cannabisnews.com: Ontario Stone Cold To Ottawa's Pot Plans





Ontario Stone Cold To Ottawa's Pot Plans
Posted by CN Staff on December 10, 2002 at 11:27:27 PT
By Colin Perkel, Canadian Press
Source: Toronto Star
Federal Justice Department plans to decriminalize the use of marijuana were met with a decidedly frosty response from the Ontario government today. "I'm flabbergasted that the federal government has prioritized the decriminalization of marijuana at this time," said provincial Attorney General David Young. "It is not a priority for this government."
On Monday, federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon said Ottawa wanted to move quickly on the issue and could bring in legislation early in the new year to decriminalize pot use.Police chiefs across the country have also advocated for decriminalization but Young, who admitted to "one youthful indiscretion" when it comes to pot, said officers on the beat aren't in favour."I stand with organized, front-line police officers across this country who say that this is a serious problem, who say that revenues from marijuana go to organized crime to finance other criminal endeavours."Ottawa should be spending its energies on ending "the weak-kneed" young-offender legislation and scrapping mandatory parole laws that see criminals leave jail after two-thirds of their sentences, he said.Young also noted that justice ministers across the country — especially in British Columbia — have expressed concerns about the increased sale of pot and the proliferation of illegal grow houses to produce it.Ontario Health Minister Tony Clement jokingly suggested those on Parliament Hill behind the move might be getting surreptitiously stoned."We'll check where that stash of medical marijuana went," Clement quipped."As health minister, I'm against people polluting their bodies in whatever form that takes."Any bill would depend in part on a Commons committee that studied the use of non-medical drugs.The committee apparently plans to recommend on Thursday that possession of pot should remain illegal but punishment should become a fine rather than a criminal record.In an initial report, the committee said this week that heroin addicts in major cities should have safe-injection sites and needle-exchange programs to help stop the spread of disease."The term is an oxymoron," said Clement, who said treatment, rehab and education is what's wanted."I just can't believe the federal government wants to be on the side of having heroin addicts attracted to a metropolis like Toronto so they can shoot `safely.'"IV drug use is "bad for your body, it's bad for the individual, it's bad for society," Clement said.In September, a Senate committee said marijuana should be legalized for use by anybody over the age of 16.The committee found that moderate use of the drug poses no serious long-term dangers for adults and could be sold under controlled circumstances like liquor or in drugstores.Premier Ernie Eves, who has admitted to smoking pot in his salad days, suggested the feds were floating a trial balloon but joked it was an "interesting revenue producing measure." Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)Author: Colin Perkel, Canadian PressPublished: December 10, 2002Copyright: 2002 The Toronto Star Contact: lettertoed thestar.com Website: http://www.thestar.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmOttawa Set To Ease Pot Lawshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14934.shtmlWe're Going To Pot! - Edmonton Sunhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14933.shtmlCauchon Says Pot Could Be Decriminalized Soonhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14931.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #6 posted by aocp on December 10, 2002 at 17:17:51 PT
term switching
"I stand with organized, front-line police officers across this country who say that this is a serious problem, who say that revenues from marijuana go to organized crime to finance other criminal endeavours."If it were legally regulated, the revenues could go to organized government bodies (like schools and police) to finance the potential betterment of society. Now, why in the world would you want it some other way? (that's rhetorical, for the sake of humoring the asset forfeiture crowd)
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by markjc on December 10, 2002 at 13:41:21 PT
kansas?
i am from kansas and i take offense to that comment. there more ignorant and intolerant states than kansas such as almost every southern state. both me and my girlfriend have been busted for marijuana possesion in kansas and both of us got off with diversion. not that extreme.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by JHarshaw on December 10, 2002 at 13:39:35 PT
Sound Bytes
 Over the next few weeks all the politicians who plan on getting re-elected will get in their " I'm so shocked and/or amazed that," etc. etc. sound bytes for the media.It will be all showing up on the news at roughly the same time which will make it seem like there is this huge bias among all of our "leaders" against any change in the status quo, and indeed there is such a bias but not everyone in power feels this way.I really have hope this time that between the Parliment's report, the Senate report, and the various Court challenges there might be SOME change for the better.A prayer or two couldn't hurt either.Peace,Pot, and Merry Christmas!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by VitaminT on December 10, 2002 at 13:30:27 PT
Not gonna work
"I stand with organized, front-line police officers across this country who say that this is a serious problem, who say that revenues from marijuana go to organized crime to finance other criminal endeavours."Watch how fast those "revenues" dry up when people are free to grow their own. Real organized criminals will be financing the campaigns of guys like Atty Gen. Young trying stuff the genie back into the bottle! Not gonna work.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by WolfgangWylde on December 10, 2002 at 13:00:49 PT
I bet it never sees the light of day...
...The Canadian Prohibitionists have been well coached by DEAland (they're already saying that 30 grams is for dealers, not personal use), and I expect the U.S. to bring full pressure on Canada.  My guess is we can relegate these latest committee reports to the dustbin of history, like the Le Dain Comission before them. I suppose in a couple of years they'll start the whole dog and pony show up again, just to appear as if they're addressing the issue. I hope I'm wrong, but I doubt it.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by Sam Adams on December 10, 2002 at 11:46:01 PT
Ha Ha Ha!
It's Kansas North! You lose guys.What is it about flatland that breeds ignorance and intolerance? It's like the closer you get to the mountains or ocean, the smarter you get.I hope a few Ontarians will seek this moron out and blow a big 'ol cloud of legal smoke in his face next year.
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment