cannabisnews.com: Changes to Marijuana Law May Rankle Washington Changes to Marijuana Law May Rankle Washington Posted by CN Staff on December 11, 2002 at 19:37:05 PT By CTV News Staff Source: CTV When a Commons committee recommends Thursday that Canadians should not receive jail terms for possessing small amounts of pot, the announcement will almost certainly reverberate south of the border.The United States, already concerned that Canada is becoming a major supplier of Americans' pot, fears the problem is only going to get worse if Canada relaxes legislation. Experts in Canada-U.S. relations say powerful U.S. opponents of marijuana will likely point to decriminalization of marijuana as another example of Canada undermining American interests."We live too close to the United States to be highly experimental," said Colin Campbell, a professor of U.S. studies at the University of British Columbia.U.S. drug czar John Walters has threatened to tighten even more the ever-increasing security measures at U.S. border points."The issue for us is that Canada has become a major supplier for certain drugs," says Walters, director of the U.S. Office of National Drug-Control Policy.He also said recently that "you don't make a major decision involving a dangerous drug without telling people what the dangers are."Walters says 62 per cent of America's 5.6 million users of illegal drugs abuse marijuana.About 600,000 Canadians have criminal records for marijuana possession. The Canadian Medical Association says about 1.5 million people smoke it recreationally.Canadian Alliance MP Keith Martin says he supports the planned changes and says the U.S. should work with Canada and adopt similar measures."The United States has the highest use of marijuana in the world with the most punitive drug laws," Martin says. "That should tell them something."We know the status quo is a failure. The war on drugs has been a failure."The Globe and Mail says Canada spends about $1.3 billion each year in policing and prosecution related to marijuana.The U.S.-based National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws says U.S. police forces spend up to $10 billion each year upholding American drug laws.NORML Executive Director Keith Stroup says more than 720,000 Americans were arrested on marijuana charges last year.Stroup's organization has endorsed Canada's proposed changes, noting that 12 U.S. states have similar policies in place.In September, also the United Nations warned Canada not to proceed with the legalization of marijuana, saying it could violate a 1988 UN convention against trafficking in narcotics, which Canada signed.Source: CTV (Canada)Published: December 11, 2002Copyright: 2002 Bell Globemedia Interactive Inc. Website: http://www.ctv.ca/Contact: newsonline ctv.ca Related Articles & Web Sites:NORMLhttp://www.norml.org/Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmCommittee To Recommend 30-Gram Pot Limit http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14951.shtmlParliamentary Committee To Recommend Pot Lawhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14942.shtmlNew Pot Laws Could Be Inconsistent: Advocateshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14939.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by The GCW on December 12, 2002 at 04:09:20 PT For the memory bank. CHARGES AGAINST RELATIVE OF ROCKEFELLER DROPPED http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n2244/a05.html?397 [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by p4me on December 11, 2002 at 20:06:51 PT oldsmokie from the DE messageboard writes- Quantum Leaf and Good Buddy's, Worthin raided simultaniously. At 11.30 am Wednesday morning the Good Buddy and Quantum leaf Coffeshops, Worthing were raided by the police. Chris was arrested at the Quantum Leaf and I was arrested at the Good Buddy. Both of us were released, Chris, again, on police bail for supply and me charged with possesion, (all the weed and hash in the cafe, not much though). Both Coffeeshops were re-open within minuites of the police leaving and 50 people protested outside the police station with banners. There were customers arguing with the police trying to get in while the police were still in the building and a local shopkeeper, on camera, came out playing hell with the police for bringing the area down, saying it was them the police that was the problem, not us. Both Chris and Myself will be opening the coffeeshops as normal tomorrow Both coffeshops had only days before become the official headquaters of the West and East Worthing Legalise Cannabis Alliance, a registered political party in the uk and Alun Buffry, the LCA national co-ordinator has given support at a national level and the LCA consider this search on 2 political headquaters infringes the European Human Rights Laws regarding political freedom. A Protest is being organised for Monday morning outside Worthing Magistrates Court with more details to follow. PLEASE FORWARD AS WIDE AS POSSIBLE From Chris, Trev, Winston, Oldsmokie and the Worthin Missive. STAY HIGH__________________ Fight the fight for the fight is right1 [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by p4me on December 11, 2002 at 19:57:07 PT Where are those $20 biscuits in Ohio? On Jay Leno last night he mentioned a boy selling cannabiscuits for a school fundraiser. You have to read an Irish newspaper to find the story though: http://breaking.examiner.ie/2002/12/10/story80055.html1 [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on December 11, 2002 at 19:44:16 PT Go Canada! You are a great land! You are the land of the free! God Bless You! I just had to say that! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment