cannabisnews.com: Senate Report on Cannabis: Get Whole Story Senate Report on Cannabis: Get Whole Story Posted by CN Staff on October 01, 2002 at 11:46:36 PT By Pierre-Claude Nolin Source: Halifax Herald The response to the report of the Senate special committee on illegal drugs has, in many ways, been just what we hoped for: informed discussion, debate and dialogue. Indeed, let's keep it up. However, as I participate in radio and TV shows, read letters to the editors, editorials and columnists, it has become clear that some of what the committee said in our report either was not heard or has been misunderstood. First, we do not endorse recreational drug use of any kind. We would prefer to see a drug-free society, just as we would love to see world peace; but we are realistic enough to know that we will not likely see it in our lifetime. The premise of our report is that in a free society such as ours, citizens should have the right to make their own informed decisions on their own behaviour, as long as it does not inordinately harm others. And we found that cannabis falls into that category. It is less harmful to individuals and to others than tobacco or alcohol, so let's treat it in a similar way. Certainly, we found no good reason for Canadians to have a criminal record for personal recreational use of marijuana. There has also been a lot of controversy around our report regarding a legal limit of age 16. The committee recommended an age limit for legal consumption at 16 as an absolute minimum age, based on the scientific findings that the human brain is developed enough by then not to be physically harmed. In other words, we recommend that the authorities not legalize cannabis for use below the age of 16. Appropriate authorities may well have good reason to determine that another age above 16 would be best. That is why we want the key federal and provincial players to initiate meetings with other health and community stakeholders to determine an acceptable age, among many other issues. A lot has been said about messages being sent. Before we send messages, we should have an intelligent debate about what the messages should be. One political leader even said he would prefer his children consume alcohol rather than smoke cannabis. Wrong message! Again, this report is not about comparing the merits of cannabis to other substances, but about whether otherwise law-abiding Canadians should be persecuted, prosecuted and penalized by the criminal justice system for consuming a substance proven to be relatively benign. We believe that education, treatment and prevention are the ways to deal with any problems that use of tobacco, alcohol or cannabis may cause, not prohibition and criminalization. So, if you are working to keep your kids from taking drugs, there is much in our report to help you. Just as disturbing have been the attacks dismissing our report from some of the organizations that represent the police community. Yet we considered their advice carefully. We simply don't completely agree with them. At the same time, our report addresses specific issues raised by the police, such as calling for a national drug policy, national adviser and effective research co-ordination, and recommending that the legal blood-alcohol level be reduced to .04 from .08 when in the presence of cannabis. Finally, there is the ridiculous notion that the conclusions of our report in some way promote or advance criminal activity or support terrorism. Currently, organized crime enjoys vast profits from the sale of illicit drugs. Legalization takes the production and distribution of cannabis products out of the hands of organized crime. Profits would go to shareholders, not terrorists or gang members. Perhaps most important of all, buyers would not be purchasing the product from someone who is also selling crack cocaine or heroin. If there is any "gateway effect" that can be attributed to cannabis, it's the fact that buyers, especially young people, are exposed to these dealers who stand to gain far more from pushing much more highly addictive substances on their customers than they do from selling cannabis. We think Canadians are quite capable of making a wise choice with respect to cannabis policy. It is quite clear that they are more than willing to debate the issue. I hope our report continues to provide the information and ideas to help Canada to a new policy of healing and dignity, rather than the degradation and despair created by our current prohibitionist policy. Senator Pierre-Claude Nolin chaired the Senate's special committee on illegal drugs. Its report, Cannabis: Our Position for a Canadian Public Policy, can be found at: http://www.parl.gc.ca/illegal-drugs.aspNewshawk: puff_tuffSource: Halifax Herald (CN NS)Author: Pierre-Claude NolinPublished: Tuesday, October 1, 2002Copyright: 2002 The Halifax Herald LimitedContact: letters herald.ns.caWebsite: http://www.herald.ns.ca/Related Articles & Web Site:Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmReport Provides Information for New Drug Policy http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14316.shtmlLegalize Marijuana, Senate Committee Sayshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13989.shtml The Special Senate Committee on Illegal Drugs http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13987.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #11 posted by leafhopper on October 02, 2002 at 14:08:06 PT Land of the Free My God, if only we had such level headed and intelligent senators in the US, the pestilence that the drug war brings would be recognized and america might finally earn the title of "Land of the Free" [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Nuevo Mexican on October 02, 2002 at 13:27:41 PT p4me: How about 'Potriotic'? It's Potriotic to grow herb, as they say in the U.K.! [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Sam Adams on October 01, 2002 at 13:58:19 PT Look here "First, we do not endorse recreational drug use of any kind. We would prefer to see a drug-free society, just as we would love to see world peace; but we are realistic enough to know that we will not likely see it in our lifetime."That looks like he's taking a direct shot at the US! In other words, hey uncle Sam, keep ALL your jihads on that side of the border, and BUTT OUT [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by p4me on October 01, 2002 at 13:24:23 PT Thanks Dan B. for saying so Comment3 said: Let us not forget, too, that those who cultivate their own--even under prohibition--are doing their part to keep money from sale of these substances out of the hands of criminals, and they should be rewarded, not punished, for their efforts.Let me say that personally, I regard the growing of marijuana as an act of patriotism. I think that you have the right and by not surrendering because the fascist want corrupt laws and blind obedience. I agree we need to change the laws and I think we need to change the law makers. To hold to freedoms in light of all the corruption and their multi-charges of penalties and two-trial guarantee, and penalties that completely defy the Constitution for being excessive. Any penalty is excessive. It should be legal except for the corruption. A person that grows cannabis is a patriot in my strongest of opinions. And that makes me an Extremist. They have twisted it around so acting above the Constitution is not Extremism, but standing up for your rights is. Growing marijuana is no crime in my eyes, but the laws that say it is, are treason. But then again, I am an Extremist.I think I must have hit the reset button on my last typing frenzy. I proofread it too. This self-improvement effort has overloaded me I guess.I have this thought about Scrooge and the Christmas Caroll adapted for Saturday Night Live come about Christmas. I was thinking that Cratchett and family would be depicted in their little home with the big turkey and a special dressing to help Tiny Tim with his chronic pains, as well as a better way of making Merry for Christmas. So Bob C. says at the end of his toast, "Mr. Scrooge says that if we sing, "Free Cannabis For Everyone" that it would end the misery of many. What do you say Tiny Tim?" - "Yes, DAD, For Everyone."FA LA! LA! LA! LA!, LA LA LA. I don't think I sing as well as FoM, but in a chorus, who would mind. I guess that makes us the only ones singing, FoM. Free Cannabis Everyone. Free us all- Everyone1,2 [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by st1r_dude on October 01, 2002 at 13:04:04 PT Dan B i agree completely - thanks for your perspective and positive comments.i hope mr. Nolin's research and resulting publications aren't in vain...st1d finally [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on October 01, 2002 at 13:00:29 PT p4me I didn't delete anything. I've been looking for news and just saw your post. I don't know what happened. Can you try again? [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Dan B on October 01, 2002 at 12:58:35 PT: stlr_dude I don't have a problem with that statement at all, especially since he goes on to admit the following:". . . love to see a drug-free society, just as we would love to see world peace; but we are realistic enough to know that we will not likely see it in our lifetime."In other words, he is saying to the prohibitionists, "Get real, already. A drug-free world is as plausible as world peace, which is to say that it is implausible. Grow up and deal with it, but don't make everyone else pay for your own stupidity."I'd say that's a good message, when placed in its full context. Also, I agree wholeheartedly with your comment #2.Dan B [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by p4me on October 01, 2002 at 12:57:38 PT FoM, did you see my comment about Tiny Tim I know I had tried to post a message about legalization mentioning Tiny Tim. Did I get deleted for that or can I rewrite it again? I cannot figure out what happeneed to it and wonder what happened? I don't see how that could have pushed the envelope off the desk. It wasn't even Extreme at all.1,2 [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Dan B on October 01, 2002 at 12:53:14 PT: Pierre Claude-Nolin Thank you for this clarification of the Canadian Senate Report. Every point you make is a good one. You are correct that it is wrong to dismiss the report outright simply because of the "minimum age 16" idea. Clearly, the intent of the report was to inform lawmakers and correct poor legislative decisions, not to create the laws without debate. If 18 works better, so be it. It makes sense to be consistent about use of substances, so make the age similar to other age requirements and penalties for use of other controlled substances, such as alcohol and tobacco. Further, the law should focus more on those who would sell to minors than on the minors who buy since presumably those over the age limit are better equipped to make decisions regarding the use of certain substances; otherwise, the age requirement would not exist.Second, it makes good sense to reiterate that criminal organizations make money from the sale of prohibited substances, when that money could go to, as you put it, "stockholders." Let us not forget, too, that those who cultivate their own--even under prohibition--are doing their part to keep money from sale of these substances out of the hands of criminals, and they should be rewarded, not punished, for their efforts.Overall, well said!Dan B [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by st1r_dude on October 01, 2002 at 12:46:45 PT otherwise, an excellent article otherwise, this is an excellent article...common sense and reasonable thinking...it's a beautiful thing indeed:"citizens should have the right to make their own informed decisions on their own behaviour, as long as it does not inordinately harm others. And we found that cannabis falls into that category."ahhhhh yes, intelligence at it finest... [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by st1r_dude on October 01, 2002 at 12:40:27 PT why ? "First, we do not endorse recreational drug use of any kind. We would prefer to see a drug-free society..."OK - this is where I say: what about alky-hol, to-bakky, caffeine drinks....are these NOT recreational drugs ?sheeeeshsome people (most) just DON'T GET IT, do they ?i'm surrounded by a majority of TOTAL morons. fortunately, i can come to C-news and be surrounded by enlightenment and common sense...thank goodness for C-news.st1d soon [ Post Comment ] Post Comment