cannabisnews.com: Police Mellow On Weed Police Mellow On Weed Posted by CN Staff on April 27, 2003 at 10:30:18 PT By Bill Kaufmann, Calgary Sun Source: Calgary Sun A poll showing increasing tolerance among Canadians for liberalized marijuana laws reflects the approach police are forced to take with the drug, said a Calgary Mountie. Local RCMP no longer pursue charges against those caught with small amounts of cannabis, which is consistent with a Sun-commissioned poll indicating significant support for decriminalization and some legalization, said Staff Sgt. Birnie Smith. "The numbers don't surprise me -- I certainly think people want to see decriminalization but not legalization," said Smith, head of the Calgary RCMP drug unit. Because of limited resources, "when we come across people with small amounts, we've made the decision not to arrest them," said Smith, adding his unit concentrates on the larger dealers and organized criminals associated with the drug trade. But the trend towards tolerance is a concern, said a local spokeswoman for the Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission (AADAC). "Marijuana does have negative consequences -- it is an addictive drug and it certainly poses problems," said Karen Hala, manager of AADAC's adult counselling and prevention program. Softening opposition to decriminalization, she said, is partly explained by other more dangerous drugs stealing marijuana's limelight. "People have more awareness of ecstacy, cocaine and heroin," said Hala, adding even society's view of alcohol has grown dimmer compared to that of marijuana. It's debatable how much merit there is in Canadians' reluctance in the survey to view marijuana as a gateway substance to harder drugs, she said, adding research is limited. And she said the survey results showing males are more likely to favour easing marijuana laws is no surprise. "We certainly see more males coming in with marijuana addiction," she said. Calgary medicinal marijuana crusader Grant Krieger said the poll is a backlash against what more and more Canadians see as an overly-harsh application of the law. "Well over half of the population believe if someone is ill they should be able to use marijuana without criminal charges," he said. "There have been families irreparably damaged (by law enforcement)." Note: Local RCMP avoid arrests in smaller cases.Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)Author: Bill Kaufmann, Calgary SunPublished: Sunday, April 27, 2003 Copyright: 2003 The Calgary SunContact: callet sunpub.comWebsite: http://www.fyicalgary.com/calsun.shtmlRelated Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmPot Gap Growing, Says Poll http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16076.shtmlWeed - What's Next? - Winnipeg Sunhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16074.shtml 'Born in Hysteria' - London Free Presshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16073.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by WolfgangWylde on April 28, 2003 at 08:30:09 PT Don't trust Donuts, myself... ...the only reason they're not pursing charges in possession cases is because the Courts are tossing them out left and right. If the Goverment appeals of those cases brings a return to court cases being heard, the Donut crowd will be more than happy to fill the dockets. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Big Trees on April 27, 2003 at 14:36:14 PT Oh how I LOVE that dounut.... :) Funny stuff [ Post Comment ] Post Comment