November 3, 2003

Police And Mothers Against Drunk Driving Call For An End To The Race To Pass Marijuana Bill

OTTAWA, ON - In a unified press conference this morning, the Canadian Professional Police Association (CPPA), Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada) joined forces to urge the federal government to stop the race to pass a controversial marijuana bill that is before the House of Commons.

"Why is there such a rush to move forward with the decriminalization of marijuana before a true national drug strategy is fully operational and providing police with the tools they need to do their jobs?", questioned Deputy Chief Mike Boyd, Chair of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police Drug Abuse Committee. "There is nothing in this law that will deter or reduce marijuana use in Canada. Before we change our laws, Canada first needs a fully funded National Drug Strategy that invests in research, enforcement, and innovative prevention and treatment programs. While we are not opposed to the use of alternative measures, such as a ticket, to deal with possession of very small amounts of marijuana, we strongly believe that such measures should instill meaningful, appropriate, and graduated consequences. Police officers should retain the discretion to lay criminal charges where the circumstances warrant. This Bill takes away that discretion."

"To rush this drug legislation without accompanying drug impaired driving legislation is not in the public's best interest", says Andrew Murie, National Executive Director of MADD Canada. "We are urging the government to give the police the authority they need to detect and charge drug impaired drivers prior to loosening the drug possession laws. It is a recipe for trouble on our roads, and MPs need to delay this Bill until the proper public safeguards are in place."

"This government's response to the booming marijuana grow operations problem is seriously flawed and inadequate, said Canadian Professional Police Association (CPPA) President Tony Cannavino. "First and foremost, minimum sentences are required to reinforce the seriousness of this crime. Second, while the CPPA welcomes the proposed increase in sentences for grow operations with more than 25 plants, it believes that the proposed reduced maximum sentences for lower quantities of marijuana plants send conflicting messages to the judiciary. This is occurring at a time when existing sentencing practices are inadequate."

"This government is sending the wrong message to Canadians, particularly our young people," concluded Cannavino. "This law contains too many flaws to be pushed through. This marijuana bill is not what Canada needs right now and we urge Parliament to listen to police and victims, and reject this bill until these issues have been corrected".

For more information, please contact:

Andrew Murie, National Executive Director, MADD Canada
(905) 813-6233, ext. 224 / Cell: (416) 720-7642
Sophie Roux, Communications Officer, Canadian Professional Police Association
(613) 231-4168 / Cell: (613) 299-6516

Background Material -

Authority to Demand Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (PDF)

Authority to Demand A Drug Evaluation and Classification Test (PDF)

Authority to Demand Blood, Urine and Saliva Samples for Drug Testing (PDF)