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The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday June 11, 2003 - A5 Central Air & Furnace S ave* 1 0 0 0 Harrison Smith · Special to the O akville B eaver HANG TIME: M ike W ilkinson catches some a ir on his B M X hike at the SK 8 event sponsored by Dep Sport at the Shell /·irk Skateboard P a rk on Sunday. The event also featured Dep product demos, prize givaw ays and a chance to p ar ticipate in the Tony H aw k X B O X challenge. Police chief airs concerns about pot law Proposed federal legislation needs stronger anti-drug message: Algar Robb Swybrous S P E C IA L TO T H E B E A V E R The federal government's pro posed changes to marijuana legis lation through the Cannabis Reform B ill represent steps in the right direction, says Ean Algar. Halton's police chief. But the region's top cop has some serious concerns about aspects of the pmposed legislation. " I like some of the things the government put forward but I'd like to see that it all comes togeth er where the message is it isn't good to take drugs, drugs are still bad," Algar said. The Cannabis Reform B ill was announced late last month by Martin Cauchon. federal justice minister. If passed, the bill would introduce softer penalties for pos sessing small amounts of the drug and increase penalties for growing operations. Those caught in possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana will be issued a ticket and not be charged criminally. Fines differ for adults and minors. The maximum amount an adult can be fined is S I50. while minors younger than 18 w ill get a $UX) ticket and their parents/caregivers w ill be informed. Fines jump to $300 for adults and $200 for youths for cannabis resin (hashish) possession. Fines increase based on aggra vating factors. For instance if someone is caught with less than 1 5 grams of pot while committing an indictable offence or driving a vehicle, the fines jump to $400 for adults and $250 for minors. Police w ill be allowed to use discretion in deciding whether to ticket or charge a person caught possessing 15-30 grams of pot. Fines for adults in this situation would be $300. while minors thinking pot is a harmless narcotic. "W e had recommended it be a smaller amount (because) of increased potency." he said. "The active ingredient used to be about two per cent. Now it's up to some where in the neighbourhood of 15 per cent. So it's more active as far as the psychotic effect of the drug." The chief is pleased the legisla tion aims to severely punish those who grow marijuana but savs more still needs to be done to convince growers it s not worth it for them to manufacture drags. " I would hope the courts recog nize the severity and profit poten tial and the courts give sentences that are more meaningful," he said. " We have to work to present that information to the courts but in turn the courts have to put out sen tences that take away the profit effect of this. We re talking several millions of dollars here in Halton alone." Algar is also concerned that lax possession charges could increase pot use and in turn potentially increase impaired driving occur rences. Halton's health department has not taken an official stance on the proposed legislation. Josee Coum. manager of the department's injury, violence and substance abuse pre vention program, said Halton is instead focusing on informing resi dents of the potential health risks associated with drug use. "Our position is people should have information that marijuana is not harmless." she said. That message plus promoting an anti-smoking and driving policy and informing residents of the potential dangers of mixing pot with alcohol form the crux of the department's health policy on pot. The federal government hopes to pass the new bill by the end of the vear. If you have a news tip o r sto ry idea, call th e O akville Beaver at 8 4 5 -3 8 2 4 . F in a n c in g A v a ila b le a s lo w a s $ 3 0 /m th O AC "See store lor detials A IR E ONE NEW LOCATION 3 1 0 -H E A T I UPPER MD 0LL 1505 Guelph Line 970 Upper James St. (in the Food Basics Plaza. Burlington) 905 385-2800. (south of Mohawk) 905 335-2665 · 905 335-9600 TABRICLAND GIGANTIC STORE-WIDE ONE DAY SALE SATURDAY, JUNE 14TH Halton Regional Police Chief Ean Algar would be ticketed for $200. Maximum sentencing for a sum mary criminal conviction in these cases would be six months in jail and/or a fine up to $1,000. Those who nin hydroponic growing operations - a phenome na that has become increasingly popular in Halton over the past two years - could really be hit by the new law. 'Hie new legislation cre ated different offences depending on the size of the growing opera tion. · growing 1-3 plants could net a suspect a fine of up to $5.(XX) and/or a year in jail; · growing 4-25 plants could net a suspect a fine of up to $25,000 and/or 18 months in jail: · growing 26-50 plants could result in a 10-year jail sentence; · growing more than 50 plants could result in a sentence of up to 14 years in jail. Algar likes that the federal gov ernment is acting to reduce demand for drugs but is less than thrilled with the proposed legislation for a number of reasons. He said police hoped the decriminalized amount (15 grams) would be less and says people shouldn't be fooled into INVENTORY BLOWOUT! $ STOCK!' SEi£C7ioJr",> 4 0 -6 6 % OFF OUR REGULAR PRICES O N ALM O ST I #BUl(UorunH,Gr E V E R Y T H IN G IN THE STORE! 5.49 each ONLY JUNE 9-15 ONLY Entire In-store Stock! JUNE 16-22 ONLY Entire In-store Stock! VOGUE PATTERNS Individually priced. BUTTERICK PATTERNS Individually priced. Offer valid Ju n e 16-22. 2003 only. Not valid with any other discount offers. ONLY Offer valid Ju n e 9-15. 2003 only. Not valid with any other discount offers. 2.99 each Excluding promotional goods & ends. Sale In effect til June 30.2003. at participating locations. X. T H A V S4 F O RTheP9tct Of I / SAVING SO F OPEN SUNDAYS 12-5 140 Rebecca St. OAKVILLE 844-7728 'Excluding promobonol gooda 4 end* Sale in affect one day only. Saturday. J u n e 14. 2003. for valtd Sawing Club Member* only. Not a m em ber" M emberahipa for the balance of our mam bet* hip year still on tale Details irvatore. 1 * Mxronli pass to iVftj Thurs., June X L. 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