cannabisnews.com: Ottawa Plans To Stir Up Pot Strategy





Ottawa Plans To Stir Up Pot Strategy
Posted by CN Staff on May 27, 2003 at 06:42:28 PT
By Kathleen Harris, Ottawa Bureau
Source: Calgary Sun
Ottawa -- The federal government will unveil a revamped national drug strategy today that softens up on pot users, but cracks down on marijuana growers. Justice Minister Martin Cauchon insisted yesterday the policy's merits must be judged as a package, not on one single component of decriminalization. He denied the plan has been watered down to address concerns from the U.S. 
"All the policies are decisions that have been taken some time ago," he said. "We've reflected on it, we've consulted with people. It's going to be a good policy for Canadians." The earlier plan was to decriminalize stashes of up to 30 grams, but recent reports have suggested the cap will be shrunk to 15 grams. But even that's too much for Canadian Alliance MP Randy White, who worries the government's new package will signal a "green light" towards legalization of marijuana. "There is a big concern that the Canadian government is following the philosophical bent of some European cities as opposed to the North American issues on drugs," he said. Health Minister Anne McLellan stressed new penalties for simple possession are part of a comprehensive plan that will include community-based prevention, education and treatment programs. "One would hope that nobody smokes, whether it's tobacco or marijuana," she said. Deputy Prime Minister John Manley said he isn't concerned about the impact on trade relations with the U.S. in the short term, but the situation will be closely monitored. Ontario Attorney General Norm Sterling criticized Ottawa's plan, arguing the intoxicating chemical in pot is up to 30 times stronger today than two decades ago. Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)Author: Kathleen Harris, Ottawa BureauPublished:  Tuesday, May 27, 2003 Copyright: 2003 The Calgary SunContact: callet sunpub.comWebsite: http://www.fyicalgary.com/calsun.shtmlRelated Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmNew Pot Law Coming Tuesday http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16397.shtmlPot Bill To Be Paired with Anti-Drug Initiative http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16396.shtmlOttawa To Preach Perils of Pot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16395.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Post Comment