Majority
of MPs support decriminalizing marijuana, says Keith Martin
Updated: Wed, Nov 07 7:18 PM EST
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Canadian Alliance MP Keith Martin says
a majority of federal politicians,
including Liberals, support his
private member’s bill calling for
the decriminalization of marijuana.
(CP /Jonathan Hayward) (CP) |
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OTTAWA (CP) - Canadian Alliance MP Keith Martin says a
majority of federal politicians, including Liberals, support
his private member's bill calling for the decriminalization of
marijuana. "I think the government will be open to
it," Martin, a medical doctor, said before MPs began
debating the bill Wednesday.
Bill C-344 would impose a system of fines - up to $1,000 -
rather than criminal penalties for possession of small amounts
of pot.
Last month, the federal government said it will allow an open
vote on the subject, which will come at a later date. However,
private members bills rarely pass in the House of Commons.
Martin said about two-thirds of MPs have expressed support
for his bill , and recent polls have shown a wide majority of
Canadians also want decriminalization.
He also said he expects many open minds on the Liberal
benches, especially since the federal government approved the
use of medicinal marijuana this year.
Both Justice Minister Anne McLellan and Health Minister
Allan Rock have said it's time to discuss whether Canada's
drug laws are outdated.
"I know we can't wait any longer," said Martin,
adding he does not support legalizing the drug.
Other countries that have adopted a similar strategy have
not seen drug use increase, he said, and have been able to
redeploy police resources to fight crime in other areas.
In Canada, the move could save $150 million on court costs
annually, Martin claimed.
"Today, post-Sept. 11, when we're trying to find money
to go after terrorists and to use to go after more serious
villains such as organized crime gangs we have to find money
somewhere."
Canada's police chiefs and the RCMP have come out in favour
of decriminalization, although they say Martin's bill goes too
far by lowering some existing fines.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal has called on
Ottawa to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of
marijuana for personal use.
A small number of Canadians have obtained special permits
to use cannabis to relieve the symptoms of cancer, AIDS,
multiple sclerosis or epilepsy.
For anyone else, simple possession is a criminal offence.
The idea has come under fire from the Canadian Police
Association, which represents over 30,000 officers across the
country.
Among MPs, Tory Leader Joe Clark has said he supports
decriminalization of marijuana in small amounts.
Both Commons and Senate committees are currently examining
non-medical drug use in Canada.
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