cannabisnews.com: Canada: The Debate Over Decriminalization 





Canada: The Debate Over Decriminalization 
Posted by CN Staff on May 02, 2002 at 12:21:46 PT
By Lisa Khoo
Source: CBC 
Ever since marijuana was first banned in Canada under the 1923 Opium and Drug Act, dissenters have called the criminal penalties set for possession of the drug too harsh.Since May 1997 illicit drugs such as marijuana have been covered by the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, which a growing number of people in Canada want scrapped. In August 2000, Ontario's court of appeal ruled that banning marijuana for medicinal purposes violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
But the debate over recreational use rages on. The Canadian Medical Association estimates that 1.5 million Canadians smoke marijuana recreationally. Committees debate changes to law Two committees are now studying what – if any – changes should be made. The most recent committee was established by all-party agreement May 17, 2001 to rethink the factors "underlying or relating to the non-medical use of drugs in Canada." The debate on decriminalization is expected to be part of the committee's broader goal of looking into criminal activity in the drug trade. It has 18 months to report back. The government says it won't make any changes to the law before then.A long-standing special Senate Committee on Illegal Drugs held hearings on the issue as well, headed by Senator Pierre-Claude Nolin. It released a preliminary report in May 2002 saying that scientific evidence suggests marijuana use doesn't lead to the use of harder drugs. On May 19, 2001 Justice Minister Anne McLellan said she was "quite open" to a debate on both decriminalization and legalization. And federal health minister Allan Rock has also said it's time for "frank discussion" on whether the laws should be changed.Some people don't want any changes to the laws. Others are pushing for complete legalization. In between, there are people who favour decriminalization. They want to keep the rules but lower the penalties from criminal to a civil level, like getting a traffic ticket – no criminal record would be kept. That's currently the case in the Netherlands.An estimated 600,000 Canadians have criminal records for marijuana possession.  Liberalization: those in favour …The liberalization movement got its first big boost in 1973 in a report by a federal government commission looking into the non-medical use of drugs. The LeDain Commission called for an end to charges for marijuana possession and cultivation.In May 2001, Progressive Conservative party leader Joe Clark became the latest senior-level politician to take up the cause. He said young people caught with marijuana shouldn't have to carry the stigma of a criminal record for life. Both the NDP and Bloc Québécois favour decriminalization as well. Several other groups call the penalties, which could include a jail term of up to five years, too harsh. The Canadian Medical Association backed that position in a recent editorial pointing out that a criminal record effectively bars young people from getting jobs and opportunities, including getting into medical school. It called the health effects of moderate use "minimal."The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police has also advocated decriminalization, saying prosecuting people for small amounts ties up scarce resources. … and those againstBut other police groups and anti-drug associations vehemently disagree with that assessment.Among the most recent to speak out was the Canadian Police Association. During testimony to the Senate Special committee Executive Director David Griffin said most first-time offenders don't get criminal records. The association is concerned that decriminalization would also lead to increased use of hard drugs.A May 2000 survey done by COMPAS for the National Post newspaper found that 65 per cent of people said the concept of decriminalizing marijuana is an excellent, very good, or good idea. Twenty-two per cent responded negatively.A recent poll done by University of Lethbridge professor Reginald Bibby said support for legalization has risen to 47 per cent among Canadians.Complete Title: Canada's Marijuana Laws: The Debate Over Decriminalization Source: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (Canada Web)Author: Lisa KhooPublished: May 2, 2002Copyright: 2002 CBCWebsite: http://www.cbc.ca/Contact: cbcinput toronto.cbc.caRelated Article & Web Site:Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmShould We Treat Pot Like Tobacco? Senators Ask http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12696.shtmlCannabisNews - Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
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Comment #4 posted by CorvallisEric on May 02, 2002 at 20:46:17 PT
Re: Bennett's farce
It may seem like a farce, but it's based on the reality that most people simply don't understand the consequences of illegality. Kids and airhead magazine writers often talk about things that "ought to be against the law" as if it was a joke.  Bennett exploits this by emphasizing the "normative" function of criminal law as if prison didn't exist and prohibitions make people good by magic.
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Comment #3 posted by darwin on May 02, 2002 at 13:39:43 PT
Oh...my....God, what a farce.
 Listen to this qoute from Bennet."It also leads to the use of other drugs. Now, this is not some casual thing. It is regarded as casual and as a plaything by young people. At the same time, most young people -- another interesting piece of survey data -- say they would like stricter laws against drug use because they would like to be protected from, you know, the temptations that their friends offer. They are asking us to protect them. We need to do a better job. "
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Comment #2 posted by darwin on May 02, 2002 at 13:37:10 PT
CNN response?
CNN now has an interview with Bill Bennet.
Is this there attempt to counter the UK and Canadian news networks? Pure dribble about higher potency by a government mouthpiece. Please tell CNN that there are reporting falsehoods!http://www.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/05/02/bennett.cnna/index.html
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Comment #1 posted by darwin on May 02, 2002 at 12:49:55 PT
BBC is taking comments
The BBC article I referred to earlier is now taking posted comments from the public and boy is it refreshing.
Damn near every response was anti WOsD.http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/talking_point/newsid_1964000/1964059.stm
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