cannabisnews.com: No Intention To Legalize Pot: Cauchon No Intention To Legalize Pot: Cauchon Posted by CN Staff on May 27, 2003 at 10:45:57 PT By CBC News Online Staff Source: CBC Ottawa -- The federal government says it has a five-year plan to discourage people from smoking pot while planning to reduce the penalties for people getting caught with small amounts of it. The Liberals introduced a bill in Parliament on Tuesday that would make possession of small amounts of either marijuana or cannabis resin a ticket offence, taking it out of the criminal court system. Justice Minister Martin Cauchon said the government hopes to have the bill passed this year. At the same time, the government announced a new national drug strategy aimed at reducing substance abuse across the country and costing $245 million over the next five years. "Make no mistake, marijuana is harmful and it will remain illegal," Health Minister Anne McLellan told a news conference. "We do not want Canadians to use marijuana." The lighter penalties for possession are accompanied by heftier ones aimed at growers of cannabis, with penalties increasing with the size of the grow operation. The maximum prison sentence would be 14 years for growing more than 50 marijuana plants – double the current maximum penalty of seven years. "We are not legalizing marijuana and have no intention of doing so," said Cauchon. Cauchon acknowledged that as many as 100,000 Canadians use marijuana on a daily basis, and said the current laws for dealing with it are inadequate. Most Canadians don't believe marijuana possession should be a crime, he said. Nonetheless, opposition to the new bill was immediate, coming from the opposition benches, from advocacy groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving, police groups, and even from parts of the Liberal caucus. "Why it is being proposed at this time when we have not taken it to the public and tested it in a federal election is beyond me," said Liberal MP Dan McTeague. Kevin Sorenson, the Canadian Alliance critic for the Solicitor General, said he was "disappointed" by what he sees as a "step toward legalization." "We're going to fight this," said Alliance MP Randy White. While the Alliance would prefer tougher penalties all around and better enforcement, Tory health critic Greg Thompson said the government should have introduced its new drug strategy long ago. Libby Davies, the New Democrat MP who represents Vancouver East, said the government needs to put in place regulations to govern drug use, rather than trying to stamp it out. "Legal status has little impact on use," she said. Critics are also concerned about how the United States will react, including the possibility of slowing traffic at the border and damaging trade. PROPOSED CANNABIS PENALTIES • Possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana: a fine of $150 for an adult, $100 for a young person. • Possession of one gram or less of cannabis resin: a fine of $300 for an adult and $200 for young people. • Possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana or one gram or less of cannabis resin where aggravating factors exist: a fine of $400 for an adult and $250 for a youth. Aggravating factors include driving a car or being on school property. • Possession of between 15 grams and 30 grams of marijuana: A police officer would decide if the person should receive a ticket or issue a summons for a summary conviction. The ticket fine would be $300 for an adult and $200 for a youth. The summary conviction penalty would be up to six months imprisonment and/or up to a $1,000 fine.Big Picture: Marijuana: http://www.cbc.ca/news/indepth/marijuana/Cannabis Reform Bill: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/media/releases/2003/2003_34bk2.htm Video: ' No Intention ' To Legalize Pot: Cauchon : http://www.cbc.ca/clips/ram-lo/dunn_pot030527.ramSource: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Published: Tuesday, May 27, 2003Copyright: 2003 CBCContact: letters cbc.ca Website: http://www.cbc.ca/Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmPM Tables Relaxed Marijuana Lawhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16402.shtmlLiberals Move To Soften Drug Lawshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16401.shtmlPot Bill To Be Paired with Anti-Drug Initiative http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16396.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #8 posted by global_warming on May 27, 2003 at 17:23:57 PT: Answer to question I was quite disaponted to hear the terms of the new legislation. Liberals, my ass..These fools in parliment are dancing and two stepping around the dirty dick of uncle sam.As far as I can see, they have not taken control of their country, the mafia or underworld still controls them.I will not rest until I can grow the plant in my garden, alongside my basil and oregano.The rotten and putrid souls that bow to the false gods that control this world, will rot in the deepest places in eternal hell, where even my prayers will not be heard..This action in Canada is but a farse, for the people will not have legal access to the herb, they will still have to buy from the corporate criminal, not assured any purity or truth,. The wheels turn, and they will someday have to ask acceptance, into the world that cleanses evil,...When you say "what about the children"? remember the 18 year olds that are doing hard time in prison, for they will someday come to your trial before the mysteries in this universe, and then you can explain how you did this for their own good..Yes fill your pockets, for the time will come, when even you, the one with no compassion, will ask for a chance, to remain in the light of God.gw [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on May 27, 2003 at 15:23:20 PT A Question On News World International they said that our current administration doesn't like that we have states that have reduced penalities for possession of marijuana. I get this terrible feeling that they might try to change those laws and I sure hope they can't or won't do that. These laws have been around for many years with no problems. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on May 27, 2003 at 15:01:37 PT Viewpoints on the New Law http://www.cbc.ca/news/viewpoint/yourspace/pot_reaction.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by lombar on May 27, 2003 at 11:59:29 PT What is the other top story today? Notice the WTO ruling on Canadian softwood...we've been hoodwinked and drawn out...Once upon a time in a (not so) paranoid delusion :PM: "Well George, what's it going to be? B.C. Bud legal, regulated, sold to consumers here and taxed...or...ease up on the softwood tarrifs?"GB: Well, if you legalise pot, we'll test some new weapons on YOU! Or we'll send Pat Robertson up there..you don't want us to do that..PM: "no no...not that..anything but that! We still need some money, our institionalised theft of the worlds resources is expensive, I need 24 hr security now, instead of a pie, they are trying to throw the book at me!"GB: "Well rapine of Canadas forest is consistent with our environmental degradation plan meant to reduce the world population so OK...No BC Bud, No Softwood Tarrifs."PM: "Well what about the medical pot smokers?"GB: "It would be better for them if we burned them at the stake then gave them cannabis so...let em' suffer until we can monopolise the cannabis pharmaceuticals...besides cannabis may have an anti-cancer property, that would impede our efforts at (poor) population reduction"PM: "Well it goes against my..."GB: "Pat Robertston Cretin...PM: "Sorry...we will do it. Have your boots sent over for a lick-shine..."Welcome to Canadian prohibition Mark II. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Jose Melendez on May 27, 2003 at 11:16:16 PT sheep's clothing http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/media/releases/2003/2003_34bk2.htmCannabis Reform BillThe proposed legislative reforms introduced today in the House of Commons would modernize the way Canada enforces the law, providing for alternative penalties against possession of small amounts of cannabis, and to create new, tougher penalties to target large marijuana grow operations. Under the proposals included in the bill, cannabis possession and production will remain illegal in Canada under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. What will change is the approach to enforcement.(snip)...whatever. Drug war is treason. New Law? or Moot Point? (Eventually, prohibition will be criminalized) [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by afterburner on May 27, 2003 at 11:07:48 PT: Good Work, FoM At least people in the States can hear the Canadian Ministers. Not much to see anyway. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on May 27, 2003 at 10:53:36 PT More Audio from The CBC AUDIO: Canada's Solicitor General, Wayne Easter, briefs reporters.(Runs 5:23) http://www.cbc.ca/MRL/clips/ram-newsworld/easter_newser030527.ram [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on May 27, 2003 at 10:51:13 PT Audio from The CBC AUDIO: Health Minister Anne McClellan and Justice Minister Martin Cauchon brief reporters on the new marijuana legislation.(Runs 11:40) http://www.cbc.ca/MRL/clips/ram-newsworld/pot_newser030527.ram [ Post Comment ] Post Comment