If you get caught with a tiny amount of marijuana in Canada, you may not be deemed to be a criminal. The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police has plans to introduce issuing tickets for possessing marijuana. The allowed limit is expected to be 30 grammes.

The practice of issuing tickets is believed to make an officer more prepared to deal with any illegal or inappropriate behaviour, according to Jim Chu, president of the association.

On the other hand, the practice is no way intended to encourage the use of pot. The association is not in favour of legalising marijuana, not yet. They are not in support of decriminalisation either. The practice is rather an attempt to approach the demands of the offence in a more considerate manner in accordance with the legal system of the country

The present legislation restricts a police officer to a couple of choices only while dealing with an offender possessing cannabis. The offender can either be cautioned or charged for the offense, which results in a lengthier and more difficult procedure.

If proven, the offender is bound to face criminal charges, according to Canadian law. This does not help the legal system as thousands of people are getting involved in criminal charges due to the possession of marijuana.

On the other hand, the officers cannot ignore the number of joints made of a certain amount of marijuana possessed by an offender. The limit of 30 grammes may be equal to around 30 joints. That is why it is critically important to hold the right of laying criminal charges even if the practice of ticketing gets approved.

The ticketing, however, may increase law enforcement. Police officers do not generally get enough time to pursue any criminal charges, following the legal system at the court.

If an officer has to deal with an offense like the possession of marijuana, he may shy away from the same as he is believed to have a hectic schedule to deal with more important issues. The practice of ticketing is going to ease that pressure.