cannabisnews.com: Canadian Pot Growers Get Slap on Wrist





Canadian Pot Growers Get Slap on Wrist
Posted by FoM on February 20, 2001 at 17:51:35 PT
By Lisa Schlein
Source: Calgary Herald
A United Nations agency has criticized Canada for its lax attitude toward illegal growers of cannabis and failure to control illicit production of drugs such as "ice" and "ecstasy." In its annual report released Tuesday night, the UN's International Narcotics Control Board says Canadian courts have been handing down sentences to cannabis growers and couriers that essentially amounted to just a slap on the wrist. 
Canadian law enforcement agencies make a lot of effort to eradicate cannabis, Herbert Schaepe, the board's secretary, said in an interview. But people who illegally grow cannabis "get very, very low sentences and we wonder whether that policy is a sufficient deterrent to get people not to cultivate cannabis," he said. The report singles out cannabis, the plant from which marijuana is derived, as "the most common drug of abuse" in Canada, Mexico and the United States. A major concern to law enforcement agencies in these countries is the spread of hydroponically grown cannabis with a high content of THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol. While the United States has had successes in dealing with illicit cannabis, the UN report notes that Canada's efforts had yielded only limited results. In addition to being smuggled into the country on a large scale, cannabis is also cultivated within Canada with annual production at about 800 tonnes - 60 per cent of which may be smuggled into the United States, the report says. British Columbia, Manitoba and Quebec are among the places where cannabis with a high THC content is grown indoors in Canada. In British Columbia, the report says, illicit indoor growing of cannabis has become "a widespread, lucrative undertaking." Schaepe said B.C.'s attitude toward cannabis is "much more liberal" than elsewhere in the country. The cannabis situation in the province "has become a problem also in the United States, because there is trafficking of cannabis from western parts of Canada to the United States," he said. Next to cannabis, the report finds a disturbing increase in the production and abuse of synthetic drugs in Canada. The illicit manufacture of methamphetamine - or ice - has increased, it says. In the past year, law enforcement agencies have uncovered a record number of clandestine laboratories. Some labs producing MDMA - or ecstasy - were found in middle-class suburban neighbourhoods, especially in central Canada. "The laboratories were run by people with no criminal records or connections," says the report. "The board is not happy with the controls established in Canada," Schaepe said. "The Canadian government is not yet controlling, for example, one of the main precursors of methamphetamine - ice." "We are very concerned that big quantities of these precursors are being exported into Canada and the Canadian government doesn't know where it is going." Precursors are substances used in the processing or manufacture of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances. Schaepe said the board doubts that all the precursors exported to Canada are for legitimate medical purposes. "There are no reasons for such big increases and we think that part of it might go to clandestine laboratories primarily in the United States," he said. The board is calling on Canada to make greater efforts to comply with its obligations, under the 1988 UN convention against illicit drugs, to prevent "Canadian territory from being used to divert chemicals for the illicit manufacture of drugs in other countries." Earlier this month, police said an eight-month investigation culminated in seven arrests and the seizure of cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy, handguns and more than $100,000 in Canadian and U.S. money during searches of homes in Toronto, Mississauga, Ont., Bolton, Ont., and Laval, Que. The UN report says there has been an increase in the amount of cocaine and heroin smuggled into Canada from countries such as Mexico. Last year, Canadian law enforcement agencies intercepted 156 kilograms of heroin. The Internet, says the report, is increasingly being used to spread information on ways to make illicit drugs. Complete Title: Canadian Pot Growers Get Slap on Wrist, Illicit Labs Sprout in Suburbs: UN Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)Author: By Lisa SchleinPublished: February 20, 2001Fax: (403) 235-7379Copyright: 2001 Calgary HeraldAddress: P.O. Box 2400, Stn. M Calgary, Alberta T2P 0W8Contact: letters theherald.southam.caForum: http://forums.canada.com/~calgaryWeb Site: http://www.calgaryherald.com/CannabisNews Articles - Canadahttp://cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=canada
END SNIP -->
Snipped
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #12 posted by smokdup on February 22, 2001 at 09:27:16 PT:
Are they stupid?
Ok....why the hell do people care whether or not people smoke tha greatest herb known to man? Half of the politicians in the US government, and law enforcement, are tokin up right now, and probably doing worse. I just read an article about how 3,000 POUNDS of marijuana was stolen from a law enforcements holding room or whateva. I'm telling you that the whole US government is curropt. How many people have died or been hurt by marijuana? Uhhh...let's check the stats...let's go with about -100,000, NEGATIVE! because it has helped so many people with illnesses. It eases nausea, helps people with their eyesight, enforces appetite(for AIDS patients), and does many other things to help the human body. It is better than cigarettes, and definitly better than alcohol. Think about it, cigarettes make the bronchial tubes contract(making less airflow), cigs are addictive, and they cause emphazyma(spelling?). Marijuana makes the bronchial tubs expand, allowing MORE airflow, it is not addictive, and has only positive side effects, including a great ass high. I have a friend who is 55, and grew up in chicago. He started smoking marijuana at 12, and he still smokes today. He is a marathon runner, and has won MANY medals. I really think this whole war on marijuana boils down to one thing. Our problems with mexico, Cuba, and other South American countries. That's no reason to prevent the world from getting high just because we know that people are going to have a good time. The first thing I'm going to do when they make marijuana legal, is to roll up a couple ounces and smoke down wit all tha nations of tha world.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #11 posted by Josh Bubar on February 22, 2001 at 07:11:43 PT:
f*** off you UN shi*heads
those Un a**holes are f***ing up canadian life we have the pot, we smoke the pot, we sell the pot, and there aint a f***ing thing that they can do about it so please F*** off.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #10 posted by Narcoleptic on February 21, 2001 at 15:37:55 PT
This is a waste of UN money and everyone's time
Ha! - while I'm definitely not going to get into an argument about the War of 1812, I think you're 100% right about the identity of this supposed "UN agency". The "UN" here is really just the US acting by proxy. They're afraid of a diplomatic incident if they tell Canada this face-to-face, but are happy to have Kofi Annan do their dirtywork for them. . . If there's any good side to this it's that the US government doesn't have the guts to go public with their complaints - which is a sign their very real fear of criticism from the rest of the world and within the US itself. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #9 posted by hempcanadian on February 21, 2001 at 09:08:38 PT:
UN=USA
Why does'nt the USA talk to Canadians face to face!?Perhaps they are too embarassed we kicked their asses in 1812!Well we'll do it again if they don't smarten up!I'll load my bong with High Test THC buds 10,000 times stronger than the 60's and blow smoke at them!Watch'em all keel over!Hey don't mess with us Canuks!!hahahaha!!!Man am I stoned!
The Hemp Canadian
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #8 posted by Kevin Hebert on February 21, 2001 at 08:35:01 PT:
Canada is a Sovereign Country
Canada is its own country. They should take this opportunity to stand up for themselves. There is no reason for the UN to get involved with cannabis. None whatsoever.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #7 posted by observer on February 21, 2001 at 07:50:29 PT
US UN
Dan writes:Any time you read that the UN says such and such, or the UN wants so and so, you must understand that the "UN" is essentially the United States government. Yes, that puts statements like the following in perspective:``While the United States has had successes in dealing with illicit cannabis, the UN report notes that Canada's efforts had yielded only limited results.''Self-serving schlock.see:U.S. Bullies World Into Waging Futile Drug War (Jan 7 2001)http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread8231.shtmlalsoIntroduction to the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugshttp://www.ukcia.org/newsite/denunciation/convention.html`` if you smoke cannabis the Convention says you should be sent to prison or compelled to undergo re-education... any use of drugs prohibited by the Convention becomes abuse by definition''
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #6 posted by kaptinemo on February 21, 2001 at 06:29:40 PT:
"Another important announcement...."
Years ago, while I was still in uniform, many US soldiers generally had a very low opinion of the UN. (I suggest that anyone wondering why should look at the dubious 'effectiveness' of UN 'peacekeeping' efforts worldwide, and then ask if we should even have the Headquarters of this clusterf*** on American soil at all.) Sometimes, after eating the infamous "beanie-wienies" field rations, one would be afflicted with gas, with the inevitable and hilarious results. One troop I knew used to let 'em rip and then say in a false radio announcer's voice, "You've just heard another important announcement from the United Nations, stay tuned for further developments..."My opinion of the UN has, if anything, dropped precipitously over the last few years, and this latest 'important announcement' only serves to cause it to go into final free-fall. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by Dan B on February 20, 2001 at 23:25:53 PT:
UN equals US
Any time you read that the UN says such and such, or the UN wants so and so, you must understand that the "UN" is essentially the United States government. The reason why the U.N. wants Canada to crack down on cannabis is that the U.S. government wants Canada to crack down on cannabis. Same with the meth labs and production of ecstacy. For a good introduction to how U.S. policies affect Canadian cannabis users and growers, check out the link at the bottom of this post. It's a POT-TV show.Dan B
U.S. War on Cannabis Growers
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by FoM on February 20, 2001 at 21:50:52 PT
Thanks Dankhank and everyone
DankHank that was good. Just like Jack Herer said in the Emperor of Hemp. He didn't like anti war protestors back during Vietnam but when he finally smoked he started to listen to what the protestors were saying and he did an about face in his thinking. They are afraid of unity and afraid of people becoming too wise for their own good by their standards.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by Dankhank on February 20, 2001 at 21:15:23 PT:
Boo F*ckin' Hoo
If I get near any of those UN pukes I will consider slapping THEM. But it won't be on the wrist ...Where is the UN outrage on Slavery in North Africa????????How about female circumcision??????????I could go on and on, but why bother?The REAL danger of Marijuana is rarely talked about ...When buzzin' it is common to rap, (talk), about any and everything. It doesn't take long for hempsters to realize that the government is inherently evil, stupid and too powerful. So anyone who smokes regularly will eventually become the enemy of the state in word as well as deed. Nothing the government can do will erase the freedom that comes with the most beauteous of highs ... the cannabis high. Listen up!!! UN!!!We see you for what you are, you can't hide.If alcohol disappeared tomorrow and everyone had to smoke pot most war would cease. Why do you want to kill a man because he is a different color or nationality? Our fight was never with the Russian people, it was always with the leadership. All people worldwide want peace. The leadership is always the reason for war.Here's an idea ...What if we passed a law that said that any politician who voted for war must send a son or daughter to that war? Recon that we'd get into fewer wars? I know so.  Watch out Pols, we may try to do that.
HEMP n STUFF
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by The GCW on February 20, 2001 at 20:49:21 PT:
The U. N. 
The U. N. getting envolved is a realy dumb sign!!!!&!Like Vultures. Like those you want to avoid in 1 Timothy 4:1-5. We've been warned about the U. N. Do they wish to envolve themselves and their reputaiton on putting humans in cages for consuming cannabis?If they dabble in prohibition, is there more mammon for mommy. HmmmmmThis war on cannabis must stop. Every body. Attention!
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by military officer guy on February 20, 2001 at 20:04:13 PT
we want the drugs..!!!!!!!
when are the dumb asses going to get it, that the people in the US want cannabis...canada is a country that actually has a clue, they realize that there are bigger issues than busting dope smokers and growers...it seems like the rest of the world, with minor exceptions, simply don't get it...the war on drugs kills more than the drugs themselves, and cannabis kills no one, and is a total waste of taxpayer's money to try to stop us from enjoying it...it's really not that hard of a concept to grasp...we can win this war...
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment


Name: Optional Password: 
E-Mail: 
Subject: 
Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message]
Link URL: 
Link Title: