cannabisnews.com: Gov't Taking a Step Back on Marijuana Law Gov't Taking a Step Back on Marijuana Law Posted by CN Staff on May 15, 2003 at 14:51:33 PT By The CTV.ca News Staff Source: CTV The federal government has delayed plans to introduce legislation that would de-criminalize marijuana possession, apparently because of resistance from inside the Liberal caucus. Sources told CTV's Craig Oliver the resistance comes from a minority of backbenchers and, more significantly, from within the Health Department. Health Minister Anne McLellan, upon leaving a caucus meeting Wednesday, said she had expressed concerns about plans to ease penalties for possession of marijuana. She said it could lead to a "spike" in drug use, and eventual long-term health consequences.She said research in U.S. states that have decriminalized possesion show that 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." Liberal MPs got their first look at the draft law Wednesday, one day after Justice Minister Martin Cauchon took it to Washington.Cauchon met with U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft Tuesday evening to brief him on the government's plan in an attempt to calm concerns over Ottawa's plans to decriminalize pot.The meeting was private and Cauchon's office would not discuss what the pair spoke about. But it was expected Cauchon would stress that although the penalties for possession would be changing, marijuana would remain illegal.Details of the new bill have not been released to the public. But reports say Cauchon's draft provided a maximum sentence for growers to double from seven to 14 years. But possession for 15 grams or less would result in fines of $200 to $300.The 15-gram limit for non-criminal possession is half the 30 grams recommended by a Commons committee.Cauchon, who had planned to introduce the legislation Thursday, said the bill will be tabled in about two weeks.With a report from The Canadian PressSource: CTV (Canada)Published: May 15, 2003Copyright: 2003 Bell Globemedia Interactive Inc. Website: http://www.ctv.ca/Contact: newsonline ctv.ca Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmStop The Reefer Madness http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16301.shtmlOttawa's Pot Plan Overhaul Delayed Two Weekshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16300.shtmlOpposition Slams Liberals for Consulting U.S. http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16282.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #9 posted by FoM on May 15, 2003 at 22:40:13 PT Current Results: Globe and Mail Poll Globe Poll The federal government is on the verge of decriminalizing marijuana. Should they go one step further and legalize it?Yes -- 1528 votes -- (54 %) No -- 1287 votes -- (46 %) Total Votes: 2815 Please Vote: http://globeandmail.com/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on May 15, 2003 at 18:57:04 PT Globe and Mail Poll Globe Poll The federal government is on the verge of decriminalizing marijuana. Should they go one step further and legalize it? Yes -- 464 votes -- (51 %) No -- 441 votes -- (49 %) Total Votes: 905 Please Vote: http://globeandmail.com/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on May 15, 2003 at 18:53:29 PT Global TV Video Our Drug LawsThursday, May 15, 2003 -- Tonight we lead with a story that didn't happen and the likely reason why. This was supposed to be the day Ottawa took the historic first step of decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana and cracking down on growers. But a last minute trip to Washington to feel the Americans out on the idea seems to have had the effect of delaying the new law, maybe for good. http://www.canada.com/toronto/globaltv/info/video/150503gn_story.ram [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by mayan on May 15, 2003 at 18:38:11 PT OOPS! Here's the correct link for the O'Reilly poll...http://billoreilly.com/index.jsp [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by 2Spooky on May 15, 2003 at 18:16:25 PT Woot! We are winning! Got email from Libertarian HQ of all things asking me to go vote, heheheh!53 yes 47 no, now :) [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by mayan on May 15, 2003 at 17:49:43 PT O'Reilly Poll Here's the O'Reilly poll that RevHappy posted earlier. We've now taken the lead. Lets make it a blowout. Keep voting!Should marijuana be decriminalized in the U.S.?Yes - 51%No - 49%Here's the Poll: http://billoreilly.com/site/SurveyHere's something very interesting...Lawsuit Alleges FEMA Funded by Laundered Drug Profits: http://www.g-vision.com/newsletter/laundered_drug_profits.shtmlThe way out IS the way in...Crypto-government:Why keep Americans guessing about 9/11? http://www.sacbee.com/content/opinion/story/6667888p-7619629c.htmlAn Interesting Day - President Bush's Movements and Actions on 9/11: http://www.scoop.co.nz/archive/scoop/stories/09/1c/200305151100.733389d4.htmlPolitical Deception - The Missing Link Behind 9/11: http://rense.com/general37/911.htm9/11 Film Draws Overflow Crowd: http://onlinejournal.com/Media/050703Lynn/050703lynn.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by TecHnoCult on May 15, 2003 at 15:44:43 PT Courts I guess it's up to the courts now.THC [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by i420 on May 15, 2003 at 15:27:59 PT t's like that... So much for your sovereign country huh.... bow to Amerika. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on May 15, 2003 at 14:52:25 PT Related CTV Videos http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1052908716102_204///?hub=Canada [ Post Comment ] Post Comment