cannabisnews.com: US Drug Envoy Coming To Co-ordinate Pot Crackdown





US Drug Envoy Coming To Co-ordinate Pot Crackdown
Posted by CN Staff on July 07, 2003 at 21:44:42 PT
By Alexander Panetta
Source: Canadian Press 
Ottawa -- A top U.S. envoy will consult with several Canadian government departments as he helps co-ordinate a cross-border drug crackdown to follow Canada's controversial new marijuana law.U.S. deputy drug czar Barry Crane arrives in Ottawa on Tuesday, when he will reiterate American fears that more people might try carrying their stash across the border once Canada's pot-decriminalization bill passes.
He will ask federal officials how they plan to stave off such an increase, then take his findings to the White House."Our concern is not so much the legislation as its impact," said Jennifer De Vallance, a spokeswoman for the White House drug policy office."Our real issue is the impact on drug trafficking into the United States."That's where we're concerned and we'll continue to work with the Canadian government to make sure the United States is not adversely affected."Crane will meet with officials from the Justice and Foreign Affairs departments, Health Canada, the RCMP, the Solicitor-General's office, and the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse.In May, Justice Minister Martin Cauchon introduced legislation that would make possession of up to 15 grams of pot a minor offence.People nabbed with small amounts would no longer face criminal charges if the bill becomes law, and would instead be subject to fines ranging between $100 and $400.Meanwhile, the government would crack down on big-time trafficking by doubling the maximum prison term for growers - to 14 years from the current seven - and spending $245 million over five years to beef up law enforcement and drug prevention.The new law has been a source of concern and consternation south of the border, even though a handful of U.S. states already have similar laws.The administration worries that Americans would be more likely to take drugs back home after crossing the border, or that more Canadians would try sneaking a few grams past customs.American officials have also expressed concern that additional drug checks will slow border traffic and hamper cross-border trade.Before introducing the legislation, Cauchon went to Washington to assure U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft that Canada would continue co-operating in police efforts against the drug trade.De Vallance said U.S. officials are "encouraged" that Ottawa has tempered its lighter view of simple possession with a toughened approach to trafficking.One reason so much pot gets moved across the border is the growing reputation of Canadian marijuana - particularly the B.C. variety.More than three-quarters of that province's potent bud gets shipped to the United States, said one official at the U.S. embassy in Ottawa.Even some Liberal MPs have announced their opposition to the legislation, leading some to speculate it could die on the order paper when Prime Minister Jean Chretien retires months from now.However, decriminalization has the support of all three leadership candidates in the race to succeed Chretien. Complete Title: U.S. Drug Envoy Coming To Co-ordinate Pot Crackdown Following Federal LawSource: Canadian Press Author: Alexander PanettaPublished: Tuesday, July 8, 2003 Copyright: 2003 The Canadian PressRelated Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmA Border War Over Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16572.shtmlCanadian Pot Legislation Could Snarl Border http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16334.shtml
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Comment #6 posted by Virgil on July 08, 2003 at 20:16:28 PT
Prohibitionist logic
Live long and prosper is our motto. One of the keys to a long life is the ability to adjusts to loss. We will give people the most harmful path in a war on pleasing substances and devices for coping with life as well as adjusting to a death. They will learn to deal with loss over and over and they will live long. Well that is the live long part. The prosper part is outright lie and not prohibitionist logic.Cannabis Prohibition is as wasteful as it is wrong. Cannabis Prohibition is going in the wrong direction and using both lanes.Cannabis Prohibition is view with a clue.Cannabis Prohibition is harmful to dogs. Okay, wrong path. Cannabis Prohition is harmful to all living things under the sun. It really is. 
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on July 08, 2003 at 19:48:07 PT
AlvinCool
I really hope you are wrong and what freedom fighter says is true. I'll keep my fingers crossed! It isn't over yet! In the end the laws will be changed because they should be. Hopefully sooner rather then later.
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Comment #4 posted by freedom fighter on July 08, 2003 at 19:40:55 PT
AlvinCool, on the othe hand
Maybe Canadians are famous for making new laws that nobody will ever follow-up with.Imagine a Canada Judge, peering over his bifocal lens, clearing his throat, " What's the Charge?"A clerk clearly very scared knowing full well that this is the not case the Judge wants.., " The offense is for carrying a bag in his pocket.""Dismissed!", was the only curt reply from the frowning Judge..I have higher regard for the Justice down in Canada than in U.S..We shall see..pazff
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Comment #3 posted by i420 on July 08, 2003 at 06:09:21 PT
Real Americans thank Canada
U.S. deputy drug czar Barry Crane arrives in Ottawa on Tuesday, when he will reiterate AMERICAN FEARS that more people might try carrying their stash across the border once Canada's pot-decriminalization bill passes. Ya right every American i know is grateful for Canada's new approach what REAL AMERICANS FEAR is our OWN governments idiotic approach to this issue.REGULATERS MOUNT UP......
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Comment #2 posted by AlvinCool on July 08, 2003 at 04:29:25 PT
When it's too late
FoM they will enact this stupid law basically putting prohibition back in place. They will do it thinking that this will both satisfy the users and people that want grow ops shut down. Ultimatly this, as we know, will backfire and fill their prisions to capacity before they realize the evil they have done.The only real question is what will they do then? Build more prisons to try to keep up with the US or correct their mistake.
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on July 07, 2003 at 21:49:52 PT
How Much Will This Cost?
When will they see? When will they understand?
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