cannabisnews.com: Canada Not Going To Pot with New Marijuana Law





Canada Not Going To Pot with New Marijuana Law
Posted by CN Staff on May 12, 2003 at 21:26:28 PT
By Alan Poirier
Source: Medicine Hat News 
With Ottawa poised to unveil legislation this week which would decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, the stage is being set for a more rational strategy on illicit drug use. According to news reports, the government will introduce a bill as early as Thursday that would decriminalize possession of marijuana in amounts below 15 grams -- the equivalent of 20 cigarettes. Individuals found with less than that amount would be ticketed and fined under the federal Contraventions Act. 
The new approach is controversial and has a few critics. U.S. officials have already expressed concerns about the idea, complaining that Canada is already a prime source of marijuana in their country. Decriminalizing simple possession, Washington argues, is only going exacerbate the problem. The Canadian Police Association has also been lobbying the government to give officers discretionary powers over whether to charge people if they are found carrying marijuana, particularly if they have a criminal history. And within Cabinet, there are reportedly ministers who think the government has gone too far and worry about the new law's effects on U.S.-Canada relations. Official reaction in Washington should not guide the federal government. The Bush administration has blinders on when it comes to marijuana. It cannot even bring itself to allow the medicinal use of marijuana even though it has been shown to be useful in treating a number of illnesses. The public in both countries, however, are not opposed to decriminalization. Poll after poll shows that the vast majority of people believe people should not be saddled with criminal records for the mere use of marijuana. And there's little doubt, too, that the current approach to illicit drug use -- strict law enforcement -- has done little to stop the growing use of marijuana. Ottawa's new approach is more in keeping with current thinking. Marijuana use would not be made legal, but nor would it be subject to criminal sanctions. Alan Poirier is managing editor of the News. Send your comments to: apoirier my403.comSource: Medicine Hat News (CN AB)Author: Alan PoirierPublished: Monday, May 12, 2003Copyright: 2003 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc.Contact: mdhletters medicinehatnews.comWebsite: http://www.medicinehatnews.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmNow, They Don't Like Our Marijuana Planhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16245.shtmlLiberals To Water Down Marijuana Billhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16244.shtml For Sensible Marijuana Policy, Go Northhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16225.shtml
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