Diversion is the approach Quebec has taken recently, as has Portugal, where I am at the moment. This approach was adopted in 2000, and it was implemented in 2001. It's been 25 years.
It's definitely a step in the right direction. Decriminalization doesn't prevent the police from intervening. Again, we need to have an informed debate about this. The police do respond here in Portugal. They police cannabis across Canada. There are rules. However, decriminalization creates a grey area that allows the stigma to continue. It's certainly a first step, but it doesn't solve everything. We need to stop condemning decriminalization for things it can't fix.
Since Mr. Doherty put words in my mouth, I'm going to set the record straight. I never said that decriminalization in British Columbia was a success. It's probably better than prohibition, but it's a half measure. It's not enough. It doesn't solve all the problems, but at least it solves some of them.