May 13, 2003

Decriminalizing Cannabis - "They've got the cart before the horse"

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Canada is calling on MPs to block the Justice Minister's Bill decriminalizing of cannabis until proper laws are put into place that will allow police to enforce drug impaired driving. The national organization circulated a copy of a letter it sent to Justice Minister Martin Cauchon in which it detailed the steps that needed to be taken to ensure Canadians' safety from drug impaired driving.

Andrew Murie, MADD Canada's National Executive Director, says, "The Government is aware of the legislation that will provide police with the tools to effectively detect and charge drug impaired drivers, and they have no intention to introduce this legislation. Public safety should be priority and it appears the Justice Minister and Prime Minister have got the cart before the horse."

"The Government must consider the significant repercussions relating to impaired driving should cannabis be decriminalized and its use increase. It has not considered how to minimize the harm this legislation will cause," adds Mr. Murie.

MADD Canada set out a number of issues that would need to be addressed in parallel to any action to decriminalize cannabis. MADD Canada asked the Justice Minister to ensure that:

* there is an equivalent of the Criminal Code 253 (b) per se offence for individuals who are impaired by drugs;
* where Health Canada issues an exemption for the use of cannabis for medical reasons, there be given clear instructions not to drive while under the influence of this drug;
* enforcement officers across the country be given proper training in the drug recognition evaluation program; and,
* direction be sent to provincial attorney generals on the intent of the Federal Government's actions and what it means regarding the Federal Government's stand on impaired driving.

In a Mother's Day Report on the Federal Parliament, MADD Canada reported that this issue was discussed in its meetings with MPs last week. The report states: 'In many meetings there were questions regarding the impending cannabis legislation. MADD Canada is against any decriminalization of drugs until the proper measures are put into place to effectively deal with drugs and driving. Already in Canada, drugs and the mixture of drugs and alcohol cause far too many deaths on our roads. It would be irresponsible to decriminalize without giving the police the roadside testing measures they need to detect and charge drug impaired drivers. For more on MADD Canada's position on drugs and impaired driving, see Louise Knox's statements in MADD Canada's September 2002 media release.'

One of the pieces of legislation MADD Canada has been urging Parliament to consider involves the police being better able to deal with drug impaired driving situations. 'If a police officer reasonably suspects that a driver is impaired by a drug, drugs, or a combination of alcohol and drugs, the officer should be authorized to demand that the driver participate in a test under the Drug Evaluation and Classification Program.'

For more information, see letter attached, and/or call:

Andrew Murie, MADD Canada's National Executive
1-800-665-6233