cannabisnews.com: U.S. Unhappy About Proposed Canadian Law on Pot U.S. Unhappy About Proposed Canadian Law on Pot Posted by CN Staff on April 30, 2003 at 14:51:27 PT By David Ljunggren Source: Reuters Ottawa - The United States drug czar on Wednesday said Canada's decision to decriminalize marijuana would increase drug use and crime and would therefore pose a threat to U.S. citizens.Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien on Tuesday said he would soon introduce legislation to decriminalize the possession and cultivation of small amounts of marijuana to prevent casual users from gaining a criminal record. But John Walters, director of the White House office of National Drug Control Policy, said the policy made little sense and would not cut crime."We have to be concerned about American citizens... when you make the penalties minimal you get more drug use, you get more drug addiction, you get more drug production, you get more drug crime," he told CBC television from Washington."That's what seems to me to be a little bit in denial in the debate I'm hearing from Canada. It's your decision but I don't think the facts line up in a way that's consistent or makes much sense, especially given the brutal history you've watched right across the border here in the United States."Chretien stressed he did not intend to legalize pot use and said the new law on decriminalization would be accompanied by a crackdown on the drugs trade.U.S. police say Canada, with an estimated illegal drug market of C$14 billion ($9.8 billion), has surpassed Mexico as a source of illegal drugs for the United States.Washington, which is concerned about the increasing amount of potent Canadian marijuana flowing south, has suggested it could tighten controls on the two countries' long joint border if Ottawa presses ahead with decriminalization. This could have a crippling effect on the Canadian economy.Canadian Foreign Minister Bill Graham said Ottawa would discuss the proposed law with U.S. officials and pointed out that some U.S. states had taken similar measures on pot."I hope we'll be able to explain to our American colleagues that we're working on this... we have to eliminate the use of drugs but (the) way in which we're going to do it is similar to (that chosen by) many of their own states," he told reporters.Ottawa is looking into a proposed system whereby people possessing and cultivating marijuana in amounts less than 1.1 ounces (30 grams) would receive a ticket -- similar to that for a traffic violation -- and a fine. About 20,000 Canadians a year are convicted for the use of marijuana.Source: Reuters Author: David LjunggrenPublished: April 30, 2003 Copyright: 2003 Reuters News ServiceWebsite: http://www.reuters.comContact: http://about.reuters.com/custhelp/Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmVansterdam: Canada's Pot-Smoking Meccahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16117.shtmlCanada's Pending Drug Law Irks U.S.http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16008.shtmlBush Worried by Canadian Marijuana Exports http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15339.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #15 posted by rchandar on May 03, 2003 at 02:25:10 PT: fed up with us drug war yes, a lot of governments and constituencies around the world have increasingly begun to challenge the assumptions of prohibition. this is all relatively new, it has come about in the last five or so years.europe isn't the only place where times are a' changin. a lot of the latin american governments want to do away with prohibition, but they're dependent on us money. but things are going backwards, i think, in asia and the middle east; a lot of those countries even have the death penalty for smoking grass.i think prohibition will inevitably have to fall. if europeans and south americans are fed up with it, chances are that the "legalization" movement isn't just a "passing phase," but the extension of increasingly tolerant, enlightened citizenry who wish for their voice to be heard. it will be a long time, i think, but it will go. that doesn't right the damage done in the meantime, though. --miami fl usa [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by rchandar on May 03, 2003 at 02:20:37 PT: netherlands yeah, the dutch generally just say, "so what"? [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Kegan on May 01, 2003 at 06:20:33 PT Johnny's Gibbering Walters talks shit everywhere, and it works in our favor.Activist: "(Resonable info based on facts and research and history)!"Politition: "(A bunch of rhetoric which basically means nothing)..."Walters: "(Hysterical nonsense based on the most absurd lies eminating from The Bizarro World. Fire! Doom! Blood in the streets!)!!!"I'd say it works in our favor.As for the devil saying he is too eveil.... HE hired the bastard to be Drug Czar.Bush, I mean.Beware the scribes which desire to walk in long robes and … the highest seats in the synagogues and the chief rooms at feasts; Which devour widows' houses, and for a show make long prayers: They shall receive greater damnation." (Luke 20:46-47)YEAH, Baby!!!!!! [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by freedom fighter on April 30, 2003 at 20:04:30 PT Prohobiabitisque Malady! Prohibitionist, prohibitionism, Phobia, Phorbiabitisque, CannaPhobiaist Just twisting around with the words... It would be interesting to know what sort of "treatment" for the "prohibitionists". I am nice guy so, I think a ten by ten cage with no contact with anyone in the world, with a special cage that opens to an enclosed courtyard 50' X 50' that allows sunlight 12 hours 75% of the year, that will be his personal garden.In order to get three meals a day, an ounce of fine K.B. checked for % of THC and quality everyday must be produce. The prisoner will not be allow to plant any tomato plants.AWWWW shucks! why do'nt we do the good ole America way!TAR and feather this fool!PS)Who would want to even smoke his weed?pazff [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by ekim on April 30, 2003 at 19:20:32 PT marijuananews.com Walters said"We have to be concerned about American citizens... when you make the penalties minimal you get more drug use, you get more drug addiction, you get more drug production, you get more drug crime," By Richard Cowan. In the Netherlands, marijuana is not legal although it would be hard to tell after walking by many of the 300-odd Amsterdam coffee shops which sell pot. Grass is treated separately from hard drugs and is "depenalized," essentially a national tolerance policy which allows people to carry 30 grams and less. The 'coffee shops' can sell customers no more than five grams at a time. It has created a rather indifferent view of pot from the nation's 15 million citizens and one of the lowest weed-smoking rates in the industrialized world. The latest United Nations study on global drug trends shows that The Netherlands wouldn't even crack the top 50 in marijuana consumption. The annual percentage of people older than 15 who smoke pot in The Netherlands is 4.1%. In comparison, 8.9% of Canadians do. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by afterburner on April 30, 2003 at 19:19:14 PT: Then I Say To my Soul, "Take Courage. Battle to be won." -Bob MarleyThe truth is an offense but not a sin! - Is he who laugh last, children! is he who win - Is a foolish dog bark at a flying bird! - One sheep must learn, children! to respect the sheperd! -Jah LiveJah Live - sound clip Real Media http://www.bobmarley.com/songs/ram/jahlive.ramJah Live lyrics http://www.bobmarley.com/songs/songs.cgi?jahlive Jah live! children yeah! - Jah-Jah live! children yeah - Jah live! children yeah! - Jah-Jah live! children yeahThe truth is an offense but not a sin! - Is he who laugh last, children! is he who win - Is a foolish dog bark at a flying bird! - One sheep must learn, children! to respect the sheperd!Jah live! children yeah! - Jah-Jah live! children yeah - Jah live! children yeah - Jah-Jah live! children yeah, Jah!Fools sayin' in their heart - Rasta your God is dead - But I and I know Jah! Jah! - Dreaded it shall be dreaded and dreadJah live! children yeah! - Jah-Jah live! children yeah - Jah live! children yeah - Jah-Jah live! children yeahLet Jah a-rise! - Now that the enemies are scattered - Let Jah a-rise! - The enemies, the enemies are scatteredJah live! children yeah! - Jah-Jah live! children yeah - Jah live! children yeah - Jah-Jah live!****************** "Caution, the road is wet" is a metaphor, for the conditions of the struggle. Watch your step, says Bob. -Caution http://www.bobmarley.com/songs/songs.cgi?cautionego transcendence follows ego destruction, and suddenly there is no question. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Lehder on April 30, 2003 at 19:06:12 PT you get, you get, you get, the words of a sicko >>"We have to be concerned about American citizens... when you make the penalties minimal you get more drug use, you get more drug addiction, you get more drug production, you get more drug crime," he told CBC television from Washington.Listen to the rat-a-tat-tat of this drug-war propaganda. If the words don't make sense, if they contradict reality, Walters expects, then maybe the jingle will catch on. But, really, rhyme and reason are both lacking, and all that's left is a threat: Walter's threat that border controls would be tightened and "This could have a crippling effect on the Canadian economy." Buy into U.S. drug-war bullshit or else. It sure sounds familiar, and it's sure beginning to grate on most of the world.I'm little concerned about the beneficial effects marijuana has for people. It's the disease of prohibitionism that renders people dangerous and foolish. Walter's behavior, typical of all drug warriors, of ignoring fact while brow beating his hapless audience with a sour concoction of factual misrepresentation, ignorance and threats, really is an embarrassment to one and all. Where can you take a smucking fart-mouth like this? Nowhere among decent, intelligent people. Maybe you think I'm trying to be cute or satirical by calling prohibitionism a disease. Not at all. Walter's style is truly abnormal, and prohibitionism ought to be recognized as a disease, like voyeurism or exhibitionism, an affliction that compels its victim to serious antisocial behaviors and indecencies. Worse, it's a disease that tells its sufferer, "I'm OK, you're not, I'm wiser and morally better than you, and I'll bankrupt or imprison you to prove it." Such blasphemies call for treatment, not tolerance. This guy is nuts. All we need is a scientific name for his malady and a frank psychological discussion of its etiology. Maybe then it can be treated. It surely should not be taken seriously, and certainly not by the Canadian government. Get well soon, dummy. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by mayan on April 30, 2003 at 17:32:17 PT druid... That is exactly what I was thinking when I read this article. The only "brutal history" I know of is the history associated with the prohibition of alcohol and, more recently...the prohibition of illicit drugs. I still find the timing of all this talk about decriminalizing cannabis very suspect. Here we are, less than a week before the Supreme Court hears the charter challenge which could strike down Canada's cannabis laws. I hope the court doesn't fall for it like they did the last time. This potato isn't going to cool down!The way out is the way in...FOX Cancels Columnist John Kaminski's Appearance: http://rense.com/general37/foxsp.htmKaminski's Best 9/11 Sites - 4th Edition: http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0302/S00024.htmThe Silence about 9/11: http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/stories/HL0304/S00193.htmPaul Thompson't Complete 9/11 Timeline: http://www.cooperativeresearch.org/timeline/9/11 Prior Knowledge/Government Involvement Archive: http://www.propagandamatrix.com/archiveprior_knowledgeGore Vidal Claims 'Bush Junta' Complicit in 9/11:http://www.observer.co.uk/review/story/0,6903,819932,00.htmlHijack Suspects Alive and Well: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/1559151.stm7 of 19 Hijackers Still Alive:http://www.rense.com/general20/alives.htm9/11 - Guilt in High Places:http://emperors-clothes.com/indict/911page1&2.htmWho Gave the Green light for 9/11?http://www.willthomas.net/911part1.htmAir Defenses Stood Down After ATC Alerts Given: http://www.rense.com/general18/atcd.htm [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by global_warming on April 30, 2003 at 16:40:00 PT: Too Bad Johnny Boy, Mr. "Pee In The Cup" Walters, please sit down and shut up, it is time you started to listen to the people, the people that are paying your fat but...Here in America, we are pretty fed up with your hippocrocy, sometime we wonder if you have connections with the big drug cartels, for it is they who stand to lose the most "MONEY", if it should ever be discovered that you have connections with these bastards, rest assured, you shall be tarred and feathered out of town...Surely you must know by now, that what you are fighting for is the brutallity of incarceration of our children, locking up our children in your prisons is a hell that I hope you have to re-live for eternity, if that is not damnation, maybe you will find some deeper hole in hell that you can occupy...I am starting to feel a little better,God Bless CanadaMaybe they can offer the U.S. some light, some glimpse of freedom...gw [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by i420 on April 30, 2003 at 16:19:16 PT You go Canucks!!!! 11 states have decriminalized so what is their problem if Canada does it too???? Sounds like the ol "do as i say not as i do" line. There are too many other issues that need attention than wasting time worrying about Canada. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by MikeEEEEE on April 30, 2003 at 15:34:36 PT Canadians should flip the bird at Walters The drug czar said, I don't think the facts line up. Of course, he's only talking about his facts. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by druid on April 30, 2003 at 15:22:07 PT Brutal History John Walters said:"That's what seems to me to be a little bit in denial in the debate I'm hearing from Canada. It's your decision but I don't think the facts line up in a way that's consistent or makes much sense, especially given the brutal history you've watched right across the border here in the United States." That doesn't make a bit of sense coming from him. The only brutal history I know of or have ever learned in school is the brutal history that prohibition has caused. First during the prohibition of alcohol and now the prohibition of all drugs.There wasn't even an addiction problem in the world except for the odd doctor here and there before US prohibition laws went into effect. You could argue by correlation that prohibition caused addiction.Does anyone know what brutal history he is actually talking about concerning Cannabis decriminalization? [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by BGreen on April 30, 2003 at 15:19:32 PT I don't know, Kegan The devil said walters is too evil to hang around. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Kegan on April 30, 2003 at 14:56:55 PT Lies. Prohibitionist Lies especially given the brutal history you've watched right across the border here in the United States."Yeah. A brutal history of eveil zealots persocuting innocent people. You'll burn in hell for your words, John Walters. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by pokesmotter on April 30, 2003 at 14:56:09 PT: aww boo hoo too bad walters. canada is going to decriminalize. i hope it is a wondeful success. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment