cannabisnews.com: Smoking Out The Law





Smoking Out The Law
Posted by CN Staff on July 21, 2002 at 08:28:04 PT
Editorial
Source: Ottawa Sun 
Pop in to any Ottawa courtroom on any given day and you're bound to hear the sordid stories about how alcohol abuse has led to violence, family breakup and deadly car crashes. You're not nearly as likely to learn marijuana use has been a major factor. At long last, Canada is poised to reform its outdated drug laws and decriminalize the relatively harmless weed. It's about time. 
Marijuana is already being used as a legal pain remedy across the country. Canada's stand has been proudly progressive -- we're the first country to regulate pot for medicinal purposes. The debate to decriminalize it for the general population has been raging for decades. Yet so far no government has been bold enough to take what's essentially a low-risk leap. As politicians dither, police officers have wasted countless hours enforcing relatively petty "crimes." Otherwise law-abiding citizens have been branded criminals for enjoying the occasional joint. The Brits recently relaxed their laws, wisely rejecting the slippery-slope argument that softer drugs lead to harder ones. It's time we all lighten up. We must set aside our unfounded fears and follow the U.K.'s lead. Such a move would undoubtedly free up valuable time and resources so police officers can fight the bigger evils -- like cocaine and heroine. Of course, by giving up the soft-drug battle, we're bound to ignite a war with our tough-on-drugs neighbour to the south. But we would politely remind our U.S. friends that decriminalization does not mean legalization. In our view, an occasional user shouldn't be saddled with a criminal record for what's become a common, socially accepted activity. But there are still unknowns -- and we don't want a public policy that encourages a potentially harmful substance. Before making marijuana legal, we would need to resolve many important health and safety issues. We don't yet know the long-term effects of chronic use. And we don't yet have an effective way of upholding strict non-toking and driving laws. Quizzing politicians on whether they've ever tried smoking weed has become a popular media question that usually makes them squirm. But is anyone ever surprised by their answer? And does anyone really care these days? Medical experts agree health effects from moderate use are minimal. Any potential harm is considered less than the negative impact of prosecuting recreational users. All this leaves little sound reason to continue making marijuana use a criminal act. Just don't let Dr. Robert Cushman or Coun. Alex Munter catch you doing it in a bar. Forget the Criminal Code -- that would break our city's smoking bylaw. Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)Published: July 21, 2002Copyright: 2002 Canoe Limited PartnershipContact: editor sunpub.comWebsite: http://www.fyiottawa.com/ottsun.shtmlRelated Articles & Web Site:Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmCanada: There's a Funny Smell in the Airhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13490.shtmlLight Up, Inhale, Decriminalize http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13456.shtmlWould Softer Pot Law Stir Wrath of U.S.? http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13401.shtml 
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Comment #6 posted by VitaminT on July 22, 2002 at 05:49:56 PT
hey aolbites
Sounds very profitable! But you left out one IMPORTANT thing: Is the subject IMPAIRED? Testing for a substance is BULLSHIT if the person's skills are not impaired!The Drug testing Industry has had it their way for far too long! They got there by paying off politicians (no doubt w/ stock options) that way, when the DRUG WAR PROFITS roll in they'll be right there to collect CHA-CHING!Test for impairment, there is NO JUSTICE in any other approach!
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Comment #5 posted by aolbites on July 21, 2002 at 20:42:20 PT:
no more excuse on the driving while toking thing
key is that they don't detect metabolites - so test is true influence based test for driving/flying etc.
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Comment #4 posted by VitaminT on July 21, 2002 at 09:16:04 PT
It's nice to hear this sort of talk
even though the editorial starts to fizzle a little toward the end. I'll take what I can get considering that things are definitely moving in our direction!On another point RE: H.R.2592This morning I read an article, not widely published, dated May 15, 2002 which criticizes the Bill for what powers it does not deprive the Attorney General of. Here are a few quotations and a link below.Does this bill remove authority from the DEA over cannabis, hemp, marijuana and THC? No.Does this bill remove authority from the U.S. Attorney General to place marijuana back as a schedule "I" drug? Maybe and maybe not. On that particular point, the bill is somewhat vague.Lastly, this bill does not remove marijuana and THC from the controlled substance schedule.The absolute worst part of HR 2592 is that the United States Attorney General, via petition, can possibly reclassify marijuana back to a schedule "I" drug. It appears HR 2592 has no provision for limiting the Attorney General's authority in that regard. Hence, should HR 2592 become law tomorrow (not a very likely prospect though) the AG could conceivably reclassify marijuana back to schedule "I" status the day after. How politically correct. Secondly, THC is not reclassified. Yes, I understand THC is a part of marijuana. However, under the controlled substance schedule, marijuana is one line number and, believe it or not, THC is another. So, under HR 2592, should it pass (snicker), a medical user could use marijuana legally and be arrested for possession and use and transportation of THC. What a bargain. I'll say it again, what a joke.The author of this article is quite strident in his/her language but if what he/she is saying is true I'd say that some important points are being made. I'd sure like to hear the opinions of the good folks on this list especially someone with legislative/ legal experience.Personally, I think that the greatest value of this bill, right now is in getting the debate onto the floor of the house and onto more front pages of newspapers but I'd like also to think that embody some real power if and when it is finally enacted.
What a Joke
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Comment #3 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on July 21, 2002 at 09:13:14 PT
Hear hear
  As Marc Emery said on his Prince of Pot show recently, decriminalization isn't going to make your pot less expensive. Legalization, with no penalties for home-growing, will.
Marc Emery's five conditions for drug peace
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Comment #2 posted by E_Johnson on July 21, 2002 at 08:48:22 PT
Do not decriminalize
It will stop your reform movement in its tracks.Once smokers get a little freedom from prosecution, they seem more than willing to let the growers hang in the wind. Look at California where there has been decriminalization for 25 years and the laws against growing have only gotten tougher in that time without not a peep from the closeted weed smoking public.
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Comment #1 posted by goneposthole on July 21, 2002 at 08:41:32 PT
Go, Canada
Beat some horsesense into those crazy prohibitioists. They have none whatsoever.
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