cannabisnews.com: Activists, Experts Hail Senate's Report on Pot





Activists, Experts Hail Senate's Report on Pot
Posted by CN Staff on September 05, 2002 at 07:26:58 PT
By Graeme Smith
Source: Globe and Mail 
A broad swath of Canadians -- doctors, patients and activists -- praised a Senate committee yesterday for its report recommending relaxed marijuana laws. Some said they are not comfortable with the suggestion from the Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs that marijuana and hashish should be entirely legalized. Others said that the report did not go far enough. But nearly everybody agreed that pot smokers are not criminals.
"It's about time," said Terry Parker, an epileptic who is famous among marijuana activists for winning a court battle two years ago that forced the federal government to legalize marijuana for some sick people."They spend millions of dollars every year to incarcerate us," he said."It makes no sense."Dana Hanson, president of the Canadian Medical Association, agreed that people who are caught with marijuana should not get stuck with jail sentences or criminal records. But he said the drug should not be made entirely legal, either, because it would send a misleading message that pot is healthy."There are certainly other legal things that are unhealthy," he said. "But two wrongs don't make a right."Other doctors were more enthusiastic about the report.Patrick Smith, vice-president for clinical programs at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, said that most of the recommendations make sense.The previously accepted notions about marijuana being a "gateway" drug that leads to more destructive habits simply have not been supported by any evidence, he said. "Most people who use cannabis do so socially and without negative consequences."Many health experts also applauded the report for suggesting steps toward a national strategy of drug research, prevention, and treatment."It's a start for moving in the direction of good policy," said John Bordy, chief executive officer of the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba. "We are a bit concerned about the legalization, but it's nice to see how they put together the entire package."The committee's suggestion that Canadians should be allowed to toke up at the age of 16 seems a bit arbitrary, he suggested.But Richard Garlick, a spokesman for the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse in Ottawa, said that most studies have shown that marijuana does not harm the development of children after the age of 16."Their arguments are quite scientific," he said.At the same time, he added, policy makers should also consider the social consequences of making it legal for teenagers to use marijuana."Kids are still very vulnerable when they're 16 and 17 years old," he said. "Will it kill them? No, but it might prevent them from being productive members of society."But arguments about the morality of pot smoking are increasingly ignored by Canadians, said Toronto lawyer Alan Young, who has argued on behalf of many people fighting marijuana laws.Mr. Young said he feels momentum growing for revising those laws this year, particularly with the Supreme Court of Canada scheduled to hear cases in December that challenge the government's right to ban the drug.The only major hurdles are bureaucratic inertia and the federal government's fear of displeasing the United States, he said."This will show whether we're a sovereign nation or a 51st state."Action must be taken quickly on the recommendations, activists say, because about 100 Canadians continue to get criminal records for marijuana possession every day."The Senate was more forward-thinking than even most activists out here," said Philippe Lucas, director of the Vancouver Island Compassion Society, a marijuana pharmacy that sells pot to clients who have permission from their doctors to use it.Note: Some balk at idea that 16-year-olds could legally use marijuana.Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)Author: Graeme Smith Published: Thursday, September 5, 2002 – Print Edition, Page A8Copyright: 2002 The Globe and Mail CompanyContact: letters globeandmail.caWebsite: http://www.globeandmail.ca/Related Articles & Web Site:VICShttp://www.thevics.com/Senators Want Pot Legalizedhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13993.shtmlLegalize Marijuana, Senate Committee Sayshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13989.shtmlThe Special Senate Committee on Illegal Drugs http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13987.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #3 posted by John Tyler on September 05, 2002 at 09:04:46 PT
Common Sense
The Canadian Senate's report is so sensational because it is so packed with common sense. And as we have all come to know, common sense is all too rare in government.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by Ethan Russo MD on September 05, 2002 at 08:08:22 PT:
CannabisNews is Influential
I would like to reinforce what Kap has said. This site is making a difference. That is a reason why we must be careful to be relevant in our comments, and not put readers off by personal digressions and attacks.FoM, you're the best!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by kaptinemo on September 05, 2002 at 08:01:07 PT:
Dammit, I'm gonna start copywriting if this keeps 
up!How many times have I asked that question in the last week? And now:Mr. Young said he feels momentum growing for revising those laws this year, particularly with the Supreme Court of Canada scheduled to hear cases in December that challenge the government's right to ban the drug.The only major hurdles are bureaucratic inertia and the federal government's fear of displeasing the United States, he said."This will show whether we're a sovereign nation or a 51st state."I've been penning those words here, unrelentingly, for the past week...especially in light of Uncle's seemingly coveting the the Canadian borders in light of their eliminating the seperate Canadian office at NORAD. Something big is up, and it directly affects Canadian cultural and national sovereignty. Legalization would be a sound slap in the face of American antis...and send a message that the Canadian government will no longer be so supine to Washington's whims. That it is indeed a nation unto itself...with a people more independently minded than it's craven pols toadying for Bush Too.To paraphrase a favorite radio station's self-promoting jingle: "You can see it tomorrow, hear it tonight...or read...it...NOW!" Right here on CNEWS!
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment