Specifically, in terms of the proposal put forward by the Chiefs of Police, CCSA would agree with the fact that we don't need to criminalize simple possession.
I think the issue of ticketing is interesting, in the sense that if we look at some of the successes around drinking and driving, what we saw at the time—and what has resulted in a change in behaviour—is the convergence of a few things: one, a clear regulatory regime; two, clear prevention messaging—don't drink and drive—; and three, societal attitudes.
Currently, we have a law that is not being applied. A law that's not being applied isn't much of a law. The severity of the law is not so important as the certainty with which it will be applied. A ticketing approach, in terms of providing a reasonable infraction and notice to people who are in possession would be certainly consistent with how we treat alcohol.
Today, if people are stopped in a park, and they have an open bottle of alcohol and a joint, the person with the alcohol will get a ticket. Having a consequence for cannabis use is appropriate and we would support that. Also, it has to be teamed with appropriate prevention messaging and clear access to resources for not only parents but youth. Access to treatment is an important element as well. We also need to measure what is, in fact, the import or the effect of any policy shift in this regard.