cannabisnews.com: Canadian Pot Debate Worries U.S. Officials





Canadian Pot Debate Worries U.S. Officials
Posted by CN Staff on September 30, 2002 at 09:43:41 PT
By Lori Paionk, Times Herald
Source: Times Herald
Sarnia -- The store is stocked with a large selection of pipes and rolling papers, not to mention a few bikinis adorned with a distinctive leaf pattern. Themptations on Christina Street in downtown Sarnia caters to the marijuana enthusiast, and more than a few customers are from St. Clair County, shop manager LeeAnn Campbell said. 
Most Americans are too scared to buy anything and sneak it over the Blue Water Bridge into Port Huron, where it's against Port Huron city ordinances to possess drug paraphernalia, Campbell said. The store -- and, in turn, the U.S. border -- could see more business if an effort by Canadian legislators to legalize marijuana is successful. Campbell supports the effort. "I can see people going to jail for crack, but marijuana? I just don't see the harm in it," she said. If the measure is approved, she expects more U.S. customers. Most local police, border officials and residents expect more headaches. The effort According to the Toronto Globe and Mail, a Canadian Senate committee is calling on that's country's federal government to make marijuana legal for those 16 and older under a system that would make the drug as easy to buy as cigarettes and alcohol. It also is calling for an amnesty for anyone ever convicted of marijuana possession. The committee's recommendation came as part of a 600-page report that said pot is safer than alcohol. "Scientific evidence overwhelmingly indicates that cannabis is substantially less harmful than alcohol and should be treated not as a criminal issue but as a social and public-health issue," committee Chairman Sen. Pierre Claude Nolin said. "It is certainly less grave than alcohol and tobacco as far is health is concerned." Canada's justice and health ministers are reviewing the report, but no action has been taken. The response Backlash against the committee's findings was swift at every level in the United States. Easier accessibility of marijuana would mean more stoned drivers on the streets, Port Huron Police Chief William Corbett said. "It's going to be harder to catch them," Corbett said of drivers who use drugs instead of alcohol. Obvious signs of drunken driving -- slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and strong odor of alcohol -- may not be as noticeable in drivers who smoke marijuana, he said. "Probably (they) will get away with driving under the influence of drugs, which is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of liquor," he said. Paul Thelmas, 50, of Port Huron Township agrees people from St. Clair County will drive to Sarnia to smoke pot and return before the effects have run their course. "People will be driving and crashing," he said, shaking his head. Deputy Eric Stevens of the St. Clair County Sheriff Department said there already are plenty of 19- and 20-year-olds who drive to Sarnia to drink and end up driving drunk here. Canada's drinking age is 19. Stevens, a five-year veteran of the department, said he's probably arrested fewer than five people for driving under the influence of drugs because it's harder to detect. He also is an instructor for the standardized field sobriety test and offers special training for officers to detect drivers under the influence of intoxicants. "Some (types of marijuana) can be an upper or downer. It can be complicated when you're looking for signs," he said. For example, people who have been smoking pot can "straighten up a lot of quicker" than drunken drivers, he said. No breath test exists for marijuana. Other views Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley said he's not in favor of legalizing marijuana, he would support efforts to decriminalize its use. "Is it right to clog up the court system with people having a couple joints?" he said. "It gives them a record and impacts negatively on their employment opportunities." Lt. Tim Donnellon, director of the St. Clair County Drug Task Force, said while there are groups that support the legalization of marijuana in Michigan, he doubts it'll happen here any time soon. "I think we should channel our energies of legalizing it and put that toward more innovative enforcement," he said. Donnellon said if Michigan were to legalize marijuana, he'd be able to spend more time focusing on cocaine and crack dealers. He also said he doesn't expect legalization of marijuana across the border to impact St. Clair County much. "I think you'll see more people trying marijuana," he said. "(But) the border is so tight after (Sept. 11), I doubt that we'd see more (smuggling)," he said. Several states have tried to permit marijuana use by the seriously ill, but a 2001 U.S. Supreme Court ruling established there are no exceptions to federal laws banning pot use. Note: Police fear law enforcement may prove difficult.Source: Times Herald (MI)Author: Lori Paionk, Times HeraldPublished: Monday, September 30, 2002Copyright: 2002 The Times HeraldWebsite: http://www.thetimesherald.com/Contact: http://www.thetimesherald.com/customerservice/contactus.htmlRelated Articles:Liberal Laws Worry Drug Czarhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14126.shtmlCanada's Pot Policy Under Fire from U.S.http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14095.shtml Windsor Could Be Spot for Legal Pot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14020.shtmlLegalize Marijuana, Senate Committee Sayshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13989.shtml 
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Comment #17 posted by freddybigbee on October 01, 2002 at 12:34:59 PT:
What do you mean?
Obvious signs of drunken driving -- slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and strong odor of alcohol -- may not be as noticeable in drivers who smoke marijuana, he said. If they smoked marijuana and didn't drink alcohol, it wouldn't be all that surprising that they lacked a strong odor of alcohol.Are they implying that if someone both drinks alcohol and smokes cannabis the alcohol related symptoms are mitigated? And that's supposed to be a bad thing? I feel like I'm living on planet of the apes or something as regards the antis thinking processes.
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Comment #16 posted by FoM on September 30, 2002 at 21:39:52 PT
Sam 
Now that's good!DdC! You got the job if I had my say so!
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Comment #15 posted by Sam Adams on September 30, 2002 at 21:34:24 PT
And, of course...
part II of the FOM test will involve the same two subjects carrying the coffee the following morning....THAT should remove any lingering doubts. The cannabis person would spill a few drops...and the alcohol person would still be lying in bed!
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Comment #14 posted by DdC on September 30, 2002 at 19:17:09 PT
My Perfect Simple Test
Well FoM in the name of Truth, Justice and the American way I'll humbly volunteer to be the toker. ¶8)
It's the least I can do for my country. The danger I'm really concerned about with cannabis is not losing the buzz and the price going up. And avoiding schwagg, but getting my stash from one or two growers I minimize that. The cops have pulled me over for a license plate light violation that was surely the top priority of his night. And because I "looked like I was smoking a joint when I drove by. Pulled over with the public walking by stretching their necks like some big raid and then ran me through the gauntlet of co-ordination test, I find it hard to believe someone can't touch their nose and then argues about being pulled over. Then they "Pat you down for weapons" Since their smelling it doesn't hold up in the evidence envelope very long. I remembered to Say Just NO! As pseudo friendly as they can be about you admitting it and saying it'll be all right, Just Say NO! They shook my backpack but never openeed it and justifying dog searches may take more than they had. Just Say NO! Then say I don't know what you smell but all I smell on you is glaze and chocolate. Well you might reconsider that last remark. Isn't it weird that they can't tell if an employee or driver is stoned since they are obeying the traffic laws and doing good work, so they have to steal your urine and test it. Which won't indicate whether you just toked or toked 3 weeks ago before you quit. But what's ever been rational about the war on cannabis besides the true patriots wanting to end it...Peace, Love and Liberty or the Weirdo D.E.A.th!
DdC
Technically Everyone Should Be Busted for Manufacturing Hallucinogens!
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Comment #13 posted by DdC on September 30, 2002 at 16:53:19 PT
Did anyone hear?
That the latest Morgan Hill 3000+ acre wild fire in California was started by C.A.M.P.? The Federal cannabis suppression eradication program? The news said they were investigating the cause and suspected it was started by someone rather than a natural lightning strike. But won't mention who they suspect...hummPeace, Love and Liberty or D.E.A.th!
DdC
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on September 30, 2002 at 16:32:02 PT
SirReal 
What would be really nice to see on the Canadian side of the border is an internet cafe where smoking cannabis ( when it's allowed ) would be nice. I always thought a coffee, cannabis, internet cafe with cool decorations, music and lighting would be a fun place to go and no alcohol. Just an idea. If that's what they do in Amsterdam or Vancouver I don't know that. A place particularly where the younger 20 somethings can meet other people without lots of pressure but a relaxed atmosphere to get to know one another. 
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Comment #11 posted by CorvallisEric on September 30, 2002 at 16:17:44 PT
LEO deviates from script!
"Donnellon said if Michigan were to legalize marijuana, he'd be able to spend more time focusing on cocaine and crack dealers.He also said he doesn't expect legalization of marijuana across the border to impact St. Clair County much."----dangerous ideas cross the permeable border :)
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Comment #10 posted by SirReal on September 30, 2002 at 14:37:26 PT
...alright...
...I gotta cash in on this movement...there's gotta be a ton of cash to made legally on these winds of change here. I got a few thousand bucks tucked away,...anybody got some good ideas????Send me on a million dollar money makin scheme...please!!
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on September 30, 2002 at 13:13:02 PT
This is a Great Beginning! Way To Go Canada
http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread14304.shtml
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Comment #8 posted by idbsne1 on September 30, 2002 at 13:11:15 PT
Dateline did a report....
Comparing sleep deprivation to alcohol intoxication during driving. The results? Both are very dangerous. But are you going to stop people from staying awake?Just because cannabis is legal doesn't mean you're allowed to drive while intoxicated?!?!?!?These LEO's need to get a brain. Or have them at least take a class in logic and reasoning?idbsne1
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Comment #7 posted by canaman on September 30, 2002 at 11:28:51 PT
Driving while talking on a cell phone can be 
dangerous. And is illegal in some areas, but they don't throw you in jail for doing it. The effects of cannabis on driving are minimal especially on someone used to being high. I'm not saying drive high but don't arrest me because I have THC in my blood. http://www.ardpark.org/research/driversstudy.htm
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on September 30, 2002 at 11:08:42 PT
My Perfect Simple Test
Have some people drink a few beers and another group smoke a little Cannabis and have them carry a full coffee cup across a room and see which ones don't have trouble with spilling any coffee.
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Comment #5 posted by trainwreck on September 30, 2002 at 11:04:30 PT
Driving high 
can be dangerous! There isn't a good way for police to detect it.The education campaign started by MADD did more for me as a kid to deter drunk driving than any worries about the law.Education, not incarceration, is the proper response to the concerns raised in this article.
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Comment #4 posted by Had Enough on September 30, 2002 at 10:13:45 PT
Things that make you go Hmmmmm
For example, people who have been smoking pot can "straighten up a lot of quicker" than drunken drivers, he said.It seems that the only time the truth is slips out is when they try to spin it to look negative.Vote Vote VoteDo not forget our friends at http://www.nrle.org They need money, a lot of it and now. Send them anything. Every bit helps. We are standing on the cornerstone of change that will be heard around the world again, WE THE PEOPLE.
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Comment #3 posted by canaman on September 30, 2002 at 10:03:55 PT
Somebody educate these ignorant police
Do they think people aren't driving high now. If they can't tell if a person is driving badly what makes them think they will crash? Most drunk drivers are stopped for weaving and speeding. Since most drivers that are high drive normally and safely I guess the cops have a problem. Just wait till they crash into the border crossing coppers....better stock up on donuts 'cause you might have to wait a long...long time.
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Comment #2 posted by Ethan Russo MD on September 30, 2002 at 09:59:57 PT:
Really!
"Obvious signs of drunken driving -- slurred speech, bloodshot eyes and strong odor of alcohol -- may not be as noticeable in drivers who smoke marijuana, he said. "Probably (they) will get away with driving under the influence of drugs, which is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of liquor," he said."Is this not mutually contradictory? Sure it's hard to define cannabis use, because there is so little to actually see. Anyone commenting on the dangers of cannabis and driving would be well advised to read the pertinent chapter in the Canadian Senate Report, available online:http://www.parl.gc.ca/Common/Committee_SenRecentReps.asp?Language=E&Parl=37&Ses=1The risks of cannabis on driving are much less than previously reported. Their recommendation was to lower the permissible blood alcohol when people mixed the drugs.We will see a lot more of these scare stories about "What if Canada does the unthinkable and legalizes cannabis."The world will still turn, believe me.
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on September 30, 2002 at 09:44:45 PT
Pictures From Above Article
http://www.thetimesherald.com/news/stories/20020930/topstories/189435-photos.html
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