cannabisnews.com: We Ain't Talking Maple Trees We Ain't Talking Maple Trees Posted by CN Staff on October 30, 2002 at 15:53:27 PT By John McKenzie Source: ABCNews.com In an abandoned copper mine near Flin Flon, Manitoba, Canada, sits a heavily-guarded marijuana farm. There's enough pot for a million joints, and it's all owned by the Canadian government. In the past year, the drug has been used in clinical trials for AIDS, and neuropathy, and Canadian health officials are encouraging doctors to begin other clinical trials using marijuana. In addition, more than 200 Canadians have authorization to grow, and smoke, their own pot for medicinal purposes. The permits are granted for conditions such as cancer, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis and severe arthritis. Nothing, however, illustrates Canada's liberal approach to marijuana more than what it's considering next: Decriminalizing pot for everyone else in the country. Under the plan put forward in a key government policy and economic speech, any Canadian caught with a small amount of pot would face nothing more than the equivalent of a traffic ticket. Violators would have to pay a fine but would no longer face a criminal record. Majority of Canadians Agree Allan Rock, Canada's former health minister and now minister of industry says: "Why clog the criminal courts with kids 14 or 15 who might have been experimenting with a single stick of marijuana and who could face a lifelong disadvantage with a criminal record? Isn't there a better way?" Seventy percent of Canadians, according to the polls, think there should be. Among those pushing for change is Canada's justice minister, Martin Cauchon. When recently asked if he had smoked a joint, Cauchon didn't hesitate. "Me? Yes, of course," he said. If Canada follows through on its plan, it would join a growing list of countries, including Britain, Portugal, Italy and Spain, that have recently relaxed their marijuana laws. U.S.: Canada Is Making a MistakeBut American officials say Canada would be making a big mistake because the Bush administration opposes making marijuana easier to get, and it is expected that what happens in neighboring Canada will have an impact in the United States. "The drug problem will increase in Canada," predicts John Walters, director of the Office of National Drug Policy in Washington. Walters said Canada should learn from the U.S. experience. "It is the single biggest drug of addiction that we have to provide treatment resources for," Walters said. "It's 60 percent of the problem. It's twice as important as cocaine. Americans don't appreciate this enough and I fear Canadians don't either." Canadian officials say they've seen no convincing evidence that marijuana is the public health problem the Bush administration says it is. If Canadians proceed with decriminalizing marijuana, Walters warns, "The drug market will increase in Canada as it already has in recent years and that will affect Americans. It will accelerate the movement of marijuana from Canada to the U.S." American officials are already suggesting they would have to impose tighter border controls to keep out the Canadian pot, and that could significantly slow trade from north of the border. Is Canada worried? Not for the moment. At a recent news conference a reporter asked Canada's justice minister: "Do you care what the Americans say to you?" The justice minister, Martin Cauchon, replied: "I will look into the matter … And I'll do what's good for Canadian society." Whether the Canadians proceed with new, liberalized marijuana laws should be decided early next year. Complete Title: We Ain't Talking Maple Trees - Is the Grass Really Greener on the Other Side? Source: ABCNews.comAuthor: John McKenziePublished: October 30, 2002Copyright: 2002 ABC News Internet VenturesWebsite: http://www.abcnews.go.com/Contact: http://www.abcnews.go.com/onair/email.htmlRelated Articles & Web Sites:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmCanada's Doing It, So Why Can't We?http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14550.shtmlCanada Pot Debate Makes U.S. Uneasy http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14534.shtmlCanada Poised To Ease Pot Lawshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14339.shtmlSenate Report on Cannabis: Get Whole Story http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14319.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #9 posted by FoM on October 31, 2002 at 09:03:59 PT News Articles From Snipped Sources in Canada Since they don't keep the links active very long I thought it woud be best to post them here rather then make an article and have a broken link in just a couple days.MDs refuse to prescribe medicinal pot Craig Pearson Star Staff Reporter, Windsor Star Medical marijuana is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain in Canada because many doctors are refusing to sign the prescriptions, say frustrated patients. David, a Lakeshore resident, said the drug he credits with relieving chronic leg pain from multiple sclerosis is being denied to him because doctors are afraid of lawsuits. Without prescriptions, he and other patients may have to turn to illegal marijuana sources for relief, David said. Complete Article: http://www.canada.com/search/story.aspx?id=28eda5a1-b877-480b-ad59-f06b47375ff8Pot Laws Minefield for FedsMarijuana: a growing debate This is the second of four stories examining the place of marijuana in Canadian society. Companion reports will be broadcast by Global news today on its evening and late newcasts. Complete Article: http://www.canada.com/search/story.aspx?id=ceed1aa9-3c95-40f2-9328-d44777ee1a10 [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Richard Lake on October 30, 2002 at 21:34:36 PT: CANNABIS NEWS POSTING GUIDELINES CANNABIS NEWS POSTING GUIDELINES:Please stay on topic. Drug policy issues only with an emphasis on cannabis issues.Always ask yourself if it will benefit the discussion before posting a message.No links to websites or pages which are offensive or advocate drug use rather than drug policy reform.No personal attacks or put-downs. If you must correct the rule should be criticize in private praise in public.No ad hominem or personal attacks on drug policy reform individuals or organizations.We expect vigerous but civil discussion of the issues raised by the news items posted here. But we also expect the discussion to be respectful of a wide range of opinions.No soliciting of funds or advertising without the permission.Do not post a private message from someone else to cannabisnews without their express knowledge and approval.The consequences for violating these guidelines may range from a simple reminder or deletion of your post, to blocking your access to this website. FoM and DrugSense managers will make final decisions. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on October 30, 2002 at 19:21:16 PT afterburner I just watched it again. My is Canada progressive. It really is the Great Wise North. I'm glad you liked that. I was impressed with how non violent it seems up there. I saw that on Donahue with Michael Moore the other night. Here are the transcripts: http://www.msnbc.com/news/827637.asp [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by afterburner on October 30, 2002 at 19:09:44 PT: Canada, don't worry. Be happy. Is Canada worried? Not for the moment. At a recent news conference a reporter asked Canada's justice minister: "Do you care what the Americans say to you?" The justice minister, Martin Cauchon, replied: "I will look into the matter … And I'll do what's good for Canadian society." Johnny Liar is mouthing the same ignorance that he's been saying all year. And the threatening of a sovereign country goes against international politics and the NAFTA. Canada, don't worry. Be happy. It's good to see that the Flin Flon pot is not going to waste. ego destruction or ego transcendence, that is the question.The American War on Drugs is zero tolerance, confiscation of property, and jail, even for medical marijuana. The Canadian way should be more humane, more reasonable, treatment for medical problems, like addiction. Decriminalize possession, use, cultivation, and surrogate cultivation of cannabis for medical and spiritual purposes. If you legalize you can also provide Quality Control and TAX FLOW. The Great Wise North, Grandmother's Land, is strong and free, north of the Medicine Line. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by lookinside on October 30, 2002 at 18:56:27 PT The Big Lie.... I guess the only people who didn't learn that lesson are in the current administration.Just because they keep on telling the same lies doesn't turn them into truth.....unless we let them. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by John Tyler on October 30, 2002 at 18:07:04 PT ABC News tonight I saw the Canadian cannabis segment on ABC News tonightt also. It made the US gov. look regressive. Thanks for letting us know about it. Peter Jennings, a Canadian, likes to toss in a few Canadian stories once in a while. In the above article John Walters said Canada should learn from the U.S. experience. He has it backward though, the US should learn from the Canadian experience. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by goneposthole on October 30, 2002 at 16:59:15 PT Lucrative market Cannabis is a very desirable product used by millions.if Canadian Cannabis makes it's way into the US, good.We seriously need some relief from someplace. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on October 30, 2002 at 16:11:16 PT Just Watched Peter Jennings I hope others were able to see the segment on Canada and marijuana. It shows how narrow minded we in the US are. GO CANADA!!!! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by The GCW on October 30, 2002 at 16:08:40 PT GOT TRUTH? Canada is getting an ear full of less than Truth. We all are. I'm not an X kind of guy, but this story is relavent on that less than Truth issue.New Scientist on ecstasy / Brain scan photos are fakeshttp://www.hempbc.com/articles/2647.html [ Post Comment ] Post Comment