cannabisnews.com: New Pot Law To Be Delayed New Pot Law To Be Delayed Posted by CN Staff on May 14, 2003 at 16:06:31 PT By CBC News Staff Source: CBC Ottawa -- The federal government has delayed its plans to introduce legislation that would decriminalize possession of small quantities of marijuana. "I have made it very plain that until we are able to effectively deal with illegally (grown marijuana) in this country, we have a major, major problem," Health Minister Anne McLellan said Wednesday. The new approach to marijuana is supposed to increase penalties for growers and traffickers. McLellan – who sounded more like she was back in her old Justice portfolio – said she sympathized with police who claim they don't have the resources to target growing operations. The same point was made to Justice Minister Martin Cauchon by U.S. authorities Tuesday after he flew down to brief them on the generalities of the coming legislation. 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. Cauchon wants to make possession of less than 15 grams of marijuana a non-criminal offence punishable by a $100 fine. There is also supposed to be a new anti-drug strategy coming out of Health Canada. Reports suggest it will cost $200 million over five years. Details on how that money will be spent haven't been released, but it's thought some will go to policing and border security, and some to health programs. McLellan claimed that in U.S. states that have decriminalized marijuana possession there's been a spike in usage of the drug. "And certainly one has to be ready to deal with that spike," she said. "It can lead to addiction and all sorts of situations in local communities. We have to be ready with information, with education and with treatment." Government officials say the new legislation, which was expected this week, will now be introduced some time before Parliament's summer break. Backgrounder: Up in Smoke?: http://www.cbc.ca/news/indepth/background/marijuana_legalize.htmlSource: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Published: Wednesday, May 14, 2003Copyright: 2003 CBCContact: letters cbc.ca Website: http://www.cbc.ca/Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmMcLellan Worries About Spike in Pot Use http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16290.shtmlCanada Needs Comprehensive Drug Strategyhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16289.shtmlOpposition Slams Liberals for Consulting U.S. http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16282.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by afterburner on May 15, 2003 at 06:06:50 PT: Canada Is Out of Step with United Kingdom... if they don't reduce penalties for personal cultivation.Researchers Call for Softer Pot Cultivation Laws http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/15/thread15957.shtmlego transcendence follows ego destruction, and suddenly there is no problem. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by global_warming on May 14, 2003 at 18:02:25 PT: Folls and Jackasses Lets Dance To the Laws and the Lawyers that sing The rules are determined by the children That feed on my breath and my blood.It amazes me so, to watch These fools go through the dance The rules that bind are forged in Hell Yes there is a Hell And demons exist, There foul mouths open Sucking and breathing All manner and foul, They bring this disease from Hell Into our minds and our Halls.Crucifixions have not revealed How much blood can be poured The Earth absorbs endlessly All Blood spent,With each last breath I see that I cannot Make a defferenceThe system is alive and has taken My soul and my sacred birthright The stars and universe Has been taken By the Lawyers and Fools That govern and pretend To know and to see The Grim Reapers FaceWe all shall stand naked Before the gates of death We share this in commonI hope Canada is a Country Stand together Let not this barbaric USA Dictate or tell, How you will bring up your Life Your children and wifesThis moment is crucial For in time you will regret The generations of children The hopes of love Will be darkened by this intrusion The intrusion of the children That breathe life from Hell The children that owe their life To the demons of HellI hope that I am not censured For the wicked shall try to control I ask If I can make a differnce In this short life of mine?With each letter that I type I hope to say How I feel and what I need I need to banish Evil I need to embrace my Christian goals I need to know that I have cast a vote I need to know that my brothers and sistersIn the name of Christ In the name of the unknown GodMy children will not be caged They will be set free My children will pray for your lost soulsCanada, do what is correct Free the battered children They are the ones that see Beyond your greed They are the ones that seegw [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by puff_tuff on May 14, 2003 at 17:16:23 PT CBC Audio New pot law to be delayedAudio Link: http://www.cbc.ca/clips/ram-audio/hall_w6030514.ramChris Hall reports for CBC Radio (Runs 2:15) [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by druid on May 14, 2003 at 16:21:02 PT Those Crazy Cannabians! eanwhile, one ordinary Canadian took matters into his own hands.John Turmel, a self-described professional gambler and perennial fringe candidate who has run 54 unsuccessful campaigns for political office, showed up on Parliament Hill to light up a joint.He then tried to take a duffle bag - which he said contained seven pounds of marijuana - into the Parliament Buildings, saying he wanted to deliver some to Prime Minister Jean Chretien.Turmel was arrested by the RCMP and charged with possession for purposes of trafficking. He said he will fight the case in court.---------------------The rest of the article is about Anne Mclellans recent statements.http://www.canada.com/health/story.html?id=45E94951-C524-40BA-A8F1-29895A9B6EDC [ Post Comment ] Post Comment