cannabisnews.com: Police Opposed To Ottawa's Marijuana Bill Police Opposed To Ottawa's Marijuana Bill Posted by CN Staff on May 12, 2003 at 07:05:46 PT By The CTV.ca News Staff Source: CTV Police remain opposed to Ottawa's plans to introduce legislation Thursday that will decriminalize marijuana possession for small amounts. Mike Niebudek, the vice-president of the Canadian Police Association, told CTV's Canada AM they are "staunchly against" any sort of ticketing system for marijuana possession, rather than criminal charges. "So far as the legislation is concerned, we're satisfied with what's in the book right now to do the job," Niebudek said. He said that there are certain cases in which he believes criminal charges are necessary. He cited examples such as a father who smokes marijuana in front of his children, or kids who bring drugs to school."I think what's important as well is that we send a clear message to our youth out there, to the children, that smoking marijuana, especially the grade of marijuana in 2003, which is completely different from what was on the market 20-25 years ago, is very dangerous," Niebudek said.He told Canada AM that instead of focusing on the decriminalization of marijuana, Ottawa should establish a national drug strategy "that will address issues such as education, prevention and treatment."Canadian Alliance MP Randy White made similar comments on CTV's Question Period on Sunday."This Liberal government has no national drug strategy. If we're going to decriminalize marijuana ... let's have a national strategy and deal with marijuana, heroine, crack and so on," White said."It's not as simple as just decriminalizing. I want to see what the bill is. I want to see how much the limit is. I want to see what the fines are. I want to see how they're going to collect them because that certainly is a problem," added White.The details of the bill remain a mystery. The Globe and Mail has cited sources who pegged 15 grams as the limit -- which equals about 20 joints -- not 30 grams as previously reported. Anyone possessing that amount would be ticketed and fined under the Contraventions Act.The paper said federal officials decided on 15 grams because the drug has become more potent in recent years.Meanwhile, the Toronto Star quoted sources as saying Ottawa plans to keep simple possession of pot on the books as a criminal offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.B.C. Marijuana Party President Marc Emery told Question Period the outright legalization of marijuana and other illegal drugs is the preferable drug policy."We want an end to organized crime handling these drugs. We want adults and teenagers, if they get these drugs, to know what they're getting," Emery said."We want people out of jails. We want the courts not to be filled with drug crime. We want the streets to be safe. All these things can be accomplished if we legalize marijuana and all the other prohibited drugs," he added.With reports from CTV's Question Period and Canadian Press Source: CTV (Canada)Published: May 12, 2003Copyright: 2003 Bell Globemedia Interactive Inc. Website: http://www.ctv.ca/Contact: newsonline ctv.ca Related Articles & Web Site:B.C. Marijuana Partyhttp://www.bcmarijuanaparty.ca/Details of New Marijuana Bill Eagerly Awaitedhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16257.shtmlPot Law Changes Will Boost Production: Policehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16239.shtmlCops Now Have a Leg Up On Tokers http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16105.shtmlPolice Mellow On Weed http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16077.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #6 posted by potpal on May 15, 2003 at 06:35:03 PT Public servants The police are there to enforce the law not make them... [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by mayan on May 12, 2003 at 17:08:26 PT Real Crime The police would rather arrest non-violent cannabis users & fill out reports all day than have to fight real crime. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by afterburner on May 12, 2003 at 15:38:46 PT: One Prohibitionist to Another. Mike Niebudek, the vice-president of the Canadian Police Association, [David Griffin is the Canadian Police Association's executive officer. The committee report "is nothing more than a back-to-school gift for drug pushers." -Police Chief Slams Legal Pot Plan http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/13/thread13999.shtml ], told CTV's Canada AM they are "staunchly against" any sort of ticketing system for marijuana possession, rather than criminal charges. "So far as the legislation is concerned, we're satisfied with what's in the book right now to do the job," Niebudek said. The people who have gotten jailed and/or received a criminal record are not "satified with what [was] in the book right now." Not only that, because of court challenges, there is actually nothing is "in the book right now"; cannabis users are satisfied with an empty book. Is that what you really are satisfied with Mr. Niebudek? Canadian Alliance MP Randy White is another stauch prohibitionist. He is the uninvited watchdog nipping at Steve Kubby's heels. Marijuana Root of Refugee Issue http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/16/thread16064.shtmlMeanwhile, the Toronto Star quoted sources as saying Ottawa plans to keep simple possession of pot on the books as a criminal offence under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.Stop spreading this fiction. The simple possession of pot is not on the books: it has been declared unconstitutional by the courts. Wishing will not make it constitutional and neither will making statements to the press. Only a change to the law can make simple possession a criminal offence. Point of logic: how can cannabis possession be decriminalized and a criminal offence at the same time? This does not compute!As far as irresponsible behaviour of parents in front of their children--how else would a child know about it to bring it to show and tell--why should all users be punished by punitive sanctions because of the irresponsible behaviour of the few. At least B.C. Marijuana Party President Marc Emery gets the last word in the Canadian Press.ego transcendence follows ego destruction, heart by heart, until eventually there is no problem. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on May 12, 2003 at 12:29:42 PT My Opinion This part of the article bothered me. Is it illegal to have a drink in front of your children? I think that's still legal. Clumping two different issues together like he did isn't helpful. What does one have to do with the other? He said that there are certain cases in which he believes criminal charges are necessary. He cited examples such as a father who smokes marijuana in front of his children, or kids who bring drugs to school. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Big Trees on May 12, 2003 at 12:17:53 PT Is this retard in the dark ages? Its a well know fact that marijuana should not be put in this catagory...marijuana, heroine, crack and so on," White said. How can this bone headed idiot EVEN put marijuana on the same page as Crack? Do we still have people like this in 2003? Did they take a time machine from 1923? God, I though police were here to protect the public interest and not their own self severing bullshit. This guys "white" is just so full of himself and his own non-sence that it hurts. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on May 12, 2003 at 07:06:49 PT Related CTV Videos http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1052743719401_138/?hub=Canada [ Post Comment ] Post Comment