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News In Brief
By admin | November 11, 2004
Associated Press
Oct. 11, 2004.
The Liberal government’s bid to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana faces growing resistance from police, American officials and opposition politicians.
Critics — including those wielding the powerful threat of Canada-U.S. trade hold-ups — have taken aim at related legislation reintroduced by the minority Liberals.
A previous bill died when the federal election was called in the spring.
From quantity limits to enforcement and training, police across Canada have major concerns, says the head of the Canadian Professional Police Association.
“It’s putting the cart before the horse,” said president Tony Cannavino, representing 54,000 officers and members.
“The government should have started first of all with a national drug strategy instead of going forward with a bill decriminalizing marijuana,” he said Wednesday in an interview. “It’s sending the wrong message to kids.”
The association does not believe anyone caught with one or two joints should get a criminal record, Cannavino stressed. “We think it’s exaggerated.”
But police have big problems with a bill that would fine adults $150 and minors $100 for possessing up to 15 grams, he said. “That represents between 30 and 50 joints of marijuana.”
Police also want to see automatic minimum sentences of five to seven years for big-time growers, Cannavino says.
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