cannabisnews.com: Former MPP Protests Marijuana's Decriminalization Former MPP Protests Marijuana's Decriminalization Posted by CN Staff on December 27, 2002 at 14:13:57 PT Letter to the Editor by Terence H. Young Source: Burlington Post Drug dealers across Canada are cheering quietly and preparing to expand their operations.Incredibly, a parliamentary committee in Ottawa, chaired by Burlington MP Paddy Torsney, has recommended that possession of 30-50 joints of marijuana become a ticketing offence, like speeding. Paddy, who admits she has smoked marijuana in the past, joked with the media saying it depends how thick you roll the joints. This foolish idea would undoubtedly widely expand use of this narcotic, putting more drugs into the hands of children and teens.Having represented a considerable part of Burlington and Oakville for four years at Queen's Park, I can say I never once heard anyone suggest that marijuana be decriminalized. What I heard was that decent people are fed up with crime, especially drug dealers, those who don't pay their fair share of taxes, and are concerned with threats to our health-care system.Since there was never any mention of liberalizing narcotics laws in any of Torsney's or Bonnie Brown's election literature from 1993 on, one has to wonder how far out of touch with their ridings and reality they can get.Here are three key myths regarding marijuana which the government members apparently believe:* Marijuana use doesn't lead to other drugs. False. It very often does. Ask any drug user if they have smoked marijuana. The vast majority will say yes.* Marijuana is not addictive. False. There are untold thousands of people who are highly dependent on marijuana. It depletes initiative, dulls the thinking and impairs the user's judgment -- a tragic lifestyle very difficult to escape.* Marijuana is harmless. False. Marijuana use is involved in many property crimes, assaults and many vehicle accidents causing injuries and death. Marijuana sales finance other kinds of crime which cost taxpayers billions of dollars. Marijuana dealers don't pay tax. Marijuana growers are stealing millions of dollars in hydro from the rest of us. Marijuana-related social problems in families and schools cause untold misery and overload our social service agencies. Marijuana-induced impairment reduces productivity in our workplaces, causes accidents and prevents children and teens from learning in school. Marijuana smoke itself contains hundreds of chemicals, from which users will suffer ill health as they get older -- putting an even greater burden on our health-care system. Decriminalizing pot will attract the most resourceful and wealthy dealers from around the world to Canada and put millions in their pockets to finance other crime. Our young people will have pot shoved in their faces everywhere they go.Police will spend more time trying to keep up with the misbehaviour of impaired marijuana users and their wealthy dealers, like in Amsterdam where shops have been forced to install pull-down aluminum shutters at night. Imagine downtown Oakville and Burlington stores with aluminum shutters covering all the windows after 6 p.m.If only for the young people, please take a minute and call the offices of Torsney (905-639-5757) and Brown (905-827-2077) to tell them you don't want more drugs on our streets.Source: Burlington Post (CN ON)Author: Terence H. Young, OakvillePublished: December 27, 2002Copyright: 2002 Burlington PostContact: jdavis haltonsearch.comWebsite: http://www.haltonsearch.com/hr/bp/Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmCriminalized Marijuana Makes No Sense At Allhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15062.shtmlDrug Strategy Addresses Concerns of Canadianshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15011.shtmlPot on MP Torsney's Mind http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15010.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by p4me on December 27, 2002 at 14:36:00 PT P.S. Richard Cowan actually quoted the Charter of Rights and Freedom's first statement. The Charter can be read here- http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/charter/#garantie 1. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society.It was the 7th item that protected Steve Kubby and got him his license to grow and possess cannabis because lack of it would kill him.7. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.1 [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by p4me on December 27, 2002 at 14:28:34 PT Even a stopped watch is right twice a day Decriminalizing pot will attract the most resourceful and wealthy dealers from around the world to Canada and put millions in their pockets to finance other crime. Our young people will have pot shoved in their faces everywhere they go.That is one reason people should suppot outright legalization as recommended by the Select Senate Committe. Decriminalization is institutional hypocrisy. Now tell us about the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that governs Canada and make the case they can warp the defintion of freedom because of an issue like cannabis. Richard Cowan wrote; "The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society." Now let's see you write a response on how your viewpoint should define everyone else's rights. 1 [ Post Comment ] Post Comment