cannabisnews.com: Pot Decriminalization Could Mean Tough Enforcement





Pot Decriminalization Could Mean Tough Enforcement
Posted by CN Staff on April 30, 2003 at 18:45:39 PT
By CBC News 
Source: CBC
Victoria - Solicitor General Rich Coleman says the federal government's plans to decriminalize marijuana could actually lead to more pot charges being laid. The federal changes will make possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana – enough to roll 30 joints – a minor offence with a $200 fine, much like a traffic ticket. Coleman says, in recent years, police in B.C. haven't laid charges for simple possession in most cases. There were 12,000 seizures last year, but police only recommended 1,500 possession charges.
But the solicitor general predicts that will change, warning that decriminalization will see police ticket people when they seize small amounts of marijuana. "I think it would actually raise the level of enforcement – that a lot more people would actually be charged and getting fines with regards to simple possession of marijuana." Coleman also says it may also be difficult for authorities to collect all the fines for possessing marijuana, just as it's often difficult now to collect traffic fines. Coleman – an ex-RCMP officer who has been a vocal critic of Ottawa's plans – says he's told the federal minister, Martin Cauchon, he must have an infrastructure in place to enforce the new law.Marijuana advocates plan counterattack The president of the B.C. Marijuana Party decriminalization is a good first step, and says he has a plan to clog up the courts if police start writing a lot of tickets. "We're going to tell everyone across Canada to plead not guilty, take up as much time in court as possible and defend yourself so you don't have to spend money on lawyers," says Marc Emery. "We're going to tell people to tax the patience of the court to the degree that police officers are completely discouraged from giving out fines." Complete Title: Pot Decriminalization Could Mean Tougher EnforcementSource: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Published: April 30, 2003Copyright: 2003 CBCWebsite: http://www.cbc.ca/Contact: cbcinput toronto.cbc.caRelated Articles & Web Sites:BC Marijuana Partyhttp://www.bcmarijuanaparty.ca/Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmCommentary: Canada Revisiting Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16120.shtmlVansterdam: Canada's Pot-Smoking Meccahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16117.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #3 posted by WolfgangWylde on May 01, 2003 at 04:51:18 PT
I hope..
...Mr. Emery's right. Because there are those, and I happen to be one of them, who think that Canada's version of decrim is a step backwards. Today, as things stand, if you get busted for possession, nothing happens. No fine, no jail, nada. The judge tosses it. Once decrim is in place, the rich will get off, the poor will have it stuck to them as before. And then, of course, Canada will begin to ramp up enforcement in other areas (grow-ops, dealing, etc) to U.S. draconian levels. Count on it.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by FoM on April 30, 2003 at 20:53:25 PT
The GCW 
I'm not sure if I can answer your question. I was taught that we support Israel because of this scripture below.“I will bless those who bless you and I will
curse those who curse you.” Genesis 12:3 + 27:29
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by The GCW on April 30, 2003 at 20:23:31 PT
Tough inforcement is terrorism.
Christians 4 Cannabis Cannabis 4 Christians US drug-war ads say drugs fund terrorism. Terrorism begins/ends in Israel: http://sf.indymedia.org/news/2003/04/1603174_comment.php We often ask why does America support Israel? Could it be because of the importance in having ISRAEL supporting cannabis prohibition in Biblical proportions? What would happen if Israel, Jerusalem and Jews came out speaking the Truth, throughout the world, that cannabis like all the green plants are good, and none are reason for caging people over? What would that do to / for America? Are the Jews getting wrath because they discount cannabis? The Bible seems to say this will happen and it is. To deny God's word, beginning at the very 1st page of the Bible, where it says all the green... is good, is to deny Christ God Our Father and the Holy Spirit of Truth. Before You can teach "DO NOT KILL", You must teach, do not cage Your brother for using plants. And look at what Isreal gets for helping America perpetuate the prohibition of what Our Father said was good. How instramental is it to have Israel deny the word of God, to help the U.S. prohibit cannabis?Have You run "kaneh bosm" through Your search engine yet?
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment