cannabisnews.com: Pot-Possession Charges Down by 30 Percent





Pot-Possession Charges Down by 30 Percent
Posted by CN Staff on July 29, 2004 at 08:08:24 PT
By Kim Lunman
Source: Globe and Mail 
Ottawa -- The number of people charged with possession of cannabis fell by 30 per cent last year as police appeared to turn a blind eye to dope smokers due to uncertainty over Canada's pot laws, Statistics Canada reported yesterday."This drop may have been, in part, a result of a climate of uncertainty among police, given recent court rulings questioning the constitutionality of current laws regarding cannabis possession," the study said.
The drop in cannabis charges in 2003 contributed to an overall 8-per-cent drop in drug prosecutions in Canada, the first such decline since 1993.Last week, Prime Minister Paul Martin said he plans to reintroduce legislation this fall that would decriminalize possession of small quantities of marijuana -- 15 grams or less. A bill to that effect died when the last election was called.Police were more likely to use discretion due to the proposed law in possession cases involving small amounts of pot, said Brian Miller, chief administrative officer for the Ontario Police Association."For a while there, it was hard for us to get convictions because of the challenges in court," he said. "It's pretty rare for officers to charge first-time offenders in these cases. There's a lot of discretion involved."A total of 41,237 marijuana possession charges were reported last year. Cannabis possession accounts for nearly half of all reported drug crimes.The report also found that B.C. has the highest rate of drug crimes among the provinces for the past 20 years. It was the only province to show an increase (by 6 per cent) in reported drug charges in 2003, including a 3-per-cent hike in prosecutions of cannabis possession.Conservative justice critic Vic Toews criticized Ottawa for taking so long to move on its cannabis reform bill. He said it leaves law enforcement officers in limbo on how to proceed on marijuana possession cases involving small amounts as pot laws remain uncertain."It results in unequal justice across the country," he said. "It's not consistent."Mr. Toews said the federal government must implement a national drug strategy if it proceeds with the bill to decriminalize marijuana possession.Yesterday's report follows a Statscan study released last week that showed the percentage of Canadians who have admitted using marijuana has almost doubled -- from 6.5 per cent to 12.2 per cent between 1989 and 2002.The Liberal government wants to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana and have the offences dealt with through tickets and fines instead of criminal charges. Supporters argue that simple possession cases take up too many resources that could be better used to fight more serious crimes and that the offence does not warrant a criminal record.Note: Police looking other way due to confusion over Canada's marijuana laws, report says.Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)Author: Kim LunmanPublished: Thursday, July 29, 2004 - Page A6 Copyright: 2004 The Globe and Mail CompanyContact: letters globeandmail.caWebsite: http://www.globeandmail.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmRead Between The Lineshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19231.shtmlPot is Canadian Drug of Choice, Statscan Sayshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19213.shtmlPot Laws: Only Two Possible Choiceshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18998.shtmlFraser Institute Says Gov't Should Cash in On Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18974.shtml 
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Comment #14 posted by afterburner on July 29, 2004 at 22:32:54 PT
That Would Be Marinol, Synthetic THC, 
Cannabis Enthusiast. 
Medical cannabis patients tend to consider Marinol an inadequate substitute for natural organic cannabis or extracts. The oral method of delivery, for example, is ineffective for people with nausea caused by cancer chemotherapy.On the other hand, pharmaceutical products seek the "active ingredient" in plants and synthesize it. Whole wheat bread contains naturally-occurring vitamin E. Or you can take a synthetic vitamin E pill. Which will fill your belly? The naturally-occurring "inert ingredients" in plants are actually buffers that prevent shock to the system caused by excess influence of refined "active ingredients." Allopathic medicine favors the standardized control offered by synthetic "active ingredients." Traditional herbal medicine favors the whole plant approach as God in nature created them. Integrative medicine attempts to bring Western traditional medicine together with alternative medicine to provide patient-specific solutions and involving individual choice.Recreational or social cannabis use is a manageable activity for adults, more so than tobacco or alcohol. The people who get into the most self-destruction with illegal drugs usually use the highly-refined derivatives you mention to excess as they tend to fuel addiction.
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Comment #13 posted by Cannabis Enthusiast on July 29, 2004 at 17:41:23 PT
Meth-Cannabidiol, Meth-THC?
I know most people think of Crack, Methamphetamine, and Heroin as really evil drugs, but in all due respect they were created because they are more efficient and basically just plain _better_ than Coca leaves, Ephedra herb, and raw Opium in the sense that they can be administered in specific and accurate doses and are highly concentrated.Has anyone ever thought that if pharmaceutical companies did more research they could create a similar highly potent concentrated version of marijuana (no, I don't mean Bubble Hash or "Budder" as these are not chemically modified in any way)?
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Comment #12 posted by Cannabis Enthusiast on July 29, 2004 at 17:34:48 PT
Psuedoephedrine (off-topic)
I got sick yesterday and just today have started taking Tylenol cold pills to help calm the symptoms.But these pills have psuedoephedrine in them - the same thing peole make Crystal Meth with - and they make me feel really good.Does anyone else here find it odd that psuedoephedrine is legal since it can make people feel good?
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on July 29, 2004 at 17:01:31 PT
Mayan My Heart Feels Broken
I feel so bad seeing what is happening to us and everyone. Every value I've believed in seems so unimportant to our leaders. I had sort of a vision today. I saw Kerry standing like Nixon did and facing the anti-war protesters. It was a terrible thought.
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Comment #10 posted by mayan on July 29, 2004 at 16:48:01 PT
FoM...
Hemp is our only hope. Without it we will need to wage more wars to satisfy our lust for fuel,plastics,etc.That road will get us all killed as these are not times in which we want to get the whole world pissed off at us! The powers that be are leading us to total destruction just so they can make a buck. It's really sad, isn't it? When I was growing up I never imagined how screwed up things would be and how corrupted our government would become.
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Comment #9 posted by FoM on July 29, 2004 at 16:42:29 PT
Press Release from: Hemptown Clothing Inc. 
Hemp Fiber Enzyme Development Presentation from Hemptown Clothing Provides Insight Into Biotech Advances 07/29/2004 (CSRwire) VANCOUVER - Hemptown Clothing Inc. (NASD OTCBB: HPTWF), a leading provider of enviro-friendly hemp fabric clothing is pleased to announce that its recent presentation with the National Research Council of Canada provided excellent documentation regarding the impact of NRC's xylanase engineering on the Pulp & Paper Industry, and how such a similar enzyme may work with hemp fiber. Hemptown recently announced that it entered into a collaboration with the NRC for the development of a patentable enzyme technology process that may see hemp fibers replace cotton worldwide. Dr. Wing Sung, Lead Researcher at the NRC, explained how similar technology has positively affected the Pulp & Paper Industry by reducing production costs as well as reducing chemical and waste discharges. Hemp fiber is similar in its structure to wood pulp, and the NRC is working to build an enzyme specific to industrial hemp that will break down the sugar polymers in a matter of hours versus the conventional method which can take more than a month. This would pave the way for Hemptown to convert the raw hemp into textiles and industrial fiber on a large-scale basis at its planned fiber production facility in Saskatchewan, Canada, as well as allowing Hemptown to license out the patented technology to third parties. Hemptown intends to develop a hemp fiber production facility in 
Saskatchewan, Canada and purchase its hemp requirements from local suppliers, thereby creating a domestic industrial hemp agronomy. Eventually, the Company believes that it could compete directly with the Cotton Industry both in fabric quality and pricing. Jason Finnis, President of Hemptown, commented, "Hemp fiber is the strongest and most durable among natural fibers; so strong that it is even being developed into products such as windmill blades and automobile panels. And hemp converts five times (5X) more Carbon Dioxide into biomass versus a tree without herbicides or pesticides, making it a profitable and truly socially responsible cash crop for farmers who are looking for alternatives." Please visit http://www.hemptown.com for more information. This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934 and the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is subject to safe harbor created by these sections. Actual results may differ materially due to a number of risks, including, but not limited to, technological and operational challenges, needs for additional capital, changes in consumer preferences, risks associated with: market acceptance and technological changes; dependence on manufacturing and material supplies providers; international operations; and competition.For more information please contact:Patrick SmythHemptown Clothing Inc.Patrick hemptown.com1-866-HEMPTOWNhttp://www.hemptown.com/ http://www.csrwire.com/article.cgi/2916.html
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on July 29, 2004 at 16:30:50 PT
mayan
You're welcome! I hope we read more about Hemp and it's uses. Hemp could help so much. Anything that helps us not need foreign oil should be looked at seriously and after watching Michael Moore's movie it just confirms that to me and I hope many people.
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Comment #7 posted by mayan on July 29, 2004 at 16:26:54 PT
FoM...
Thanks! Sukoi just posted it on another thread also! 
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on July 29, 2004 at 16:24:47 PT
Here You Go Mayan!
I meant to put the link at the bottom but I put the pictures there too. Sorry about that.http://www.nbc5.com/news/3591440/detail.html?z=dp&dpswid=2265994&dppid=65172
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Comment #5 posted by mayan on July 29, 2004 at 16:20:38 PT
FoM...
I found the slides but do you have the link to the actual article?
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on July 29, 2004 at 16:17:50 PT
Here You Go Mayan!
http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread19244.shtml#1Images: Illinois Farmers Hope To Grow Hemp: http://www.nbc5.com/slideshow/news/3591524/detail.html
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Comment #3 posted by mayan on July 29, 2004 at 16:14:00 PT
FoM...
Do you have the link for that hemp story? The pics were pretty neat!
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Comment #2 posted by Universer on July 29, 2004 at 10:51:01 PT
OT: Ricky Williams' Pot Usage Big Reason For Retir
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=531&ncid=531&e=1&u=/ap/20040729/ap_on_sp_fo_ne/fbn_dolphins_williamsReport: Williams Said He Failed Drug TestSports - AP (My Yahoo!)MIAMI - Retired Dolphins running back Ricky Williams said he failed a third drug test for marijuana use, which would cost him a four-game suspension if he decides to return to the NFL, The Miami Herald reported on its Web site Thursday. Williams told the newspaper that marijuana played a larger role in his retirement than he indicated when he walked away after just five pro seasons. He said he learned of the failed test and possible suspension days before telling coach Dave Wannstedt last week that he was through playing. Williams said, however, that there were "a hundred reasons" for his surprising decision to retire, and his desire to continue smoking marijuana was only one of them. "I didn't quit football because I failed a drug test," he told the Herald. "I failed a drug test because I was ready to quit football." Williams said he's not addicted to marijuana. Coach Dave Wannstedt said the Dolphins have received no notification from the NFL regarding a third failed drug test, and Williams' latest revelation caught them by surprise. "We knew nothing about it," Wannstedt said. "I'm totally surprised and shocked again." Wannstedt said he's eager to move beyond the Williams situation and open training camp Saturday. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello declined comment when reached by The Associated Press. In May, three South Florida newspapers quoted unidentified sources saying Williams tested positive for marijuana and faced a fine of at least $650,000 for violating the substance-abuse policy for the second time since joining the Dolphins in 2002. He told the Herald for Thursday's story that he already decided to quit football before that second positive test. He appealed that fine, but received word last week that his appeal had been denied, the Herald reported. While the appeal was pending, Williams said, he continued smoking marijuana during a trip to Europe and failed a third test upon his return. He said he had been using a masking agent to cleanse his system while being randomly tested for two seasons but he didn't do that before the last test. Williams first failed a drug test soon after arriving in Miami in 2002, the Herald reported. He spent much of his two seasons with the Dolphins in the league's drug program, seeing a therapist weekly and taking eight to 10 random urine tests a month, the story said. Williams suffers from social-anxiety disorder and was a spokesman for the anti-depressant Paxil. He said marijuana helped him once he had to stop using Paxil because it didn't agree with his diet. Williams played three seasons for New Orleans but didn't blossom until he was dealt to the Dolphins in 2002 for two first-round draft picks. At times, Miami's biggest trade since 1970 looked like a steal. Williams led the NFL in 2002 with 1,853 yards rushing and broke nine team records. Last season he ran for 1,372 yards despite little offensive support. 
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on July 29, 2004 at 08:13:59 PT
Hemp News Article from NBC5.com
Illinois Farmers Hope To Grow HempAdvocates Say Crop Would Raise Needed CashJuly 29, 2004CHICAGO -- During World War II, farmers all over America were urged to grow industrial hemp so that Allied troops would have plenty of rope and canvas.Many Illinois farmers raised the plant, including Paul Taylor's father. The old hemp processing plant still stands near his family's Esmond farm. Taylor said he would like to put the building to good use once again. Images: Illinois Farmers Hope To Grow Hemp: 
http://www.nbc5.com/slideshow/news/3591524/detail.html"We would be growing a crop that would be used for fiber, just like a cotton crop," he said. "Or the seeds could be harvested for use for oil, just like a soybean. I think it has value that the American people need to look at seriously."But in 2004, farmers are not just discouraged from growing hemp -- they are prohibited from raising the crop, NBC5's Phil Rogers reported on Wednesday. While hemp grows wild all over Illinois, it is illegal to grow the plant.Industrial hemp has many uses -- its fiber can be used to make paper and cloth, and its seeds can be used in food products. The Body Shop even has a whole line of hemp products.Hemp is one of the world's oldest cultivated plants -- George Washington and Thomas Jefferson grew it, and it was illegal not to grow the plant in colonial Jamestown. Currently, hemp is grown legally in dozens of countries around the world, including Canada.The only thing industrial hemp cannot be used for is getting high."Hemp is not marijuana," said farmer Steve Fairve. "They're two different plants."Hemp is a relative of marijuana, Rogers reported. But unlike its counterculture cousin, hemp has almost no THC, the chemical in marijuana, which creates the high.Hemp was outlawed in the 1930s amid drug fears that spawned cult classics like the film "Reefer Madness."Opponents of legalizing industrial hemp argue that hemp would help to hide vast fields of marijuana, Rogers reported. But advocates point out that if someone wanted to grow marijuana, hemp would be the last plant one would want to cultivate."It will actually decrease the THC content of its drug cousin," Fairve said.Faivre's family has worked on their DeKalb County farm for generations. Fairve is a DeKalb County Board member and said farmers could use the choice of another viable crop. Fairve noted that hemp has probably one of the longest lists of usability of any plant that is grown in the world.Four years ago, the Illinois General Assembly voted almost unanimously to have the University of Illinois study hemp as a cash crop. But then-Gov. George Ryan vetoed the bill, citing fears that hemp would pave the way for the legalization of marijuana."Our political leaders seem to be very hesitant to say, 'I sign this bill into law, making it legal,'" Faivre said, "because I think whatever party did it, the opposition would label them with being soft on drugs, because they legalized hemp."Fairve and Julie Fauci, another DeKalb County Board member, hope to pass a resolution this month calling on the General Assembly to reconsider hemp for Illinois, Rogers reported. The Illinois Farm Bureau is also on record advocating industrial hemp research, noting all hemp used for consumer products in the United States is imported from other countries.Fauci said the time is right to make hemp available as a cash crop to Illinois farmers. Fauci points out that fabric made from hemp feels a lot like linen -- and is extremely durable. She bristles at the notion of linking hemp with marijuana."It's not at all the same plant," she said. "I mean, it is related. It's like one of your relatives acting up, and you're getting all the blame."Copyright 2004 by NBC5.comhttp://www.nbc5.com/slideshow/news/3591524/detail.html
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