cannabisnews.com: Cauchon Vows Action on Drug-Impaired Driving Cauchon Vows Action on Drug-Impaired Driving Posted by CN Staff on May 28, 2003 at 17:08:42 PT By The Canadian Press Source: Canadian Press Ottawa — Justice Minister Martin Cauchon, facing criticism over his plan to lighten legal penalties for marijuana possession, conceded today that drug-impaired driving laws will also need an overhaul in light of the new regime."We will come up with reform on that side as soon as we can," Cauchon told the House of Commons. "We want to make sure that we will be able to develop a test that will be accepted by the courts." Cauchon was reluctant, however, to explain exactly what kind of moves he has in mind.Nor would he guarantee that stronger impaired-driving provisions will be enshrined in the Criminal Code by the end of this year — the self-imposed deadline he has set for decriminalizing possession of small amounts of pot."I don't want to commit myself to a time frame," Cauchon said outside the Commons. "We need fine-tuning, we need to work more with police organizations."The minister hopes to lay an action plan before his provincial colleagues at a meeting in September. But he wouldn't say how long it might take beyond then to actually implement the changes.Under legislation tabled Tuesday in Parliament, possession of up to 15 grams of marijuana would become a minor offence, with no jail terms or criminal records for violators.Instead they would be issued tickets and ordered to pay fines of between $100 and $250 for youths and between $150 and $400 for adults.Many opposition MPs — and some Liberal backbenchers — worry about a possible increase in marijuana-impaired driving as a result of the reforms.The Canadian Police Association, representing rank-and-file officers across the country, has also expressed concern, as has the lobby group Mothers Against Drunk Driving.Drug-impaired driving is already an offence under the same Criminal Code sections that cover driving under the influence of alcohol.But there is no quick and easy roadside test for marijuana consumption that equals the breathalyzer used to detect alcohol.Ontario provincial police are experimenting with a so-called potalyzer that involves taking a swab from the mouth of a driver. Others have suggested taking suspects to hospital for blood tests.The RCMP has been trying out an approach that combines urine samples with observation of physical symptoms — traditional things like glassy eyes, altered speech patterns or inability to walk a straight line.Cauchon would not speculate on which approach he will ultimately settle on."It's pretty complicated," he said. "What I'm planning is to be able to make a presentation to my colleagues at the next federal, provincial and territorial meeting."Source: Canadian Press Published: Wednesday, May 28, 2003 Copyright: 2003 The Canadian PressRelated Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmPot Bill Will Allow for Driver Testing: Cauchon http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16424.shtmlToo Many One Toke Over Line, Police Sayhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15346.shtmlSmoking Motorist Not Guilty of Impaired Drivinghttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15146.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #13 posted by phil_debowl on May 29, 2003 at 10:28:01 PT kaptinemo That's what i think too. I've never been much of a conspirachy theorist, but the past 2 years have kinda started changing the way i think :).peace, phil [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by kaptinemo on May 29, 2003 at 08:22:11 PT: "phil_debowl"...I like it! Wish I had thought of it.As to your concerns, there may be method to this madness, but I don't believe it is, save for the 'kicking up dust' of hopeless antis like MP White, entirely malign.Ever been in a situation where you knew you had to 'do the right thing', but the boss wouldn't let you? He was off in his own little megalomaniacal world, thinking he's the center of rotation for the whole planet. Anything that he doesn't approve must therefore be anathema. But a problem exists which could hurt plenty of people because it's already been demonstrated that it HAS.What to do? Make the solution look like either an accident or someone else's fault; someone who can't be punished.Like a Supreme Court.The analogy is obvious: Uncle is the crazed 'boss' and the Canucks are trying to make the solution to their Uncle sired (and what a ugly b*****d it is) problem seem that it's either an act of God, someone's simple goof up...or hand it to a body that is sick and tired of playing stupid games. A body that, like our own Supreme Court, is the ex cathedra of law.The Canucks are far wilier than many give them credit for being. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by phil_debowl on May 28, 2003 at 21:31:15 PT I know i'm paranoid I know i'm paranoid, but with all the unexpected stipulations and stuff, it almost seems as Canada's being set up to show that any legalization of pot will make things worse. Everything i've read about the new law makes it seem like it's almost trying to make itself look bad. It seems like they're going to end up w/a bigger black market, more gangs controlling it, etc...I would think they woulda thought about all of that. I don't know, like i said, i may just be paranoid.peace phil [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by afterburner on May 28, 2003 at 20:39:26 PT: Kegan, Doobinie, any Canadians Have you noticed any recent shortage of herb or any dealer busts coinciding with the tabling of the re-crim bill yesterday?Since we have no cannabis possession law in Ontario or in Canada by extension, if you get arrested, sue for false arrest. Windsor Leads Way On Legal Pot http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/16/thread16353.shtml [see comments re: suing the police for false arrest]Takin' it to the streets. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by 312 on May 28, 2003 at 19:59:11 PT Testing "But there is no quick and easy roadside test for marijuana consumption that equals the breathalyzer used to detect alcohol."My (new) German girlfriend claimed that in Germany the police test drivers by checking their pupil's reaction time, or something (by shining a light in their eye, I presume).Anybody else know anything about this? I don't even know if it is true. At the time I didn't believe her, but she was adamant. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by afterburner on May 28, 2003 at 19:53:17 PT: Ta, FoM I misspelled two other words, too, but oh, well, "To err is human, to forgive, divine." There's been so much news since yesterday, and as Steve Tuck says, "still so much to say" that I haven't been spell-checking everything.mercigraciasdankeschönda svidania [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on May 28, 2003 at 19:11:22 PT afterburner I fixed it and it wasn't a problem at all. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by afterburner on May 28, 2003 at 18:59:49 PT: D'oh - FoM I misspelled Canadian in the title of comment #5. Any way to fix it? I can resend if not. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by afterburner on May 28, 2003 at 18:46:49 PT: The Canadian Supreme Court "Rules" The anti's are right to oppose this (de)re-crim bill, but not for the right reasons. Except for removing some caging for possession of small amounts of cannabis, under 15 grams, the bill attacks the BC economy, increases financial co-ercion of possessors through fines and interdiction-related increased black market prices, increases the black market of organized crime, increases cage-time for cultivation and trafficking, and does not recognize "medical necessity." The only value of this re-crim bill is to scare Uncle John and his band of pirates, and to heat up public debate about cannabis culture and medical cannabis on both sides of the Medicine Line. Many superstitions, half-truths, lies, obfuscations, and erroneous assumptions are fervantly believed by some members of Canadian society, but at least we have the freedom to discuss it. God bless America: may it truly be as free. If this fatally flawed bill somehow limps into law, it will be struck down by the Canadian Supreme Court for violating the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.Takin' It To The Streets http://www.doobfan.com/lyrics/lyrics3.htm#b Words and Music by Michael McDonald You don't know me but I'm your brother. I was raised here in this living hell. You don't know my kind in your world. Fairly soon the time will tell. You, telling me the things you're gonna do for me. I ain't blind and I don't like what I think I see. Takin' it to the streets, takin' it to the streets, no more need for runnin', takin' it to the streets. Take this message to my brother. You will find him everywhere. Wherever people live together, tied in poverty's despair. Oh, you, telling me the things you're gonna do for me. I ain't blind and I don't like what I think I see. Takin' it to the streets, takin' it to the streets, no more need for runnin', takin' it to the streets. Takin' it to the streets, takin' it to the streets, no more need for hidin', takin' it to the streets. Takin' it to the streets, takin' it to the streets, takin' it to the... Oh, you, telling me the things you're gonna do for me. I ain't blind and I don't like what I think I see. Takin' it to the streets, takin' it to the streets, no more need for runnin', takin' it to the streets. Takin' it to the streets, takin' it to the streets, takin' it to the streets. Repeat and fade ego transcendence follows ego destruction, person to person, one by one, the battle's just begun, until we reach critcal mass and solve the problem.Teach your children well:The Emperor Wears No Clothes by Jack Herer http://www.jackherer.com/book/ch01.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by mayan on May 28, 2003 at 18:31:11 PT Stalling Nor would he guarantee that stronger impaired-driving provisions will be enshrined in the Criminal Code by the end of this year — the self-imposed deadline he has set for decriminalizing possession of small amounts of pot."I don't want to commit myself to a time frame," Cauchon said outside the Commons. "We need fine-tuning, we need to work more with police organizations."How about working with the people? You know, the ones that pay your salary & the cop's salaries also? Maybe Cauchon meant that they need to work more with "police states" - like the United Police States of America. These stall tactics are growing real old. I can't wait for the courts to strike the cannabis laws down entirely. It's now just a matter of time!The way out IS the way in...Washington Post Headline on 9/11 Inquiry May Prove Prophetic Says Watchdog Group: http://www.scoop.co.nz/mason/archive/scoop/stories/6d/21/200305281016.258acdf4.htmlClassified: Censoring the Report About 9/11? http://www.msnbc.com/news/917942.asp?cp1=19/11 Commission Testimony Too Hot To Be Under Oath: http://www.tomflocco.com/9-11_commission_Testimony_too_hot.htmAmericans must lose sheepishness about 9/11: http://www.amarillonet.com/stories/052803/opi_americansmust.shtml9/11 - The American Connection: http://www.madcowprod.com/Gore Vidal on the "United States of Amnesia," 9/11, the 2000 Election and the War in Iraq: http://www.libertyforum.org/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=news_politics&Number=643844&t=-1 [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on May 28, 2003 at 18:22:58 PT A Little Gossip Just a little off topic post. Paul McCartney is going to be a Dad again. He is 60 years old! I guess smoking Cannabis and partying hasn't slowed him down too much! I can't imagine having a cute little ankle biter around. More power to him! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on May 28, 2003 at 18:05:51 PT Virgil Isn't this whole thing something else? I just watched O'Reilly bash Jacob Sullum and O'Reilly contradicted himself almost with ever other sentence. Why are holy, holy, holy people so darn mean? Maybe I should say very right wing people but they think they have glowing halos on the top of their heads and live above us all. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Virgil on May 28, 2003 at 17:57:04 PT A failed policy waiting to happen I do not know if the Liberals can get this through or not before the Supreme Court ends cannabis prohibition because of its senselessness and baselessness in seeking to limit freedom under the Charter of Rights. No matter it is an ugly period to end such a mediocre stay at the top. Cauchon is just looking dumb like his American counterpart. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment