Sending the wrong message: Chief Davies

Canadian law currently allows for marijuana use by people suffering from debilitating illnesses, and while there have been calls by some for decriminalization of the substance, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau called for federal legalization of marijuana at an appearance in Vancouver July 25.

Trudeau claimed that while he does not encourage use of the substance, he said if marijuana is controlled, regulated and taxed, revenues generated by its sale would lead to the development of a medical marijuana industry and also curb its use by young people by requiring them to produce proof of age if attempting to purchase it.

Trudeau’s political opponents and pundits will almost certainly discuss the Liberal leader’s view well into the next federal election campaign in 2015.

The governing Conservatives have slammed the idea of marijuana legalization or decriminalization, while the NDP supports its decriminalization.

On the local law enforcement level, Sault Ste. Marie Police Service Chief Bob Davies has shared his view of the issue with SooToday.com. 

“I do have concerns if this product was legalized and I think it sends the wrong message to society in general, especially young people,” Davies told us.

“If it is legalized and made socially acceptable, we’re going to have a lot more users out there and I can see that having a compound effect on development of our youth and what we’re trying to tell them.”

“It could lead them into other drugs down the road, which is going to have a lot of safety and health concerns for our community.”

Davies added he is concerned about the effect of marijuana’s legalization on public safety.

“If it’s legalized, with no controls over it, I’m concerned about traffic enforcement and impairment.”

Pointing to the existing concerns over drinking and driving, Davies said: “It’s much more difficult for us to enforce when it comes to drugs, and marijuana in particular, as far as measuring and determining at what level impairment is.”

“It’s going to be very hard for us to police and enforce, and as a result, we’re going to have a lot of people driving when their ability to drive is impaired by drugs.”

Stating “I’ve listened to all the debates,” Davies said: “A lot of people say if you do legalize marijuana it’s going to take care of organized crime.  That didn’t happen with tobacco.”

“You can go out and buy cigarettes, but there’s still a huge profit to be made in the illegal cigarettes that are being smuggled into Canada.”

Davies added: “I think it would be even worse with marijuana.”

“There are still going to be people selling it cheaper than what the government, or whoever, can sell it legally.  There is still going to be the organized crime component and we’re going to have to deal with those consequences.”

Davies said he is not as uncomfortable with the concept of marijuana’s decriminalization.

With decriminalization, a user would not be prosecuted and left with a criminal record for possession and use of small amounts of the substance.  

Davies told us: “When I look at Police resources right now, the cost of policing and what our priorities are, we’re not targeting the individual who uses it occasionally for their own personal reasons, it’s far too costly for us to do that.”

He added City Police tend to lay charges when possession of marijuana is linked to another offence, such as drunk driving, or violent crime.

“When I look at the drug problems here in Sault Ste. Marie, the main street drug out there is cocaine.  We’re targeting the individuals that are making a profit from that, bringing in kilos of it and selling it on the street.”

Still, as things currently stand, possession of any amount of marijuana, other than for medical purposes, remains a criminal offence.

Davies reiterated “we continue to target those that are selling marijuana in large quantities and making a profit on it.”

Davies added local officers will certainly clamp down in response to concerns raised by school officials regarding any marijuana use by students on school property when classes resume in September.