cannabisnews.com: Pot Debate? Not in Ohio 





Pot Debate? Not in Ohio 
Posted by CN Staff on May 28, 2003 at 22:53:15 PT
By Benjamin Duer, T-R Staff Writer 
Source: Times-Reporter 
While Canadians debate over a proposal to decriminalize small amounts of cannabis in their country – much to the chagrin of U.S. officials – the state of Ohio did it in the 1980s. In Ohio, possession of less than 100 grams of marijuana is a minor misdemeanor, the equivalent of a speeding ticket, and punishable by a $100 fine.There is no jail time.
Although New Philadelphia Police Chief Jeff Urban didn’t give a ringing endorsement to Ohio’s law, he said there’s not much police can do except to follow it.“We’ve lived with that for awhile,” he said, “but the problem with marijuana use is similar to alcohol use. It’s a drug and it can lead to other (dangerous) things.”According to the news service Reuters, the proposed Canadian law would only fine people caught with 15 grams or less of marijuana – $110 (in U.S. dollars) for adults and $73 for juveniles.The bill also would reduce criminal penalties on the growth of up to 25 marijuana plants. In cases of possession of 15 grams to 30 grams, police would be given the discretion of a fine or press for a summary conviction which, as at present, could result in up to six months in jail.“When you lower the penalties, people tend to take more risk to use it,” Urban said. “I think it’s almost like saying it’s OK in certain amounts – which is not a good thing.”Lt. Doug Goudy, jail administrator at the Tuscarawas County jail, said he believes Ohio marijuana laws should be stiffened because current ones don’t deter future drug use.“I see people come in and out (of jail) for marijuana offenses all the time. Many of them are repeat offenders,” he said. Plus, he added, “(Marijuana) leads to more serious drugs.”However, marijuana supporters welcome Canada’s bill. “We think it’s a small but significant step in the right direction,” said Bruce Mirken, director of communications for the Marijuana Policy Project in Washington, D.C.The Marijuana Policy Project is a reform group, which promotes removal of criminal punishment for marijuana use, especially for medical purposes. Mirken said the “moderate” proposal would align Canada with other countries, including Great Britain and Spain, which reportedly already have decriminalized marijuana use.In addition to Ohio, there are 11 other states that also have reportedly eliminated jail time as punishment for possession of small amounts of marijuana.They are Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina and Oregon.Despite some state approval for the lower penalties, one of the biggest opponents of Canada’s proposal comes from the United States government.U.S. drug czar John Walters reportedly worries about the potential for increased marijuana imports into the country from its northerly neighbor and greater cultivation of the drug.And, according to the U.S. Justice Department’s 2003 National Drug Threat Assessment report, Canada is a main source of foreign-grown marijuana available in the United States.Walters reportedly has warned that this proposed Canadian law could tighten security through U.S. borders, if approved.However, Mirken contended Walters’ claims are based loosely on factual information and said, “there are no signs of (these great dangers)” in the 12 decriminalized states.Not every provision of the Canadian proposal is met with open arms by the Marijuana Policy Project, Mirken said.According to Reuters, the bill also would increase maximum penalties for large marijuana cultivators. Mirken said his marijuana reform organization has concerns with this term.“By increasing penalties and toughening enforcement of growth and distribution, what they may do is push the marijuana market further into the hands of the most hardcore criminal element,” Mirken said.He said his reform group would agree to a regulated system, like alcohol and tobacco. “There is room for discussion on the details,” he said, “but we would like to see a regulated market for adults with punishment reserved for behavior which harms others.” Complete Title: Pot Debate? Not in Ohio -- Phila Chief Still No Fan of Easing Marijuana LawsSource: Times-Reporter (OH)Author: Benjamin Duer, T-R Staff Writer Published: Thursday, May 29, 2003Copyright: 2003 The Times-ReporterContact: timesreporter tusco.netWebsite: http://www.timesreporter.comRelated Articles & Web Site:Marijuana Policy Projecthttp://www.mpp.org/Drug Scheme Full of Mixed Messageshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16429.shtmlLegalize Pot, Says Mayor Campbellhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16423.shtmlA Realistic Revision of The Cannabis Lawhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16421.shtml 
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on July 17, 2003 at 11:22:48 PT
afterburner
I would be very happy if this happens! Thanks!
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Comment #7 posted by afterburner on July 17, 2003 at 06:32:29 PT:
Will Ohio Get Medical Cannabis Protection?
US OH: Web: Bill to Protect Ohio Patients Ready for Introduction 04 Jul 2003 
DrugSense Weekly 
http://www.mapinc.org/ccnews/v03/n1003/a10.html
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Comment #6 posted by freedom fighter on May 30, 2003 at 21:59:39 PT
Goneposthole, your homeless Cat
is one cool cat! :) I really can't would'nt want to eat the jail food, but it does illustrate how cool this cat is, because I know many would just simply rob and get drunk so they can be de-tox and get clean for couple of weeks. I love cats and they are "always" mysterious! I once had a 12 years old cat and he passed away right in front of me. My vet told me that the death of my cat is very odd because most cats will simply slink away from the owners to die off by their own.Goneposthole's homeless's cat pose a mystery! Why would he do that? Is it because that Johnny the mean cat who spits when it's speaking gibberish where the nature of this mother earth does not understand?meow!pazff
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on May 29, 2003 at 09:56:57 PT
Thanks 2Spooky
That is interesting. 
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on May 29, 2003 at 09:55:15 PT
Here's The WP Article By DeNeen L. Brown
Here's the article herbdoc215 posted if you want to comment on it! I think with all the news this articles was missed by many.http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16416.shtml
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Comment #3 posted by 2Spooky on May 29, 2003 at 07:33:34 PT
FoM...this is off-topic, but interesting contrast
I found this story while browsing the national news:http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/bw-wh/2003/may/28/052803026.htmlShocking that Bush will try and silence people running Head Start that want to lobby against his proposals (thus allegedly violating the Hatch Act), and yet encourage our Drug Czar to do just that, AND trying to ram legislation through congress authorizing government-sponsored propaganda.I wonder if the good people at the Head Start offices are aware of the ramifications of the proposed legislation???
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Comment #2 posted by goneposthole on May 29, 2003 at 06:16:01 PT
repeat offenders
A homeless cat who lives in my town has been known to walk into the sheriff's office with a small amount of cannabis and dangle it in front of the deputy on duty. He gets arrested, and spends 30 days in jail. Free room and board. He has repeatedly done this for years.Everybody is a 'criminal' nowadays.One day, it may be a crime for improper breathing.Don't forget to call each other 'citizen', or it could be the guillotineJohn Walters is worried that there will be more 'marijuana' imported into the US from Canada. He need not worry, plenty of it is coming through.He repeatedly offends everyone.
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Comment #1 posted by herbdoc215 on May 29, 2003 at 00:38:00 PT
Got Insanity?????
US: Canada moves to lower pot penaltiesFound: Wed May 28 19:47:44 2003 PDT
Source: MSNBC (US Web)
Copyright: 2002 MSNBC
Contact: letters msnbc.com
Website: http://msnbc.com/news/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/938
Source: Newsweek (US)
Copyright: 2002 Newsweek, Inc.
Contact: letters newsweek.com
Website: http://www.msnbc.com/news/NW-front_Front.asp
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/309
Webpage: http://msnbc.com/news/918928.asp?0sl=-44
Author: Deneen L. Brown, THE WASHINGTON POST
Newshawk: http://drugpolicycentral.com/bot/  Canada moves to lower pot penalties U.S. fears bill would increase drug trafficking across border A Toronto man smokes marijuana recreationally on Tuesday as the Canadian government moved to eliminate criminal penalties for simple possession of the drug. By DeNeen L. Brown THE WASHINGTON POST TORONTO, May 27 -- The Canadian government introduced legislation today to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, a move that U.S. officials said could increase the amount of marijuana smuggled across the border. Get Life Insurance expedia.com UNDER THE BILL, possession of up to 15 grams of marijuana, about half an ounce, would become punishable by fines of up to the equivalent of about $290 U.S. for adults and $182 for minors. Backed by Prime Minister Jean Chretien's ruling Liberal Party, the measure has a good chance of passing because of the party's strong majority in Parliament, political analysts said. Chretien is proceeding despite firm opposition from the Bush administration, which views the measure as encouraging drug use and creating an environment of permissiveness. "Some of the strongest and most dangerous marijuana on the U.S. market is coming from Canada," John P. Walters, director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, said in a telephone interview today. "That production has been rapidly expanding and is largely unchecked." Canadian officials estimate that $4 billion to $7 billion worth of Canadian marijuana is sold in the United States each year. The proposed law is also unpopular with some Canadian groups, including opposition parties and police organizations. Justice Minister Martin Cauchon, who introduced the bill in Parliament, said at a news conference in Ottawa, the capital, that most Canadians prefer that possession of small amounts of the drug become a "ticketing offense." "We are not legalizing marijuana. We have no plans to do so. We are changing the way we prosecute certain offenses," Cauchon said. "Cannabis consumption is first and foremost a health matter," he continued. "It should not result in criminal penalties. We have to ask ourselves as a society: Does it make sense that a person who makes a bad choice can receive the lasting burden of a criminal record? . . . The legislation I introduced today will make sure the punishment fits the crime." NATIONAL CAMPAIGN PLANNED Decriminalization, officials said, would be accompanied by a national campaign to alert Canadians to the dangers of drug use. The bill would also increase penalties for people who grow marijuana illegally. Small amounts may be grown legally by Canadians who need marijuana for medical reasons. As the United States moves toward tougher penalties for drug crimes, Canada appears to be mellowing toward small-time drug use, focusing instead on "harm reduction" strategies for users. 'Let me be very clear, we do not want Canadians to use marijuana.' -- ANNE MCLELLAN Canada's health minister In some Canadian cities, notably Vancouver, heroin users shoot up in broad daylight on street corners littered with needles, and some people openly smoke marijuana in pot cafes. Some provincial officials have proposed setting up supervised injection sites where heroin and cocaine users could receive clean needles and inject themselves. In 2001, Canada passed a law allowing people with serious illnesses to use marijuana for medical purposes with government approval. The Canadian Senate this year released a proposal to legalize marijuana and allow it to be grown by licensed dealers and sold in corner stores to anyone 16 or older. The proposal was widely criticized in the United States, and U.S. officials were taken aback when Chretien announced plans last month to move ahead with decriminalization. BORDER WORRIES Paul Cellucci, the U.S. ambassador to Canada, warned that the border between the two countries could be tightened as U.S. Customs officials intensified drug searches. That could harm trade. Cauchon traveled to Washington two weeks ago to meet with his U.S. counterpart, Attorney General John D. Ashcroft. When he returned, he was criticized for sharing ideas with U.S. officials before introducing the measure in Parliament. Officials would not discuss what happened at that meeting, but some said the bill introduced today was a watered-down version of what was discussed there. More world news In the interview today, Walters said he was happy that the bill did not include outright legalization. He also praised plans to launch an education campaign. But Walters said the United States remained concerned about the flow of drugs from Canada. "The indoor [marijuana growing operations] have exploded," he said. "They are now showing up in Manitoba, Ontario and in Quebec." Mike Murphy, a spokesman for Cauchon, said the legislation addressed the supply issue. "The legislation being proposed will take tough action against the [growing] operations, which are a concern not only to Canadians but to the U.S. as well," Murphy said. Canada's health minister, Anne McLellan, said her agency would implement a national program to educate Canadians on the harmfulness of drug use, using mass media campaigns targeted at teenagers. "Let me be very clear, we do not want Canadians to use marijuana," McLellan said. Some Canadian critics said officials were sending a contradictory message. "We should be sending a message to young people that drugs are dangerous," said David Griffin, executive officer of the Canadian Police Association, "but here we have members of Parliament suggesting they are no big deal." (c) 2003 The Washington Post Company 
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