cannabisnews.com: Senator Launches Drive to Make Marijuana Legal! Senator Launches Drive to Make Marijuana Legal! Posted by FoM on June 17, 1999 at 06:16:02 PT Nolin admits being a former 'recreational' user! Source: Ottawa Citizen A Conservative senator who admits he once used marijuana as a form of recreation launched a campaign yesterday to legalize the drug. Conservative Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, repeating his view that marijuana and possibly other drugs should be made legal, said the subject should be aired thoroughly in Senate hearings. Mr. Nolin, who has asked the Senate to establish a special committee to study the issue, said he is not trying to push his own views on the public. "Before going into the options, we need to look at drugs and the basic scientific facts," Mr. Nolin told a news conference. Mr. Nolin, a senator since 1993, when former prime minister Brian Mulroney named him to the upper chamber, was asked if he uses marijuana for "recreational" purposes. "If you use the past tense, I would say yes," Mr. Nolin replied. "Not any more." While the senator insisted it is his personal view that marijuana should be legalized, it was clear, from a study he released and from the comments of an expert who accompanied him, that Mr. Nolin wants other senators as well as MPs to reach the same conclusion. "We do have a war on drugs; it's failing," said Eugene Oscapella, an expert on legislative and public policy issues who has also lobbied for legalizing marijuana. "Surely we can't expect that ... what has not worked in the past will work in the future," said Mr. Oscapella. Mr. Nolin released a study he commissioned by University of Toronto drug expert Diane Riley, a founding member of the Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy who consults widely on the use and effect of drugs in society. The 63-page report suggests the harmful social effects generated by the criminalization of drugs, such as crime, violence and the underground drug trade, are greater than the negative aspects of personal drug use. "The indirect harms and costs of illicit drugs by far outweigh direct harms and are disproportionate to their level of use and are the result of drug policy and legislation, not the drugs per se," the report said. The report recommended legalization along with other major policy changes such as more education, health services and regulation of legalized drugs. The document also cited a host of studies and experiences in other countries to claim the negative consequences of drug use are overblown. It said the continued persecution of drug users, primarily for possession of marijuana, is overloading the court and prison systems. While politicians have been reluctant to tackle the issue, courts are already recognizing a sea change in society's attitudes by lowering penalties for simple marijuana possession, the report said. It claimed Switzerland, where heroin is legally dispensed to addicts, and Holland, where marijuana is legal in restricted areas, have succeeded in reducing the harmful effects of illegal drug use. Mr. Nolin's campaign drew an immediate negative response from a Reform MP who is also campaigning for a new drug policy in Canada. B.C. MP Randy White, Reform's House leader in the Commons, said legalization will lead to wider drug use. "It's the start of the slope," Mr. White said in an interview. "Those who believe that legalization of one drug will solve any problems are fools. "We have to recognize that drugs are drugs and if you talk to any addict, they will tell you that legalization is not the answer." Mr. White said federal, provincial and municipal governments must act jointly and address drug addiction as a health problem, while continuing to fight criminal involvement in drug trafficking. Mr. Nolin, however, noted that even the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police recently called for the legalization of marijuana, a position he said was supported by the RCMP. A recent RCMP report said drug trafficking remains the principal source of revenue for most organized crime groups and estimated the drug trade in Canada can generate criminal proceeds up to $4 billion yearly at the wholesale level and $18 billion at the street level. Mr. Nolin said if a majority in the Senate supports his request for a special committee, the hearings could begin by December. END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #7 posted by AGGIE on September 03, 2001 at 15:39:23 PT GOVERMENT legalizes oxycontin, yet Pot is illegal? What is wrong with this picture? How many people have died from this LEGAL drug.I personally dont know of anyone whohas OD'd on pot. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Vincent on July 30, 2001 at 23:23:36 PT: Capitalism at its finest It's all about the buck!! Those who are in power right now, are controlled by major tobacco, alcohol, cotton, lumber and private penetentiary industries. Unlike other processed drugs or "pharmaceuticals", marijuana is almost always all natural (except hydroponics). Why would they want to legalize the hemp and cannabis? We would be able to plant our own resources for paper, fiber, rope, oil, pain medication and all the other countless benefits of the plant. Why would the forefathers of America say that sowing the seed would ensure the stability of the country?Isn't it ironic that parts of the constitution are written on hemp paper? PEACE [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by TED on March 09, 2001 at 12:14:05 PT marijuana ask any doctor, and they will agree, alchohol is the only drug that is harmful to every human tissue. of course, because the same people who run Universal studios and all the movies and television programs they produce, own seagram, (owner of captain morgan and distributor of absolut vodka) this fact will contiue to elude society in general. Why the govt maintains the illegal status of marijuana and allows rum to be poured down our throats by shot girls in bars across the country......the dollar bill...period. People have no idea how much money is involved. Making drugs legal wouldn't be as profitable. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Gene Janda on January 23, 2001 at 14:41:42 PT: legalizing marijuana Yes I think marijuana should be legalized for medical reasons. But the bad asspect that would come out of that is it would be easier for drug dealers and people who abouse it easier to purchase. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Joeslawncare on October 08, 2000 at 08:29:31 PT: What countries is marijuana legal in now? If anybody knows a country or countries where marijuana has already been legalized please let me know. I am doing a speech in my Effective Speaking Class in coolege on the legalization of marijuana and would like to know some countries that is already legal in. Thanks, joeslawncare cs.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Melanie on August 27, 2000 at 17:02:09 PT: reply Legalization of marijuana would help clear our prisons of users, and dealers, makeing room for people who commit more serious crimes. It has the same effects of alchohol, to the same degree of harm on the body and it would help our courts with the continous problems they have with possesors. Quit wasting time on such a stupid subject and get over it. People are going to do what they want to do, reguardless of the law. Has it helped before? NO!!!!!!!! Think about it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Melanie on August 27, 2000 at 17:00:57 PT: reply Legalization of marijuana would help clear our prisons of users, and dealers, makeing room for people who commit more serious crimes. It has the same effects of alchohol, to the same degree of harm on the body and it would help our courts with the continous problems they have with possesors. Wuit wasting tim eon such a stupid subject and get over it. People are going to do what they want to do, reguardless of the law. Has it helped before? NO!!!!!!!! So chill............. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: