cannabisnews.com: McLellan Worries About Spike in Pot Use McLellan Worries About Spike in Pot Use Posted by CN Staff on May 14, 2003 at 12:50:24 PT By The Canadian Press Source: Canadian Press Ottawa -- Canada must be prepared for a potential increase in marijuana use - at least in the short run - if simple possession of pot is decriminalized, says Health Minister Anne McLellan.Reports from U.S. states that have dropped criminal sanctions indicate there's a spike in use immediately after the law is changed, McLellan said Wednesday as she left a Liberal caucus meeting. She said use levels eventually drop back to "normal" but it's important to be prepared all the same. "Certainly one has to be ready to deal with that spike," she said. "It can lead to addiction, it can lead to all sorts of situations within local communities. You need to be ready with information, with education, and with treatment."Her comments came a day after Justice Minister Martin Cauchon travelled to Washington to brief U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft on the Liberal government's plan to do away with jail terms and criminal records for people convicted of possession of small amounts of pot.They would receive fines instead, with the offence treated in much the manner of a traffic violation.Cauchon said the meeting was "cordial" but wouldn't say how Ashcroft reacted, or whether the concerns of the U.S. administration about Canada's move to decriminalization have been laid to rest.Source: Canadian Press Published: Wednesday, May 14, 2003Copyright: 2003 The Canadian PressRelated Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmCanada Needs Comprehensive Drug Strategyhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16289.shtmlOpposition Slams Liberals for Consulting U.S. http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16282.shtmlChretien Tries To Soothe U.S. Fears Over Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16280.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by Prime on May 14, 2003 at 16:17:49 PT Pathetic... But I think this if for the best.They never had any intention of passing this legislation, it was simply political manuvevering.The laws they were about to pass made zero sense in the first place. Its ok to have it and smoke it, just as long as its not 15.000000001 grams. If its more than that... your in big trouble. Fourteen years for having a grow operation? Lets hope the Supreme Court can pull some proverbial heads out of some proverbial asses shall we? [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by druid on May 14, 2003 at 16:00:56 PT Pot Laws to be delayed!! :( http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/05/14/potlaw_delay030514 Cauchon told reporters after question period that delaying the legislation has nothing to do with U.S. concerns, adding he thinks the policy change is a good one. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by phil_debowl on May 14, 2003 at 14:59:44 PT Bubble they've created their own bubble, and they won't tell us where it is cause they know we'll pop it and they'll have to face the real world, and not their made up one. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Big Trees on May 14, 2003 at 14:53:15 PT how long is this going to go on????? "Certainly one has to be ready to deal with that spike," she said. "It can lead to addiction, it can lead to all sorts of situations within local communities. You need to be ready with information, with education, and with treatment."They act like the day they decriminalize everyone will just be able to go out and get some cannabis... like they can't just go out and get some now if they want it. Were is this bubble these fools living in? I would like to visit it please. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment