cannabisnews.com: Liberals Feud as Marijuana Bill Delayed





Liberals Feud as Marijuana Bill Delayed
Posted by CN Staff on May 15, 2003 at 07:24:58 PT
By Janice Tibbetts, The Ottawa Citizen 
Source: Ottawa Citizen 
The federal government's marijuana bill was suddenly postponed yesterday, amid Liberal infighting, renewed complaints from the U.S. drug czar who called potent "B.C. bud" the "crack" of marijuana, and a warning from Health Minister Anne McLellan that decriminalization will cause a spike in drug use.The bill was expected to be tabled today, but Justice Minister Martin Cauchon said it will not be introduced until at least the last week of May, when Parliament returns from a recess.
Government officials were still haggling yesterday over funding for the new national drug strategy, a prevention, education and treatment package that will accompany legislation to relax marijuana laws by removing possession of less than 15 grams from the Criminal Code.Ms. McLellan, emerging from a Liberal caucus meeting, predicted that decriminalization will lead to an increase in marijuana smoking, as it has in other countries that have softened their laws, before stabilizing."Certainly one has to be ready to deal with that spike," Ms. McLellan 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."Mr. Cauchon disputed Ms. McLellan's prediction, saying: "I don't believe that. Today there are 100,000 Canadians using cannabis on a daily basis."Ms. McLellan's words of caution came the day after Mr. Cauchon returned from Washington, where he said he outlined his marijuana bill in a meeting with a skeptical U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft.The government has retreated from its initial plan to decriminalize 30 grams or less, about the equivalent of an ounce in the imperial system of measurement. Mr. Cauchon has also shifted his emphasis to the harsh measures of his marijuana legislation, which will include stiffer penalties against drug traffickers and marijuana grow operations.But John Walters, the U.S. director of national drug policy, said yesterday that he does not buy Canada's sales pitch and he repeated warning that decriminalization will lead to holdups at the border as officers check for drugs.In an interview, Mr. Walters denounced Canada's plan to decriminalize even 15 grams, particularly considering the increasing prevalence of a potent strain, known as B.C. bud, which he described as the "crack"of marijuana. "It's too much, it should be zero," said Mr. Walters. "If you want to control a drug problem or an addictive substance problem, you have to work on demand and supply."Mr. Walters described Canada's drug problem as "out of control," with marijuana grow operations run by organized crime escalating across the country.Mr. Cauchon has said that Canada intends to hand out fines to small-time users so they will not be saddled with criminal records for the rest of their lives."As justice minister I will do what I think is best for the Canadian population," said Mr. Cauchon.He would not discuss his meeting with Mr. Ashcroft, saying only that he gave his U.S. counterpart the "general principles"of his coming marijuana bill. Critics of the U.S.'s outspoken stand against decriminalization point out that that 12 states also have decriminalization. The crack in the federal cabinet was echoed in the lower ranks of the party, where two backbenchers said they oppose the government's decriminalization plan."Certainly I'm not going to vote for it,"said Niagara Falls MP Gary Pillitteri.Joe Fontana, another Liberal MP from southern Ontario, said that the government should set decriminalization at five grams or less -- about the equivalent of five cigarettes."Fifteen is still too high for simple possession," he said. "What is going to happen is you're going to have a lot more dealing, you're going to have an awful lot more giving to young people, we also have to have a very very good campaign to counteract the signal that might be sent that it's alright if you're prepared to pay the fine."But the prime minister said last night that the bill will move forward despite the objections."It's coming, it's coming. Relax. You don't have to smoke it to relax," Mr. Chrétien told reporters after a $500-a-plate fundraising dinner in Montreal.Note: U.S. warns Canada's drug problem 'out of control' on eve of new law.Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)Author:  Janice Tibbetts, The Ottawa Citizen Published: Thursday, May 15, 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.htmCanada Health Minister Fears Increased Pot Usehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16294.shtmlMarijuana Use May Rise If Liberals Decriminalize http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16293.shtmlOpposition Slams Liberals for Consulting U.S. http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16282.shtml
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Comment #1 posted by TroutMask on May 15, 2003 at 07:33:37 PT
(Insert profanity here.)
So....when is the Supreme Court making it's decision? I don't have the time or patience to watch this charade.-TM
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