cannabisnews.com: Pot Laws In Canada About To Ease Up Pot Laws In Canada About To Ease Up Posted by CN Staff on May 14, 2003 at 09:22:18 PT By Robin Smith, Staff Writer Source: Caledonian-Record Canada is on the verge of liberalizing marijuana possession laws, and Vermont law enforcement officers - like others in the United States - aren't happy. "We are pretty concerned," said Capt. Michael P. Jennings, special investigations unit commander of the Vermont State Police. "It isn't just the weed, it's the crime that goes with it." Jennings said the increasingly powerful hydroponic marijuana smuggled across the border now is more valuable than ever to drug dealers who are seeking U.S. markets. The pressure on the world's friendliest border will only increase if possession is not a crime across Canada.A bill to reduce the crime of possessing a small amount of marijuana to the equivalent of a traffic ticket is likely to be introduced into the Canadian parliament later this week.Jails terms and criminal records for such offenses would be eliminated and fines of $100 would be imposed instead, according to the Canadian Press.Possession of a small amount of marijuana in northern Vermont might mean a $300 fine for a first-time offender, based on recent Orleans County District Court cases. However, the offender would still have a criminal record.The White House has said that if marijuana possession is decriminalized in Canada, the United States will have to tighten border inspections. That could affect border crossings here in northern Vermont and other border states.Bush administration officials say the proposal will result in tighter security measures, more inspections and longer traffic tie-ups as well as disrupt the more than $1 billion a day in trade between the two countries, according to The Associated Press.Canadian newspapers are reporting that penalties on dealers, growers and others in the illegal drug trade would be stiffened.Vermont law enforcement officials say decriminalization will affect the fight to reduce the amount of marijuana coming here from Canada.Jennings said there will undoubtedly be an impact on Vermont crime. He oversees the Vermont Drug Task Force, among other special units.Illegal growers in Canada have been perfecting the quality of marijuana grown hydroponically, using fertilizers, lights and the right strains to achieve a fast-growing plant that has more drug in it.It's valuable, and it's attracting a lot of crime. The value of the marijuana is much higher, some saying $8,000 a pound. Vermont police have seen dealers use a helicopter to sneak marijuana across the border into the Northeast Kingdom, and they have seen a murder in Texas that has a connection with a Vermont drug bust, Jennings said Tuesday."This is not the marijuana of the '60s," he said.Aside from Canadian marijuana potency, Jennings and other U.S. officials don't like Canada setting an example that marijuana is OK to use.Once marijuana is treated differently, more people will experiment with it, he said. More Canadian residents and American tourists will have access to it in Canada, and bring that sentiment back home.Legalizing marijuana doesn't end abuse, Jennings said. "The most abused drug in the world is legal - alcohol," he said.Jennings remained hopeful that U.S. political pressure, and warnings that the border will be tightened, will change the minds of Canadian leaders.The Caledonian-Record is a daily newspaper serving Northern Vermont and Northern New Hampshire.Note: Vermont Police Worry Move Will Impact Crime HereSource: Caledonian-Record, The (VT)Author: Robin Smith, Staff WriterPublished: Wednesday, May 14, 2003Copyright: 2003 The Caledonian-RecordContact: fontainer caledonian-record.com Website: http://www.caledonianrecord.com Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmU.S. Briefed on Ottawa's Marijuana Law Plans http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16285.shtmlPenalties To Double for Growing Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16284.shtmlOpposition Slams Liberals for Consulting U.S. http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16282.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by Lehder on May 14, 2003 at 11:18:47 PT "Capt. Michael P. Jennings" What makes this guy so very wise that he should be speaking to newspapers and pontificating on sociology? He was hired because he can swing a club and pull a trigger. He's just a cop, and it doesn't take much to become a cop. Most people, most marijuana smokers, are a lot more ambitious. A cop is the last person from whom any educated person would seek advice or information. Who the hell is he talking to? Who does he think is listening to him? Shut up, dummy. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on May 14, 2003 at 10:59:09 PT $8,000 a Pound! I find that amount more then hard to believe. That's a lot of money! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Sam Adams on May 14, 2003 at 09:45:54 PT How nice of this newpaper.. to serve as publicist for the State Police. It costs a lot of money to hire a publicist to write your press releases & get them in the media. Maybe the newspaper could get some kind of tax rebate?I love this "This is not the marijuana of the 60's". He's absolutely right, there was no violence or crime associated with MJ in the 60's - the whole MJ industry was run by peaceful hippies. Now, with harsh laws and jail sentences, we've handed the industry over to professional, hardened criminals. Nice work!Geez, if alcohol is such a dangerous drug, why are we allowing those yellow, soft, FRENCH-Canadians to ship in Labatts, Molson, and Moosehead by the truckload? WHAT ABOUT CANADIAN CLUB? A DANGEROUS, high-potency form of alcohol? [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by John Tyler on May 14, 2003 at 09:41:09 PT Fear of new ideas Once marijuana is treated differently, more people will experiment with it, he said. More Canadian residents and American tourists will have access to it in Canada, and bring that sentiment back home.If people get new ideas in their heads, what will happen then? [ Post Comment ] Post Comment