cannabisnews.com: Police Increasingly Turn Blind Eye To Smoking Police Increasingly Turn Blind Eye To Smoking Posted by CN Staff on July 21, 2002 at 10:09:12 PT By Mark Spector, Journal Staff Writer Source: Edmonton Journal With some of the world's strongest marijuana coming from British Columbia's fertile interior, and a growing police indifference towards small scale, social dope smoking, it's never been a better summer for Edmontonians to light a joint without fear of getting busted."I don't think there's a heck of a lot of focus on guys who are smoking joints anymore," admits an Edmonton drug unit detective, who did not want his name used. "If you're doing it in the privacy of your own home -- you're not producing it or trafficking in it -- it's unlikely an arrest will ensue," echoes local criminal defence lawyer Ed O'Neill.As the federal justice minister tested the waters earlier this week on cannabis decriminalization -- a ticket and fine for possession of small amounts, with no criminal record attached -- Alberta's agencies policing the recreational use and cultivation of marijuana are under siege from all directions.Decriminalization in Alberta would have implications from a national law enforcement perspective, where it could weaken Crown cases elsewhere. And then there's the black market, where some of the best marijuana in the world grows across the unguarded border in B.C.In years past, the best pot had to be imported from California, Mexico and Colombia, posing far greater hurdles for smugglers. Hashish, the other form of cannabis, most often comes from northern Africa and Afghanistan, and is often smuggled through Quebec.After setting up CheckStops just inside the Jasper National Park gates between Feb. 9 and 11, 2000, Hinton and Edson RCMP confiscated five kilograms of cocaine and about 23 kilograms of marijuana worth an estimated $820,000.That's more contraband in three days than Hinton had seen in 12 years."If pot is coming from anywhere, it's coming from B.C.," said the drug unit detective."You don't get stuff from Mexico -- there's no money in it. No percentage in shipping it all that way. The stuff in B.C. is better chemically. It's higher quality."And with a little experience, that same B.C. bud can be grown for personal use in a pot on the balcony.Mail-order seed companies operating across the Rockies sell everything from Northern Lights No. 5, to the Cannabis Cup winner from 1994, to Himalaya Gold, touted by the Web site as providing a "creative" high that's "especially recommended for arts and crafts."Street prices in Edmonton hover around $250 an ounce (28 grams), or $45 for an eighth of an ounce.With three plants and a rotating harvest, experts say, the average weekend smoker can be well stocked year round while spending no more money or time than if they were growing tomatoes."All you have to do is get the seeds. You don't need any special knowledge," said Steven Hager of High Times magazine."Just throw the seeds down -- they'll dominate any other plant. You can be a total novice dummy, and still do very well."Karen Watson operates one of the leading seed companies in Vancouver."We sell seeds across Canada," she said. "Yes, we get mail orders from Edmonton. A lot of how-to books and videos, too."The most recent provincial statistics from AADAC show that, in 1998, 10 per cent of Albertans over the age of 17 had consumed cannabis in the previous year. They come from all walks of life, O'Neill said."From the people who walk through my doors, it's not restricted by age, class or background," he said. "It's a broad cross-section of people."The court system tends to see only those who take a risk: by toking in a car, a parking lot, carrying large amounts or trafficking. "You get the young, and the old and indigent," he said.The rest are becoming increasingly free to imbibe without threat of a criminal record to stop them travelling to foreign countries and entering some educational institutions -- not to mention the stigma of carrying a criminal record through life.On the University of Alberta campus, de facto decriminalization is already in effect for quantities smaller than 28 grams."Less than an ounce ... generally it will be dealt with internally," said Darcy Pennock of campus security.Campus security can seize the marijuana and invoke the Code of Student Behaviour. That could mean a letter on their file, or a fine. But no criminal record."People come to university to better themselves," Pennock said. "By us criminalizing them for a mistake, that isn't good for anybody."The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police have come out in favour of decriminalization, with some provisos.Some believe that without the threat of criminal charges, police will lose some power to entice smaller criminals to point them towards more prominent ones."They may lose the ability to garner information that may be very useful in support of an application for either a search warrant or a wiretap," O'Neill said. "They might compromise themselves in that respect."Fines are in the $110 to $250 range, but the record sticks."The fine is not a deterrent," O'Neill said. "It's the criminal record that's the hardship."Complete Title: Police Increasingly Turning Blind Eye To Casual Dope Smoking Snipped: Complete Article: http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/story.asp?id=449013E9-9EAA-4CC2-B285-4E494E84019ASource: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)Author: Mark Spector, Journal Staff WriterPublished: Saturday, July 20, 2002Copyright: 2002 The Edmonton JournalContact: letters thejournal.southam.caWebsite: http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/Related Articles & Web Site:Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmDecriminalizing Pot: Why Stop There?http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13493.shtml Smoking Out The Law http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13492.shtmlCanada: There's a Funny Smell in the Airhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13490.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #16 posted by FoM on July 21, 2002 at 16:57:15 PT VitaminT What I've noticed about the attitude of Canada in general is they appear to use reason to solve problems. They allow themselves the luxury of thinking and pondering and forming opinions based on much thought. As Souder showed that is seriously lacking in our country with those that have made it into powerful positions. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by VitaminT on July 21, 2002 at 16:23:22 PT I was certainly impressed I've found that listening to Canadian media is a lot different that US media. Comentators seem to come without a personal axe to grind. Of course you still hear the stupid pothead cliches in abundance. They seem to have an actual objectivity as opposed to the claims of objectivity on American Networks a la "we report you decide" I mean what a pile of crap! Yeah right with Bill O'Riley it's more like: "I report what I've decided is the RIGHT perspective and if you disagree with me you're a moron and I don't have to bother myself with your opinion because Rupert freakin' Christ put me in this chair himself"How would that go over in Canada? They have the luxury saying stupid American and then switch over to CBC. But for all I know O'Riley is Canadian. Who the hell knows?The aliens out there reading these intercepted communications must think we are nuts!I know I am!!! LOL! [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on July 21, 2002 at 15:50:53 PT VitaminT I felt like I listening to 90 percent NORML people! Even maybe 98 percent NORML people. LoL! It was wonderful and she was a great radio show hostess if that's what she is called. She did a superb job! [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by VitaminT on July 21, 2002 at 15:45:27 PT you're a sweetheart I'll be looing too, If I find anything I'll let you know.That CBC radio One thing really was great! I wish we could get more of that going here! I think we can count on Phil Donahue many people love that guy and I know he's an honest and diligent guy so he will probably continue to give us a boost and a prominent national voice! [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on July 21, 2002 at 15:38:55 PT VitaminT Here's the article for the forum but it's tomorrow and I don't see anywhere where we will be able to get it online. I'll keep my eyes open. If someone finds something please post it. http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread13472.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by FoM on July 21, 2002 at 15:33:06 PT VitaminT No but I'll try to find one. I was mesmerized by the radio program and just sat here and listened. I'll go look now. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by VitaminT on July 21, 2002 at 15:26:24 PT Hey FoM Do you have a link to the show in Nevada? [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on July 21, 2002 at 15:15:41 PT What a Radio Program I just finished listening to the program and it was excellent. Many good points. I can't think of one thing in particular that stands out because both pro and con issues were covered and it was as detailed as I anything I could have hoped for in discussion. I hope the Canadians understand how hard it is for us down here after hearing Souder talk. He threatened and made no sense but pot is bad you know pot is bad and we'll get you if you don't see it our way. That was very evident to me and I'm sorry because it isn't the people of the states but a few people in power that think like that.http://www.cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=Souder+ [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by VitaminT on July 21, 2002 at 15:15:21 PT It was a great show! Rep. Mark Souder of Indiana is one of the dimmer bulbs in congress his rerord in office is ample proof of that, but he did get support from the trailer park lady who called in immediately after him. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on July 21, 2002 at 14:00:42 PT Great Radio Program I hope others are hearing this program. The whole program is so intelligent! Click on the link to listen!http://www.radio.cbc.ca/cbcradio28.ram [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on July 21, 2002 at 13:28:40 PT It's On Now! Thanks! http://www.radio.cbc.ca/cbcradio28.ram [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on July 21, 2002 at 13:18:33 PT puff_tuff Thanks for the information. I hope I can find the program. I've been trying but no luck so far. It should be on now in my time zone. I'll keep looking. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by VitaminT on July 21, 2002 at 11:42:02 PT re: my previous comments I was speaking rhetorically of course. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by VitaminT on July 21, 2002 at 11:34:50 PT They reserve the right . . . to step on the neck of peaceful herb smokers until they divulge information about their suppliers!The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police have come out in favour of decriminalization, with some provisos.Some believe that without the threat of criminal charges, police will lose some power to entice smaller criminals to point them towards more prominent ones.Well, f___ the COPS! I'm not for sale! In my world, if I'm caught I'll do my time and I won't cooperate with ANY Gestapo pigs for any reason! And I would certainly never give up anyone else friend or stranger.I guess the Nazi stormtroopers will be kicking my door down any minute now. LET ME SEE YOUR PAPERS! YOU KNOW, WE HAVE WAYS OF MAKING YOU TALK. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by puff_tuff on July 21, 2002 at 11:01:39 PT Canadian Live Call-in Debate Today Sunday July 21, 2002 CBC RadioOn Cross Country Checkup ...the marijuana debate. This week, Canada's Justice Minister admitted he has smoked pot and suggested the law could be re-examined. Last week, Britain announced plans to relax its laws. These events have relit the debate over marijuana. What do you think? Should it be a crime to smoke marijuana? Join guest host, Ann Medina, Sunday on Cross Country Checkup. Toll-free number (during the broadcast only): 1-888-416-8333 Broadcast TimeBecause the program is broadcast live across Canada, it is heard simultaneously at different times in each time zone. Newfoundland: 5:36 - 7:30 pm Atlantic: 5:06 - 7:00 pm Eastern: 4:06 - 6:00 pm Central: 3:06 - 5:00 pm Mountain: 2:06 - 4:00 pm Pacific: 1:06 - 3:00 pm Online Discussion forum. Closed until showtime Sunday. http://interact.cbc.ca/cgi-bin/WebX?8 .1dcffbce CBC Frequency Map http://www.radio.cbc.ca/channelguide/tablesFor those outside of Canada you can listen online Sunday at http://www.radio.cbc.ca/programs/checkup/this-week.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Rainbow on July 21, 2002 at 10:19:24 PT does hardship mean jail? "The fine is not a deterrent," O'Neill said. "It's the criminal record that's the hardship."Interesting that a fine is not a deterrant and it seems the criminal record is not a deterrant either just a hardship.Hummmm. These criminalizers are strange people. I think their compassion is taken away somewhere down the road.Tom [ Post Comment ] Post Comment