cannabisnews.com: Relaxation of MJ Law To Take Until Christmas Relaxation of MJ Law To Take Until Christmas Posted by CN Staff on May 19, 2003 at 06:13:13 PT By Rick Mofina, The Ottawa Citizen Source: Ottawa Citizen Canadians won't likely see the federal government's new marijuana law until later this year, says a senator who headed a committee calling for the relaxation of penalties for marijuana users."Probably by Christmas we'll have new amendments," said Tory Senator Pierre-Claude Nolin, told Ottawa Inside Out, Global TV's Sunday morning news program. Justice Minister Martin Cauchon is poised to introduce long-promised legislation later this month that would relax marijuana laws by removing possession of less than 15 grams from the Criminal Code."He was supposed to do it this week. It was postponed to some time before the adjournment in June," Mr. Nolin said, adding that it now appears unlikely until the end of the year.Mr. Nolin, who chaired a Senate committee that recommended a form of legalization by which marijuana would be controlled and sold in much the same way as wine, said Canada's objective has not been explained properly to wary U.S. officials in Washington."Here in Canada we're going to have de-penalization, smaller sanctions for an illegal action," said Mr. Nolin, adding that some U.S. states have done the same thing. "We have to explain to them (the U.S.) what are our objectives."Police across Canada are concerned with the government's move to ease its laws on what is now illicit drug use, Mike Niebudek vice-president of the Canadian Police Association, told the program."There has to be a threshold. There has to be a line drawn somewhere and right now the line is being drawn at the marijuana level," Mr. Niebudek said. "For some people, especially children, what we're sending is a strong message that society is not tolerating the possession of marijuana right now."Mr. Niebudek said easing Canada's marijuana possession law would led to abuse of harder drugs. Mr. Nolin disagreed.The chaos over marijuana laws was compounded Friday by Ontario Superior Court Justice Steven Rogin's ruling that possessing less than 30 grams of marijuana is no longer against the law in Ontario.Mr. Niebudek said the law still stands until the Supreme Court of Canada rules on Judge Rogin's decision, which is likely to be appealed to the high court.In an effort to win over nervous Liberal colleagues, Mr. Cauchon has emphasized the bill will include stiffer penalties against drug traffickers and marijuana grow operations.Note: Delay will give time to explain changes to wary U.S. officials.Complete Title: Relaxation of Marijuana Laws Will Take Until ChristmasSource: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)Author: Rick Mofina, The Ottawa Citizen Published: Monday, May 19, 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.htmPot Decriminalization Fears 'Overblown': Experthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16331.shtmlNo Laws Ban Possession of Marijuana, Court Ruleshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16321.shtmlStop The Reefer Madness http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16301.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #7 posted by darwin on May 19, 2003 at 11:03:44 PT falling sky the problem with this scenario is this: Who determines if the sky has fallen? The sky has never fallen, but in the US, we hear that it is all the damn time from the media, and unfortunately fear sells and and it allows governments to get away with murder.So my question is: Who owns/controls the media in Canada? Are they going to report honestly or are they going to whip up unwarrented fear in the public? Who pays for the advertisements on Canadian media. US companies? Canadian companies? [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Dark Star on May 19, 2003 at 09:10:18 PT Close I agree with the scenario you describe, but I do believe that many policy makers in Canada have been ignorant and incompetent. If a better situation results, then fate has been generous. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Sam Adams on May 19, 2003 at 08:56:32 PT One more thing....... Also, by the end of 2003 Bush's Number One focus will be on re-election. He'll have a lot less energy to devote to attacking Canada's marijuana policy. Do you think he's going to bend over backward in the middle of a re-election campaign to start a trade war with Canada over MJ decrim, an issue which Americans favor by 72%?The Canadians pols aren't stupid and incompetent, they just want you to think they are. Straight outta "Brave New World". But hey, we'll take it! [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Sam Adams on May 19, 2003 at 08:53:47 PT smells like a setup.... So basically possession is legal in Canada until at least Christmas. And by then, the people will have had 6 months to get used to the idea. It's seems pretty clear that within a month, police will no longer be arresting anyone for possession in any of the provinces. It looks like the cowardly government has decided what to do.1) Make it seem like the big bully G. W. Bush is stopping them from changing the law 2) Let the "horse out of the barn" for 6 months 3) Let the Supreme Court strike the laws down, or, in view of recent developments, let the Supreme Court refuse to reinstate prohibition. 4) When the US and the Canadian LEO and prosecutors start crying in protest, claim that the Court did it, and also "hey, it's too late now". Also, they will be able to note that in 6 months the sky has not fallen.Sounds damn good to me! The more these bumbling idiots stall and waffle around, the more it makes me think they'll never get anything done! [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Ethan Russo MD on May 19, 2003 at 07:11:08 PT: Senator Nolin I met Senator Nolin, and he was sharp enough to recall immediately that some of my work was cited in the Canadian Senate Report. I have heard him speak. This is a man who has truly educated himself about cannabis, and genuinely understands the issues.Read his committee's report here:http://www.parl.gc.ca/common/Committee_SenRep.asp?Language=E&Parl=37&Ses=1&comm_id=85It is the single best considered and coherent government commission report on cannabis ever formulated. If only he were making the decisions. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by The GCW on May 19, 2003 at 06:53:07 PT Exactly, Wolfgang Wylde Make that Christmas 3003. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by WolfgangWylde on May 19, 2003 at 06:27:52 PT Law.. ...what law? Hey Parliament, take your time. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment