cannabisnews.com: Penalties To Double for Growing Marijuana





Penalties To Double for Growing Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on May 14, 2003 at 06:47:13 PT
By Rick Mofina and David Vienneau 
Source: Ottawa Citizen 
The federal government plans to double the maximum penalty for anyone convicted of growing marijuana for the purposes of trafficking. "For illegal growers the maximum penalty will be 14 years," a source told Global television yesterday. "It's going to be tougher, a lot tougher. There is also going to be an education strategy and an enforcement strategy, a guideline for police." That's the tough line Justice Minister Martin Cauchon took to Washington in a bid to convince the Bush administration that growing, distributing and trafficking in marijuana will still be a serious crime in Canada. 
The Bush administration has warned of border snarls should Canada decriminalize simple possession of marijuana by making it a ticketable offence, much like a traffic violation without taking a tougher line of growers and traffickers.The proposed law is expected to be tabled in the House of Commons tomorrow, although officials were still working on the finishing touches last night.Since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the federal government has occasionally exchanged views on security legislation with U.S. counterparts."We're modernizing the sentences for marijuana," said Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.Mr. Cauchon was to brief U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft in Washington last night.The Opposition portrayed the Liberals as bending to the U.S. before Parliament had seen the legislation."Why this contempt of Parliament?" asked NDP MP Bill Blaikie."We cannot table something that does not exist," Mr. Chrétien replied.Speaker Peter Milliken said he found no breach of parliamentary privilege in the matter.Mr. Chrétien said Mr. Cauchon would explain Canada's plans to change marijuana laws, which, he said, will be similar to the laws in some American states."So the minister's going there, he will explain that," Mr. Chrétien said. "It is important to communicate when people ask questions."Mr. Cauchon denied the new law sent a message the country was tolerant of drug abuse."Not at all. We want to make sure we put in place better penalties that we will be able to enforce," he said. Mr. Cauchon added that the government wants "to send a better message, as well, that the use of cannabis is illegal in Canada."Rick Mofina and David Vienneau, The Ottawa Citizen; with files from Global News.Note: Cauchon to brief U.S. government on proposals.Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)Author:   Rick Mofina and David VienneauPublished: Wednesday, May 14, 2003Copyright: 2003 The Ottawa CitizenContact: letters thecitizen.southam.caWebsite: http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/ Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmOpposition Slams Liberals for Consulting U.S. http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16282.shtmlChretien Tries To Soothe U.S. Fears Over Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16280.shtmlCauchon To Brief U.S. on Pot Law Changes http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16278.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #4 posted by Virgil on May 14, 2003 at 07:54:09 PT
The new law is rotten and won't stay down
"We're modernizing the sentences for marijuana," said Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.It is hard to get that much crap into so few words, but with reefer madness everything is possible. The perverters can take someone bound to a wheelchair and stand them on their head. This law will be received worse in Canada than in Great Britain where many find the law painfully silly. Then again, the whole idea of prohibition is to keep the price up and give the black market a chance to push some heroin and cocaine for the CIA. I still wonder about the debate in the Senate as this is a total departure of the sense shown in the Special Committee Report on Illegal Drugs. It is bad policy that puts wants a high price for cannabis as an end to itself. Then their is the cash cow that RC is always talking about in regards to the fines.Prohibition sucks. Prohibition kills. The only thing that will work is ending prohibition. Half of Canada is solidly for legalization and that number is increasing. Only legalization will end the controversy and this rotten law will bring new politicians that see their duty and actually do it. The subservience to the US will make all of Canada sick and the rotten laws if passed and upheld by the courts will never stay down.Brazil and Spain lead the world to light and the US wants darkness. It is really an ugly situation and there really is reefer madness warping everything. The proposed laws are ugly but not near as ugly as having a foreign power determining your laws and policy. It seems like the media is up for the issue.Narconews now has a way to comment on some of their stories. Brazil is the largest country in Latin America and they are abandoning prohibition. The perverts will have to pervert freedom and reason somewhere else. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on May 14, 2003 at 07:49:28 PT
Let 'em know what they're getting
Governments should be forced to use a standard "new initiative" process for any policy change. They should be forced to list Projected Cost of every new iniative.How receptive would everyone be if the proposition was "Increase marijuana penalties. Tax increase of $250 million per year to build new prisons, pay more police and prosecutors. Violence increase of 500 murders per year, 2500 shootings nationally."Copy US policies, get US results.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by TroutMask on May 14, 2003 at 06:59:44 PT
I agree WW
The only hope left may be the Canadian Supreme Court.-TM
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by WolfgangWylde on May 14, 2003 at 06:49:15 PT
A huge step...
...backwards in Canada. We got our clocks cleaned big time.
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment