cannabisnews.com: Clark: Decriminalize Marijuana





Clark: Decriminalize Marijuana
Posted by FoM on May 23, 2001 at 09:34:22 PT
By Elizabeth Thompson, The Ottawa Citizen
Source: Ottawa Citizen
Federal Conservative Party leader Joe Clark called on the federal government yesterday to decriminalize marijuana, saying it's not fair for a young person to face a lifelong criminal record for possession of the drug. "Personally, I make a distinction between legalization and decriminalization," Mr. Clark told reporters. "What interests me is decriminalization because I don't want to have a young person carry forever the burden of a conviction for a criminal offence." 
A criminal record can block a young person from pursuing some careers, he said. But Mr. Clark was careful to point out that his position is a personal one not shared by everyone in his party. "That is my position. There are some of my MPs who don't share that position and we can discuss it during the meetings of the federal committee." Mr. Clark joins the growing chorus of voices calling for the decriminalization of marijuana. Last week, the House of Commons unanimously backed a motion to establish a special committee to study illegal drugs. A survey completed late last year also showed that about half of Liberal and Alliance party supporters back legalization compared with about three in 10 Conservative supporters. The Bloc Quebecois and the NDP favour legalization of marijuana in their party platforms. University of Lethbridge sociologist Reginald Bibby, who conducted the survey, said a growing number of Canadians view marijuana as less harmful than cigarettes and definitely less harmful than alcohol. About 37 per cent of teens use it, twice the level reported by teens in the early 1980s and '90s, said Mr. Bibby. Last week, The Canadian Medical Association Journal also urged decriminalization. "The decriminalization of marijuana possession for personal use does not mean making marijuana legal or letting it be sold in every schoolyard," said the journal. "It does mean possession of small amounts for personal use would become a civil offence, like a traffic violation, not a criminal one." The Citizen was recently lauded for its 16-part series "Losing the War on Drugs." Dan Gardner won the Edward M. Brecher Award from the U.S.-based Lindesmith Centre-Drug Policy Foundation for an investigation into the relationship between drugs and organized crime, overdose deaths, addiction, smuggling and civil liberties. Note: Tory leader denounces 'burden of conviction'; 'There are some of my MPs who don't share that position'With files from Joanne Laucious, The CitizenSource: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)Author: Elizabeth ThompsonPublished: May 23, 2001Copyright: 2001 The Ottawa CitizenContact: letters thecitizen.southam.ca Website: http://www.ottawacitizen.comRelated Articles & Web Site:TLC - DPFhttp://www.lindesmith.org/Support Grows for Legalizing Marijuanahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9834.shtmlMinister Quite Open To Marijuana Debate http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9790.shtmlThe Street Value of Canadian Journalismhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread7138.shtml
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Comment #2 posted by Dan B on May 23, 2001 at 10:36:54 PT:
Headed in the Right Direction
You are right, of course, J.R. Bob Dobbs. Decriminalization would not eliminate the problems associated with the drug war, aside from eliminating criminal records for possession of small quantities of cannabis. Compared with the destruction associated with the black market, having a criminal record should be a relativelyminor concern (not that it shouldn't be a concern at all, of course, but increased violence is, I think, a far more pressing problem).Expect an escalation of the legalization vs. decriminalization debate in Canada. That's what it will ultimately come down to; full criminalization is already out of the question. At least it isn't the tired old debate of harsh penalties vs. harsher penalties that we find in the United States.Dan B
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Comment #1 posted by J.R. Bob Dobbs on May 23, 2001 at 10:06:14 PT
Legalize
>>"Personally, I make a distinction between legalization and decriminalization," Mr. Clark told reporters. "What interests me is decriminalization because I don't want to have a young person carry forever the burden of a conviction for a criminal offence."  At least not for possession or for purchasing it. Selling it, however, would still remain on the black market - leaving the violent gangs, potential for impurity, and all the other flaws of the black market in place. Decriminalization is a start, but it is not a total solution.
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