cannabisnews.com: Where There's Smoke ... Where There's Smoke ... Posted by CN Staff on December 23, 2002 at 08:08:54 PT Editorial Source: Edmonton Sun The decriminalization of simple possession of small amounts of marijuana - as proposed by federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon - has a certain amount of appeal. And taken in isolation of other Ottawa Liberal initiatives, it appears to be at least worth looking at. Sure we can understand Alberta Justice Minister Dave Hancock's concerns - echoed by many Canadian police officials - that pot smoking is a stepping stone to harder, far more addictive drugs which require large amounts of money to purchase and generally lead to criminal activity. But with the political acceptance of marijuana as a valid treatment for some forms of chronic pain - the medical jury is still out until the feds can come up with some valid clinical studies - continuing to include possession of pot as a crime may appear hard to justify. On the surface at least. But with all things the federal government does these days, the downgrading of the offence of marijuana possession to something closer to a speeding ticket has its ironies and inconsistencies. The most obvious is the effect it will have on the already soured relations the federal Liberals have with our American cousins and the further crackdown on travel to the United States that this will almost inevitably entail if Ottawa goes ahead with the plan. While the feds are actively contemplating taking marijuana possession out of the Criminal Code to supposedly spare thousands of Canadian pot users the burden of a lifetime criminal record, the same government, in a few days, intends to turn an even larger number of Canadians into instant criminals for not registering their shotguns and sporting rifles by Jan. 1. A confusing message if there ever was one. And while the crackdown on drivers impaired by alcohol is one of the major ongoing policing initiatives in the country these days, the feds appear to be loosening their grip on another mood-altering drug. By turning a pot-possession offence into little more than a user fee - similar to the City of Edmonton's escort licence - a barrier to increased marijuana usage has been removed. Presumably this includes use behind the wheel for which there is no specific penalty. But likely the most negative consequence is the effect Cauchon's proposed changes will have on the United States which has a low tolerance towards drug use. Since the Sept. 11 attacks - and the Liberals' less-than-sympathetic response - keeping the free flow of goods and people between Canada and the United States has constantly been under threat. American drug officials have already warned Ottawa there could be negative consequences for relaxing the country's drug laws. Hopefully the feds have thought this through. But we doubt it. Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB) Published: December 23, 2002 Copyright: 2002 Canoe Limited PartnershipContact: sun.letters ccinet.ab.ca Website: http://www.fyiedmonton.com/htdocs/edmsun.shtmlRelated Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmWar on Terror Aids War on Drugshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15036.shtmlIs Canada Going To Pot?http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15037.shtmlDecriminalizing Marijuana is a Pragmatic Step http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15033.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #5 posted by The GCW on December 23, 2002 at 15:25:44 PT Almost a year old, and it may still apply. Decrim is dangerous http://www.hempbc.com/articles/2216.html Why we should be worried when cops and government talk about "decriminalization."(&) Why haven't moves been made? [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Nasarius on December 23, 2002 at 13:49:11 PT Science "A little scientific method is in order here, No science , then it is a "religious belief' promotion of a religion, that says, "gateway therory" just like "creationism" or "the vigin birth" or Santa Claus for that matter."Sort of. But in this case, it's a deliberate lie, a clear-cut logical fallacy of trying to assume that correlation equals causation. It's not so much faith as it is bad science. Really bad science, the type only a politician could employ, and only a public without an appreciation for the scientific method could fall for. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by drfistusa on December 23, 2002 at 10:43:55 PT: the 2 latest lies inspite of studies to the opposite and even Rand Corp computor simulation thats shows no statistical relationship between cannabis and later use of "hard drugs" and the assumed but not proven negative effects on driving ,Dutch and Aussie studies show little if any impairment in driving ability but more caution with the cannabis drivers. I personaly would challange any police to a driving contest, me stoned them not. A little scientific method is in order here, No science , then it is a "religious belief' promotion of a religion, that says, "gateway therory" just like "creationism" or "the vigin birth" or Santa Claus for that matter. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Sam Adams on December 23, 2002 at 09:28:14 PT Sad lack of freedom Let's not forget the obvious here: Democracy as a form of government is DEAD, and this is commonly accepted by everyone in Western society. We've moved into a new era of techno/corporate police power that is NOT a participatory government.A poll last year showed that something like 80% of Canadians support decrim - the government should have moved IMMEDIATELY to decriminalize. ESPECIALLY considering that this is a criminal justice issue! We're not talking about some budget decision, we're talking about armed thugs capturing Canadian citizens.Who would have guessed that price of "modern" conveniences and advancements would be a fortfeiture of basic human freedoms like using a medicinal herb, which humans have a right to since we evolved 200,000 years ago. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by fearfull on December 23, 2002 at 08:32:15 PT Legalizing would not result in much difference from the day to day lives we now know. For the simple reason that, most people who are interested in trying pot, already have! You would not see any increase in driving under the influence, because it is already at the level that it will be at. Yes, there will be a temporary increase in use, but only until the curious have determined if they like it or not. At which point use would level off. Legalization, would only serve to protect those who now use it, from the threat of persecution. For that is what we now face, persecution in the form of prosecution. We are fighting against the attempted genocide of a unique cultural group, us. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment