate and to put them before the courts" to receive drug treatment, Boyd said. Toronto Police Chief Julian Fantino said the drug strategy sends a mixed message, decriminalizing marijuana use "at a time when the combined efforts of all levels of government seem to be focused on creating healthier lifestyles, preventing smoking, getting people off drugs and prolonging life." The message from Canada's youth? Mellow out, man. "Smoking pot is good," said 15-year-old Selia, a Montreal high school student who said she's been using marijuana for nearly three years. Selia and her schoolmate Tesy -- they refused to give their last names - -- both said their biggest concern about decriminalization is that it could lead to higher prices and poorer quality pot. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake
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