cannabisnews.com: Justice Minister Nixes Legalizing Pot Justice Minister Nixes Legalizing Pot Posted by CN Staff on August 13, 2002 at 08:58:25 PT By Jane Sims, Free Press Justice Reporter Source: London Free Press The federal justice minister has slammed the door on any thoughts marijuana may be legalized -- but left it slightly open to having the drug de-criminalized. "Canada has no plans to legalize marijuana," said Martin Cauchon, speaking at the Canadian Bar Association annual meeting in London. "I believe endorsing marijuana use might inflict harm on society and lead to greater problems." But Cauchon said there should be a close look at drug laws. "I believe it's time for an open discussion about modernizing the criminal-justice system in this regard." At a later news conference, Cauchon didn't rule out decriminalizing the drug. Many of his Montreal constituents have told him simple possession should not lead to a criminal record, which denies access to borders and makes it hard to find a job, he said. "We have to look at where our society is and to be able to update our legislation." That issue will be part of a wide-ranging round-table discussion Cauchon plans this fall as a "a stock-taking" of Canada's criminal laws. "We expect out legal system to operate fairly and we demand everyone receives equal access to it." Cauchon touched on his priorities as minister of justice, a portfolio he took over in January. They include a continued examination of child pornography laws, following provisions that took effect last month aimed at protecting kids from people trying to lure them into the sex trade. The laws give judges the power to order the deletion of child pornography from Canadian computer systems. But in the wake of a B.C. court decision, Cauchon said the government will bring forward new proposals this fall. In March, the B.C. Supreme Court ruled graphic child sex stories written by John Robin Sharpe had artistic merit and should not be considered criminal. Cauchon also wants cabinet to discuss family law reform in hopes of improving access to service to "minimize the damage caused by separation and divorce." He said he hopes to expand the availability of unified family courts and to change language in the Divorce Act to ensure "the best interests of the child are paramount." And, after the fiascos in the U.S. with Enron and WorldCom, Cauchon said legislation will be looked at, if needed. But he stressed such corporate meltdowns have not happened here. Source: London Free Press (CN ON)Author: Jane Sims, Free Press Justice ReporterPublished: Tuesday, August 13, 2002Copyright: 2002 The London Free Press Contact: letters lfpress.comWebsite: http://www.fyilondon.com/londonfreepress/Related Articles & Web Site:Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htm No Plans for Legal Pot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13731.shtmlWashington Fumes as Canada Moves To Decriminalise http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13580.shtmlCanada: There's a Funny Smell in the Airhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13490.shtmlWould Softer Pot Law Stir Wrath of U.S.? http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13401.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #21 posted by qqqq on August 14, 2002 at 11:45:11 PT .....It's good to see you EJ... ..I dont hate anyone.......I have no resentment toward feminism.....I'm glad you're back.....be happy... [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by goneposthole on August 14, 2002 at 07:10:41 PT The Ultimate Kharmic Sacrifice When you grow a nice crop of kind bud, who gets sacrificed?Why, none other than the male of the species.(corrected punctuation) [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by goneposthole on August 14, 2002 at 07:08:56 PT The Ultimate Kharmic Sacrifice When you grow a nice crop of kind bud, who gets sacrificed.Why, none other than the male of the species. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by Industrial Strength on August 13, 2002 at 15:51:17 PT Of course Canada isn't going to "legalize" it, hell, the Netherlands haven't "legalized" it. We are part of the UN. EJ, stop whining already. dddd made a fucking joke (he's liable to do that sometimes). You have personally insulted me before, and I didn't "run away from home" like a little kid, what's next, are you going to threaten to hold your breath until everyone gives you what you want? I don't understand the sickly sweet syctophantic pandering of everyone else, either. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by Zero_G on August 13, 2002 at 15:07:41 PT Welcome back, EJ and as usual, your comments prompt some response.But you people feel enough hatred and resentment towards feminists to give yourselves permission to hurt them on a deeply personal level.On the contrary, some of us feel enough comfort and love with one another that we feel we can joke and laugh at ourselves and with each other.dddd, did not, I am sure mean, to hurt you on a deeply personal level.Whether or not you choose to believe this, and it is your choice, it is the overwhelming understanding that most of us have. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by Naaps on August 13, 2002 at 14:45:55 PT Welcome back, EJ! Your unique, individual perspective is valued and appreciated here. Stepping away from this wonderful website is entirely your choice, but your esteemed, articulate postings do enrich this website. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by FoM on August 13, 2002 at 12:54:34 PT Hi EJ I appreciate your return. I mean that. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by E_Johnson on August 13, 2002 at 12:51:54 PT The Universe balances itself These people feel enough hatred and resentment towards marijuana users to give themselves permission to hurt you on a deeply personal level.But you people feel enough hatred and resentment towards feminists to give yourselves permission to hurt them on a deeply personal level.This to me is a karmically balanced situation. Everyone who wants to hurt other people on a deeply personal basis just because of who they are is able to have that desire satisfied.What could be better than a system where everyone gets at least something that they want?So what if it's only hate? At least it's what the people want. And that's democracy in action. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by CorvallisEric on August 13, 2002 at 12:50:50 PT Emily Murphy Here's a chapter from The Black Candle MARAHUANA -- A NEW MENACE [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Ethan Russo MD on August 13, 2002 at 12:29:06 PT: The Black Candle The book is available in various editions and conditions from bookfinder.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by Naaps on August 13, 2002 at 12:14:41 PT The Upcoming Supreme Court Cases Yes, there are two upcoming Supreme Court cases, which have the potential to make real changes here. There is the constitutional court challenge with the defendants Caine, Clay, and Malmo-Levine, which probably won’t be tackled until next spring. The other court challenge features medical patients whom aren’t being supplied by the government, though a ruling gave the government a year to obtain a supply, which should have been the Flin-Flon pot before it was derailed. I don’t know the status of when this court case will be heard, but the other case has been in the queue longer. Meanwhile, Justice Minister Cauchon discusses corporate meltdowns, which have been white-collar fraud for which the laws are already on the books. Hell, I’m still waiting for justice with regard to Bre-X. Using placer gold impregnated drill core samples, stamped authentic by an engineering firm still operating today, the stock price ran up until the whole company was worth a couple billion dollars before the fraud was exposed. So far, no one has been charged. Want to get filthy rich? Forget laboring with grow-ops, getting your hands dirty, actually having to beat the odds, white-collar fraud is where the money is, and the penalties are non-existent.El Toonces, yes, Emily Murphy was an Edmonton Magistrate. She was so smitten with her prohibitionist book, A Black Candle, that she honestly thought it worthy of the Noble prize for literature. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Ethan Russo MD on August 13, 2002 at 12:04:59 PT: Janey Canuck Yes, unfortunately, Emily Murphy (AKA Janey Canuck) was a judge, a virulent prohibitionist and liar.She had the audacity to slam "marahuana" [sic] in her racist tome, The Black Candle, derogating it as a dangerous scourge on mankind, never mentioning its role in medicine, as espoused by her contemporary, Sir William Osler, fellow Canadian and giant of medicine.I had hoped that Anne McLellan, as another Albertan woman of stature, would have the courage to put a stake in the heart of Janey Canuck, and right the historical wrong, but that has not yet occurred. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by el_toonces on August 13, 2002 at 11:53:34 PT: Emily Murphy and her law...... Ethan -- Too funny you mention "Murphy's Law". It's one of the "laws of the universe" I don't like but I just didn't know I could blame Emily Murphy, the Canadian pot prohibitionist, for it. If I recall, wasn't she judge, too? [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Zero_G on August 13, 2002 at 11:17:01 PT Looking for a few good judges There may yet be a few good judges in the world. We have some, too, but they are hamstrung by unjust laws that need to change. Put the judgement back in the judges, but make sure they are educated first!I do recognize a few courageous judges, but instead of lamenting the fact of injustice, when in the act of complicity in manditory minimum sentencing, where are the refusals and resignations that such injustice demands?Where is the outrage? [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by canaman on August 13, 2002 at 10:41:13 PT "Oh Canada!" Stand up do what's right! Stop listening to the criminalizers crying "the sky is falling! the sky is falling" The sky isn't falling but your sovereignty might be if you let these paranoid fearmongers have their way! Do you want to be the 51st state? Take control, show the world how a sane, rational nation moves forward in the 21st century. If you don't lead you will follow. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on August 13, 2002 at 10:24:20 PT Dr. Russo I wish we had a King Solomon. I wish judges would understand why he was so wise. He kept his focus on the issues and wasn't swayed by anything. I am an idealist but also a realist which comes with getting older but injustice still sets me off. Temper tantrum done! At least for now! [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Ethan Russo MD on August 13, 2002 at 10:17:55 PT: Be My Guest Have a tantrum, if you wish, FoM. I do it regularly on this issue. Where is comes to cannabis, I've been mad as hell for 32 years.As for Solomon, he's been dead and gone for three millennia. There may yet be a few good judges in the world. We have some, too, but they are hamstrung by unjust laws that need to change. Put the judgement back in the judges, but make sure they are educated first! [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on August 13, 2002 at 10:14:20 PT Dr. Russo Can I have a temper tantrum? I'm only kidding but if people can't believe in their judical systems fairness then why should anyone listen to anything? If they can do their own thing then why can't the people?Where's King Solomon when we need him? [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Ethan Russo MD on August 13, 2002 at 10:10:57 PT: Murphy's Law? I would love to be optimistic about Canada, but we need to remember that there is always the possibility that the blinders will stay on, and they will not do the right thing.Hopefully, though, it is all over but the (prohibitionists') crying. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on August 13, 2002 at 10:06:57 PT Oh Kapt I get so frustrated. They better legalize like they said because they didn't meet their obligation for medical marijuana. We've waited patiently for a year and gone along with the system and now it's their time to get it right. I'm the kind of person who believes let your yes mean yes and your no mean no and if I expect that of myself then I expect that from the powers that be. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by kaptinemo on August 13, 2002 at 10:01:18 PT: Both sides of the mouth Having grown up in the time of Watergate, I have gotten into the (very good habit, it seems) of following I.F. Stone's advice that "All governments are run by liars, and no one should believe a thing they say."While a government may say publicly it is not doing something, you can bet it is. With all the blue ribbon panels they've had up there (The Senatorial one they convened across the country comes to mind) the people have been primed for revamping those laws. The only thing preventing that is local politics...being influenced by Uncle's cold, clammy, heavy hand.But if left up to the Courts up there? It may be premature, but it looks like a done deal. All over but the (anti's) shouting. All that matters now is the formalities being observed... [ Post Comment ] Post Comment