cannabisnews.com: U.S. Fears Change in Marijuana Laws





U.S. Fears Change in Marijuana Laws
Posted by CN Staff on December 13, 2002 at 07:47:29 PT
By Kim Lunman
Source: Globe and Mail 
The man known as President George W. Bush's "Drug Czar" in the U.S. war against drugs said Canada will pose a "dangerous threat" south of the border if it brings in laws to decriminalize marijuana.John Walters, Director of the National Drug Control Policy in Washington, D.C., made the comments at a news conference in Buffalo hours after a special parliamentary committee in Ottawa recommended decriminalizing possession and cultivation of small amounts of marijuana for personal use.
Mr. Walters said any moves to liberalize marijuana laws in Canada could result in longer waits and tougher scrutiny at the border, already heightened in the wake of the U.S. terrorist attacks last year."It's not my job to judge Canadian policy," Mr. Walters said. "But it is my job to protect Americans from dangerous threats, and right now Canada is a dangerous staging area for some of the most potent and dangerous marijuana at a time when marijuana is the single biggest source of dependency-production in the United States."That's a problem. We have to make security at the border tougher because this is a dangerous threat to our young people and it makes the problem of patrolling the border more difficult."The report by the special parliamentary committee on the use of non-medical drugs recommends decriminalizing the possession and cultivation of up to 30 grams of cannabis for personal use.In its list of 41 recommendations, the committee of MPs concluded marijuana be treated as a regulatory offence and not land someone a criminal record.It recommends the possession of cannabis continue to be illegal and trafficking of marijuana remain a crime."Smoking any amount of marijuana is unhealthy, but the consequences of conviction for a small amount of marijuana for personal use are disproportionate to the potential harm," said Liberal MP Paddy Torsney, who chaired the committee.Ms. Torsney said nearly one-third of Canadians have admitted to using marijuana and that it makes sense to redirect policing resources to the prosecution of more serious crimes.Possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana would still be considered illegal but would not result in a criminal record under the recommendation.It would be treated instead like a traffic ticket and punishable by fines.Martin Cauchon, the Liberal Minister of Justice, said earlier this week that he would be introducing legislation in the new year to decriminalize marijuana.In September, a Senate report called on Ottawa to legalize and regulate the distribution of marijuana.At the time, Mr. Walters said such a move could strain relations between Canada and the United States, which has a zero-tolerance policy toward drugs."I think Mr. Walters should not worry about Canada," said Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, a Progressive Conservative who chaired the Senate report on illegal drugs.Mr. Nolin said the report yesterday "stopped short" of and will not result in any meaningful change in Canada's drug policy."It's going to be business as usual," he said. "Prohibition all the way."Mr. Cauchon brushed off Mr. Walters' comments. "Other countries are actually living in a situation where they have decriminalized . . . in small quantities." Note: Canada will pose a 'dangerous threat' if it decriminalizes pot, drug czar saysSource: Globe and Mail (Canada)Author: Kim LunmanPublished: Friday, December 13, 2002 – Print Edition, Page A9Copyright: 2002 The Globe and Mail CompanyContact: letters globeandmail.caWebsite: http://www.globeandmail.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmU.S. Frets Canada May Ease Marijuana Law http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14961.shtmlDrug Czar Talks About Tightening at Borderhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14955.shtmlChanges To Marijuana Law May Rankle Washington http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14952.shtml
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Comment #5 posted by VitaminT on December 13, 2002 at 13:07:28 PT
What a marvelous flourish!
we could use more of that!hats off to both of you!
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Comment #4 posted by Morgan on December 13, 2002 at 12:16:13 PT
Doc
And I in yours, noble physician.Just a little fun in a sea of serious thoughts.
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Comment #3 posted by Ethan Russo MD on December 13, 2002 at 11:40:44 PT:
Morgan
Beautifully rendered. I stand in awe of your Shakespearean talents.
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Comment #2 posted by Morgan on December 13, 2002 at 10:23:49 PT
Forsooth!
Verily, the villian doth mouth warnings of pale import, that serve to starve glad tidings from the north. Shall the porcine merchant masters stand to be bereft of their baubles for the sake of a gentle weed? Methinks not. Though this be madness, yet there is method in 't. The play 's the thing wherein he'll catch the conscience of the king. And alas, the king is mad.
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Comment #1 posted by Ethan Russo MD on December 13, 2002 at 08:43:12 PT:
Doth He Protest Too Much?
Methinks, 'tis true, the Czar doth protest too much. He knows naught about how to woo the gentle neighbor in the Great White North. Lo, but such complaint may drive her further from the fold, and reap a result he doth not desire. The Homeland is yet secure from the ravages of the Evil Weed.May it be ever thus!
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