cannabisnews.com: Committee Invites Advice on Legalizing Marijuana Committee Invites Advice on Legalizing Marijuana Posted by CN Staff on June 04, 2002 at 09:46:58 PT By Deborah Thomas, The Telegram Source: The Telegram A Senate committee studying illegal drugs made its way to Mount Pearl Monday looking for answers. The committee, which is stopping in only five cities across the country, will prepare a senate report that will look at decriminalizing marijuana use in Canada. RCMP Sgt. Jim Power presented his view to the committee, chaired by Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, and was adamant he, and the other members of the RCMP, do not support legalizing marijuana in any way. He suggested that before the RCMP would even consider supporting the issue many things would have to happen, such as a national drug policy review, research determining the effect on the justice and policing systems, and the implementation of an effective legislation enabling testing measures and detection for drivers. “In Newfoundland and Labrador the most popular illicit drug is marijuana,” he said. “What message are we sending to youth as we try to educate them on the harms of drugs while changing the laws to legalize?” Power told the committee, which includes senators Tommy Banks and Ethel Cochrane, that marijuana is everywhere in this province. There are several grow operations which he said are getting more and more sophisticated every day. “It is easy to get in the schools and on the street,” he said. In his presentation to the senate committee, Power said the Association of Canadian Police Chiefs supported the RCMP’s position on the issue. However, in April 1999 that association came out and asked the federal government to consider decriminalizing simple possession of marijuana and hashish. Dr. Bill McKim is a professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland, who lectures on the topic of drugs and behaviour. He presented a more philosophical approach. McKim, author of Drugs and Behavior — now in it’s fifth printing — spoke of the correlation to drug use and the way one lives his or her life. “The way the brain is, drugs are attractive and we are drawn to repeat acts (like that), anyone who smokes knows that,” he said. “It increases power over them and the drug itself is not the issue.” Banks quizzed both on their thoughts regarding research and whether or not it was the government’s responsibility to pay for it. Both agreed before any decisions were made, extensive testing and research would have to be done to study the effects of the drug on the body, and on a society. The only member of the public to express an opinion was retired economist Gerald Royce. He expressed concerns over the stigma surrounding marijuana and what it can do to the employability of a person. The committee continues this morning with expert testimony relating to the issue. The committee’s report will be released to the public in August. Source: Telegram, The (CN NF)Author: Deborah Thomas, The Telegram Published: June 4, 2002Copyright: 2002 The TelegramContact: letters thetelegram.comWebsite: http://www.thetelegram.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmRCMP Officer Testify Against Decriminalizing Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13044.shtmlCanada: The Debate Over Decriminalization http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12697.shtmlShould We Treat Pot Like Tobacco? Senators Ask http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12696.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #16 posted by dddd on June 05, 2002 at 08:08:21 PT ..........Richard Lake............ ..........Right On Brother!..............dddd [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by Richard Lake on June 05, 2002 at 07:39:45 PT: We need LEOs to speak out! LEOs who speak out, both for or against us, help us.Those who speak out against help open the debate - and because folks listen, they are superb targets for critical responses - letters to the editor, etc. We need to only point out that they are saying what they say to protect their jobs.In the documents Dan Forbes obtained about the prohibitionist cabal at http://www.ips-dc.org/projects/drugpolicy/ohio.htm the gang states that LEOs speaking against Prop 36 did more harm than good. Folks naturally question LEOs when it appears they are talking form self-interest.On the other hand, when LEOs speak against what would appear to be their natural interest folks really take notice. They become powerful voices for us.One need look only at Canada and the United Kingtom, some LEOs and their organizaions are leading the way towards change. Without them, serious change would not be on the table.While the voices of LEOs for us may be few now, we need to give them all the support we can. We need these voices to grow in number. We need them to bring about change. It will not happen without them.We need to encourage folks like Detroit Police Chief Jerry Oliver http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1617/a01.html and Colorado Sheriff Bill Masters http://www.mapinc.org/people/Bill+Masters to speak out.That is one of the activities of members of the Drug Policy Forums of Michigan and Colorado.Join us! Links to State Email Discussion Lists [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by Jose Melendez on June 05, 2002 at 06:38:19 PT the mesage to kids “What message are we sending to youth as we try to educate them on the harms of drugs while changing the laws to legalize?”The message will be that alcohol and tobacco are adngerous deadly addictive drugs an that cannabis is relatively benign, was prohibited immorally and very likely illegally. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by qqqq on June 05, 2002 at 06:19:57 PT ....Law Enforcement Officers... ......It's easily understandable why a person would hate LEOs,,,,they are very hate-able.....But....I have come to a different view of LEOs ....I decided that the LEOs of todays world,are very similar to members of a cult!...consider the average person who would decide to become a cop.Many of them have military backgrounds,so they are already endoctrinated to a chain of command,and obedience to superiors....but even those without a military background must go through the 'Police Academy' training...These training program vary throughout the country,but here in LA ,the police academy is alot like military bootcamp,(This is according to an ex-cop I met at an art gallery show.)...The officers training involves a principle of looking at the general public as "them",and cops as,"us"... This is also a basic principle for forming a religious cult,,seperating the members of the group/cult,from everyone else who is not a member of the group..This sort of training tends to give cops an attitude towards people who are not cops...Alot of people who choose to become LEOs,are good ,stable people who need a career,,but there is another group of people who become LEOs because they thrive on the power of authority,or they may find the idea of being a 'law enforcer',gives them a cure for various insecuritys like stature, (heighth) ,intelligence, ,etc... ..When you think about it,,a person who becomes an LEO must maintain a certain level of authoritarian demeanor,,and that is the whole problem...While alot of LEOs adjust to the new feeling of superiority that comes with the job ,many others do not adjust to their positions in a healthy manner...In fact,,there are alot of really scary,brutal,shithead LEOs out there,,,but,,the point I wanted to make,,is that they are not all "bad" people. Alot of cops are just doing the job they are paid to do,and it is not fair to say that they are all assholes...after all,,it's really not an easy job..especially being a big city cop nowdays.....But,,,then again,there are many different types of LEOs,and the ones who go into the swat/drug part ,,have a tendency to be even more brainwashed,and fervent in their natziesque hate of "drug offenders"....They are required to be arrogant ,brutal soldiers in their quest to bust "the bad guys",,,,unfortunatly,,Marijuana users are using a substance that is officially in the same category as heroin and meth......... ....anyway,,,I dont blame Dankhank for his bitter outlook towards LEOs,,,but I think Richard Lake is right in taking a more balanced view...LEOs are not necessarily the ones who are to blame...It's true that there are many LEO shitheads,,,but when it comes down to getting really pissed,,I think that the ones who make the laws are far more deserving of the blame.....there are alot of LEOs,who are nice,good people of integrity,,and there are alot of LEOs who have been trained like some kind of hunting dog-moonies,,and they are now psycho-freaks who find pleasure in their authoritarian superiority/brutality complex! ,,and of course there are shades of gray in between. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Dankhank on June 05, 2002 at 04:20:03 PT: Don't Care Didn't dis them, said I don't care what they say ...There aren't enough of them to get around ...Will be happy to have THEM shut up as part of the process to have ALL of them shut up. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by Richard Lake on June 04, 2002 at 21:05:32 PT: Please don't dis our friends! Comment #3 posted by Dankhank on June 04, 2002 at 10:21:22 PT stated:"I do not care WHAT a LEO says, even if he is that most rare of birds ... pro legalization."You may not, Dankhank, but many of us know well LEOs that are our friends.A quick check shows a number of c-news items about Gil Puder, Constable with the Vancouver City Police, who I counted as a good friend, for example.See also: In Memorium - Gil Puder - Only the Good Die Young by Ethan Nadelmann and Eugene Oscapella at: http://www.drugsense.org/dsw/1999/ds99.n124.html#sec1 And I bet you didn't even know about the LEO organization - again led by friends I know - that is clearly on our side. LEOs from all over. Police Officers for Drug Law Reform [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Floyd on June 04, 2002 at 14:30:49 PT: Did someone say budget protection? One thing that I think is more of a concern to the police both Canadian and American than the welfare of the people themselves would be the annual budget =) Keep in mind that when Marijuana is decriminalized in Canada, the drug enforcement budget will probably plunge, and we all know they cant live without their donuts. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by p4me on June 04, 2002 at 12:34:35 PT unrelated stuff a daim bramaged person would not have left out in their first comment.Bovernor Bill Owens signed a reform law on property seizures. http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/home/article/0,1299,DRMN_1_1181308,00.htmlRichard Cowan for June 3 talked about the new coffeeshop to open in Scotland's capital and the challenge they issued government to try it and see what happens instead of speculation of what might happen. http://www.marijuananews.com/At http://www.cannabisnow.org/frames.html?menu.html&help.html they have Day 46 displayed for Robin Prosser's fast. That is totally unbelievable. Well, in sympathy for your efforts I commit myself to losing 46 pounds between now and New Years. I admit my interest are selfish and even then I would weigh 200 pounds which is plenty heavy for a man my age. You have inspired me to some action Robin as selfish as it may be. I just wish Robin would take a vacation to Amsterdam if possible and end her fast. She has done the work of dozens of good intentioned reformers already and she is much more valuable to the cause alive and talking and voting than she is dying. If the Extremist have a calender you need to be around for the pictures there Robin and you can chose your own month.Have a couple of thrifty meals Robin.VAAI,POW [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by TroutMask on June 04, 2002 at 12:20:12 PT Thanks! Thanks for that link. But I was actually looking for transcripts of the testimony given by witnesses at the current ongoing public discussions similar to what Turmel is reporting. I should have made that clearer. It is great to read through the previous Senate testimony. After reading through the Senate testimony and the ensuing report, it is hard to imagine they would not decrim in Canada. But not *too* hard.-TM [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Naaps on June 04, 2002 at 11:46:50 PT Your Link, Troutmask http://www.parl.gc.ca/common/Committee_SenHome.asp?Language=E&Parl=37&Ses=1&comm_id=85This link is for the Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs which contains all the transcripts, as well as background information of the invited speakers. I consider this site very extensive, there’s enough witnesses and testimony to keep a thoroughly interested person reading for weeks.The goal of the Senate Committee is to be rigorous and transparent. In other words, they want to establish the actual consequences of using cannabis based on rigorous science. Second, they want their findings to be available to the public. The thrust is to establish some truth in the debate, removing the falsehoods and lies, then allowing people to be properly informed. I’m confident that they can accomplish these goals.What happens with their report in August remains to be seen. Possibly it could languish, joining the Le Dain Commission report, or alternatively, Canadians could embrace the findings and demand change. Nonetheless, it will remain a thorough reference for those keen on evaluating the motives and testimony of a wide range of witnesses. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on June 04, 2002 at 11:17:13 PT About Police Opinions My sister was a Deputy Sheriff for over 20 years. Her opinion of issues weren't discussed not even with all of us. It was a job and she had 8 children to help raise and that is how it was. Now she speaks about her feelings about different laws but when she was working all she did was her job. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by masscrusader on June 04, 2002 at 11:16:10 PT Just had to drop this link http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1039/a08.html?397Very short and true [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by VitaminT on June 04, 2002 at 11:11:44 PT I agree with you Dank An officer can and should express his/her opinion on any and all issues. But when they put on the uniform and punch the timeclock it's time to get to work. Persuading politicians or the general public to any side in a debate is NOT part of the job description. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Dankhank on June 04, 2002 at 10:21:22 PT: New Argument? Don't know if I have heard this one bandied about much so here goes:I demand that ALL law enforcement personnel immediately cease and desist defending the War on Some Drugs. It should be obvious to all that they can comment on crime, what causes it, how to deal with it, but are uniquely unqualified to speak to whether a law should BE written or not. I do not care WHAT a LEO says, even if he is that most rare of birds ... pro legalization.It is for others to decide what policing does to the general public and whether that is desirable.So, once again, clearly, "RCMP shut the hell up, do your job, and we will tell you what that job is ..." Hemp N Stuff ... [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by p4me on June 04, 2002 at 10:17:01 PT You tell us “In Newfoundland and Labrador the most popular illicit drug is marijuana,” he said. “What message are we sending to youth as we try to educate them on the harms of drugs while changing the laws to legalize?” You are there to testify and not ask questions. Which if you ask a question you surely ought to throw some kind of answer at it. Since Troutmask brought up a source for news in Canada, I will mention http://www.bcmarijuanaparty.ca/ That link would be the homepage and it carries cannabis news and on the left second from the bottom is the forums link. You can read there, as in this recent thread, about how people think the RCMP is eaten up with corruption: http://www.cannabisculture.com/cgi/www5.4.4/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=prince&Number=254359&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart= The forums are not all that lively and if you request information someone will probably help you out with a link. ICBS,VAAI,POW [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by TroutMask on June 04, 2002 at 09:57:41 PT Anyone know where to find... Transcripts from these meetings???The only information I can find is from Ray Turmel's posts here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MedPot/messagesIt'd sure be nice if there was a place to get complete transcripts of the meetings. Except hearing all the re-hashed prohibition garbage might make me ill.Interestingly, the judge who heard Turmel's last arguments still has reserved his(?) opinion on whether the prohibition of marijuana in Canada has ended. I wish he(?) would make a decision so I can get some sleep :)-TM [ Post Comment ] Post Comment