cannabisnews.com: Decriminalizing Marijuana is a Pragmatic Step Decriminalizing Marijuana is a Pragmatic Step Posted by CN Staff on December 21, 2002 at 19:38:29 PT By Gord McNulty Source: Hamilton Spectator Any move to relax Canada's marijuana laws inevitably runs into a whirlwind of controversy. For all of the problems created by the criminal conviction of people with small amounts of marijuana, there is still widespread reluctance to do anything that runs the risk of encouraging more consumption of the drug.If a parliamentary committee chaired by Burlington Liberal MP Paddy Torsney carries the day, Canada will break new ground by decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana. Possession of up to 30 grams would be subject to a ticket and fine, rather than a criminal record. In the committee's view, it's more sensible to redirect police resources to more serious problems, including the growing traffic in marijuana, as opposed to putting people at risk of a record for smoking pot.On balance, the committee's recommendation to decriminalize simple possession is a progressive, pragmatic step. It's not a foolproof remedy for the problems created by marijuana and more potent drugs, but it should help to create more respect for the law.The evidence suggests that the current approach does more harm than good. More than 21,000 Canadians were charged with simple possession of marijuana in 1999, an 11 per cent increase compared to 1995. Just as disturbing, individual police forces and Crown prosecutors applied the law in significantly different ways. That's unfair and unacceptable, given the potentially devastating consequences and stigma of a criminal record.Decriminalization is coming under renewed attack from critics in Canada and the United States, who charge that it would encourage young people to indulge in marijuana. We're not at all sure of that. If the government balances decriminalization with a strong educational campaign to remind people of the dangers of marijuana, it might well achieve much-needed success in discouraging demand for drugs. The committee didn't exactly open the floodgates. Trafficking of marijuana would remain a crime, and legalization -- treating marijuana in similar fashion to alcohol -- was ruled out.A Senate committee, among others, has supported the legalization philosophy. Authorities could regulate the supply, and control the quality and potency of the drug, if it were legal. Those are solid arguments, but we believe Canada isn't ready for legalization. It would be too readily misconstrued as a sign that Parliament isn't concerned about the widespread use of marijuana and its potential to act as a gateway to more dangerous drugs.It's important to emphasize that decriminalization is not intended to be an excuse for young people to start smoking marijuana. Torsney is right in stressing the need for a strong education campaign about the health issues related to smoking marijuana, which, like tobacco, is inherently unhealthy. Some aspects of the committee's report -- including the wisdom of the 30-gram limit (enough to make 30 or more marijuana cigarettes or "joints") -- need careful review.In general, however, the committee's blueprint points the way to a more effective approach to the marijuana dilemma.Note: Changing pot laws: No record for having small amount. Complete Title: Decriminalizing Marijuana is a Pragmatic Step Forward Source: Hamilton Spectator (CN ON) Author: Gord McNulty Published: December 19, 2002Copyright: The Hamilton Spectator 2002Contact: letters hamiltonspectator.com Website: http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmWe Make Our Own Laws in Canada http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15032.shtmlPot on MP Torsney's Mind http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15010.shtmlDecriminalize Marijuana Now http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14996.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #17 posted by knox42897 on December 24, 2002 at 07:51:52 PT: The GCW in me I'm not religious, but I can wish you and all of our fellow soldiers and prisoners of war a happy Marry JaneXmas. May Cannabis love you forever. [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by The GCW on December 23, 2002 at 18:05:05 PT knox42897 Like You, I am a Green Collar WorkerThe GCW in You.With all Your love,Peace be upon You. That is the peace of Christ.I am glad that You are with Us.I love You.With tears of joy, I love You. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by veggiegardener on December 23, 2002 at 08:44:10 PT Rolling... Stones? [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on December 22, 2002 at 21:15:39 PT knox42897 I don't know anyone but this one person who ever did Cocaine so I don't have anyone to compare too. I know I'm glad I never got into using it though. I watched a program on how they make Cocaine and it looked very unsanitary. I don't even trust pharmaceutical chemicals. I believe in herbal medicine and don't do any legal prescription drugs anymore either. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by knox42897 on December 22, 2002 at 21:07:59 PT: The GCW Nice Link, The GCW. I wash wondering does that stand for Goerge Cannabis W? If it does show me your BUSH! When the day marijuana will officially be recognized as a medicine, all other laws and theories to other "illegal drugs" will have to be severely scructized, (hence why the drug war has lasted so long). To classify Marijuana with no medical value demands an investigation from some organization to evaluate all other drugs and laws, its only a matter of time. Having public Dignataries call Americans the Taliban of drug policy helps. Time is one my side, yes it is, can you name who sang tht song? [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by knox42897 on December 22, 2002 at 20:50:55 PT: FoM We have a friend that used Cocaine on and off for years and he had a heart attack. He said he knows the Cocaine triggered it and is doing ok now but he said he would never touch it again.I personally haven't had a friend or family member hospitalized for cocaine. I have about 10 cousins who prefer cocaine to marijuana. I remember one time when I was defending marijuana as less harmfull than cocaine. My cousin simply said, "everything in moderation won't hurt you". You can't argue with state statement! [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by The GCW on December 22, 2002 at 18:02:26 PT Medical ecstasy? Maybe not for CSC, but Ullrich will ride in '03 Four teams are interested in signing former Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich, his manager Wolfgang Strohband said on Thursday. According to Strohband, the 1997 Tour champion is mostly interested in a tentative offer from the Danish CSC squad, but the team is still looking to sign a co-sponsor in order to swing the deal. Ullrich has also received overtures from the Swiss Phonak team, Italy's Mercatone Uno and German Team Coast. Strohband, who said 29-year-old Ullrich would cost any new team more than one million euros (one million dollars) a year, said that "One thing is sure. Jan won't be without a team next year." Ullrich, also a four-time Tour de France runner-up and an Olympic gold medalist, is still under suspension from the sport until March 23, 2003, after testing positive for amphetamines. He admitted taking ecstasy on a night out with friends while recovering after surgery on a problem knee.Copyright AFP2002 http://www.velonews.com/news/fea/3323.0.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by CorvallisEric on December 22, 2002 at 14:59:33 PT Cocaine I tried it a couple times when it was fashionable in the Reagan years. Aside from the unpleasant throat numbing, its affects for me ranged from nothing to exactly what one would expect from the combined set-and-setting and a moderate dose of caffeine. Maybe it's related to getting nothing pleasant or interesting out of alcohol. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on December 22, 2002 at 10:38:53 PT knox42897 We have a friend that used Cocaine on and off for years and he had a heart attack. He said he knows the Cocaine triggered it and is doing ok now but he said he would never touch it again. Mixing drugs and alcohol can be dangerous in my opinion but I know people do. Carrie Fischer on PI last year said why people do Coke that like to drink and she said because they can drink more and still function. I guess she's right. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by knox42897 on December 22, 2002 at 10:15:12 PT: Medical Cocaine? I was medicating myself yesterday with a new patient. She suffers from extreme migraines. She said the only thing that makes her head aches go away faster that medical marijuana was medical cocaine. I myself rarely use medical cocaine. I find that it is very using in treating "drunkeness". A couple of doses of Medical Cocaine and it sobers me up, plus I can sleep a couple of hours after I medicate. I don't think it goes away too fast, as compared to meth. Waste of money? Perhaps, but there's this stupid war that's jacking up the prices. Personally, I would just like to chew the coca plant and mix it with my cannabis plant to smoke. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on December 22, 2002 at 09:46:30 PT Knox42897 Medical Cocaine? I think they use Cocaine for certain eye surgeries or as some sort of anesthetic. I don't have any experience with Cocaine. I tried it once back in the 70s and didn't like it and never tried it again. It seemed to go away too fast and I thought it was a waste of money. I'm glad I didn't like it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Knox42897 on December 22, 2002 at 09:39:49 PT: Medical Ecstasy-I will have to medicate Hello FoM, I wanted to ask you to keep any eye out for medical cocaine articles. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by FoM on December 22, 2002 at 08:29:53 PT Another Note The special about Ecstasy is scheduled to be on the Discovery Health Channel on Direct TV at 2pm this afternoon. I watched it and learned a lot about Ecstasy. It seemed to be a fair program. What was the most interesting part in the program for me was the therapeutic use of Ecstasy. A young couple used MDMA a month before her husband died of Kidney Cancer. Until that time he was bitter and withdrawn but she said that one night was like a lifetime and they talked and loved one another and she now is an advocate for it's therapeutic use. If you get Discovery Health Channel I hope you check it out.http://health.discovery.com/schedule/episode.jsp?episode=0&cpi=84408 [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on December 22, 2002 at 08:05:41 PT Just a Note Hi Everyone,It's almost Christmas and so far I haven't found any news to post. Until the beginning of January, news will almost be non existent. Nothing really important has ever happened this time of year in reform so if I don't get articles posted it is because I can't find any that aren't what we already know. I have no idea what 2003 will bring but I'm sure it will be interesting. The holiday season is a time of reflection for me. Many of us are reflecting on how we can bring change and I hope one of our new years resolutions is continued working towards Cannabis Reform. I hope everyone is enjoying this time and will be ready to get going again after the holidays. Have a nice holiday and a Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it.GCW thank you for posting the LTE from Richard Cowan. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by The GCW on December 22, 2002 at 07:44:21 PT CN BC: PUB LTE: Canada Pot Laws Still Harsh Richard Cowanhttp://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n2310/a04.html?397 Editor, Canadian Alliance MP John Reynolds says that he believes the amount of marijuana decriminalized should be "five grams or less" ( "Decriminalize pot, says local MP," Dec. 12 issue ). However, for more than 20 years the penalty in the state of Ohio for possession of one hundred grams -- more than three times the amount provided for in the supposedly "liberal" Cana-dian reform -- is only $100. In Maine, there is only a fine of $200 to $400 for possession of 1.25 ounces. In California, with a population greater than Canada's, one ounce is subject to a fine of only $100. Why should the Canadian government punish its citizens more harshly than do major U.S. states? Also, the official statement by the Alliance said that the limit in Holland is five grams, but that is the limit on per customer sales in coffee shops. The tolerated limit on possession is 30 grams. Richard Cowan MarijuanaNews.com Vancouver [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by kegan on December 22, 2002 at 02:27:08 PT Dangerous Because Cannabis has no fillers and pharmacological delivery agents and carcenogenic side effects, and is cheap, Health Canada has deemed Cannabis FAR too dangerous a medication. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on December 21, 2002 at 21:31:33 PT Discovery Health Channel: The Price of Ecstasy Hi Again Everyone,On Discovery Health Channel is a special on Ecstasy. It's currently on Channel 279 on Direct TV but I couldn't find any information but this link. Hopefully some of you will be able to get it too.http://health.discovery.com/schedule/episode.jsp?episode=0&cpi=84408 [ Post Comment ] Post Comment