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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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CN BC: Cannabis Reform Bill Would Increase Penalties for
ccguide Monday 09 Jun 2003 Pubdate: Mon, 02 Jun 2003 Source: Prince George Free Press (CN BC) Copyright: 2003 BC Newspaper Group Contact: Website: http://www.pgfreepress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2135 CANNABIS REFORM BILL WOULD INCREASE PENALTIES FOR GROWERS RCMP Superintendent Steve Leach isn't as down on the proposed new pot laws as some of his counterparts across the country. The boss of the local RCMP detachment is taking a wait-and-see approach to the Cannabis Reform Bill, introduced into Parliament last week. The real impacts of the new law won't be known for some time, he said. And a lot of it depends on how the courts interpret and enforce the law. The two main parts of the bill work from different ends of the drug spectrum: it will decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana and hashish, while at the same time imposing stiffer penalties on those who grow the stuff. Trafficking in drugs will not be affected by the new bill. "You have to look at both ends of it," said Leach. "By decriminalizing it, we hope we're not going to be in a position where these guys are going to have more customers on the street." That said, Leach differed from some law enforcement people who have spoken out against the decriminalization part of the bill. Under the proposed law, possession of less than 15 grams of marijuana will become a ticketing offence, much like a speeding fine. It will come with no criminal record. From 15 to 30 grams, police will have discretion whether to ticket or charge the person criminally. Leach suggested police workloads will be reduced under the new scheme. Currently police rarely lay charges in straight possession cases. But they still must fill out a significant amount of paperwork. Tickets might reduce the volume of paper, said Leach. At the other end, the new regulations governing grow operations "will help us deal more appropriately on the organized crime end of investigations," which, said Leach, are the real problem of the drug trade. Someone found growing up to three plants will face up to a $5,000 fine and 12 months in jail. Four to 25 plants would earn a fine of up to $25,000 and 18 months jail time. Growing 26 to 50 could result in 10 years jail, while having over 50 plants could earn the perpetrator up to 14 years, double the current maximum. The RCMP's main immediate concern with the proposed law is the potential it has for putting more impaired drivers on the road, said Leach. There is currently no reliable test for marijuana, as there is for alcohol. With the decriminalization of small amounts of pot, and the subsequent potential for a rise in usage, Leach said police are worried more people will hit the road after smoking a joint. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake
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