POLICE MELLOW ON WEED

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, ******* and ******," 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)."



Pubdate: Sunday, April 27, 2003
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Contact: callet@sunpub.com
Website: http://www.fyicalgary.com/calsun.shtml
Author: Bill Kaufmann