cannabisnews.com: O Cannabis: Ottawa May Ease Up On Marijuana Laws O Cannabis: Ottawa May Ease Up On Marijuana Laws Posted by FoM on June 07, 2001 at 16:48:49 PT By Joel Baglole Source: Wall Street Journal The Canadian government is seriously considering decriminalizing marijuana, a move that some American antidrug activists fear would undermine U.S. efforts to curb the drug trade. In a step toward possible further loosening of Canada's restraints on marijuana, the country's House of Commons last month formed a committee to examine the merits of decriminalization, and Justice Minister Anne McLellan is encouraging the debate. The proponents of decriminalization include some unlikely parties, such as a member of Parliament for the neoconservative Canadian Alliance and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canada's federal police force. While decriminalization wouldn't legalize marijuana, it would make possession a civil rather than criminal offense, with punishment reduced to a ticket and fine, similar to those issued for traffic infractions. Possession of marijuana currently earns offenders a criminal record, a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 2,000 Canadian dollars (US$1,300). U.S. antidrug activists argue that decriminalization in Canada would depress marijuana prices and increase supply in the U.S. The RCMP estimates that 800 tons of marijuana are produced in Canada annually, much of it shipped to the U.S., though exact figures aren't available. Data from Statistics Canada show there were 39,541 arrests for marijuana possession in Canada in 1999, up 37% from 28,773 arrests in 1989. The Canadian Medical Association, which has also called for decriminalization, estimates that 1.9 million of Canada's 30 million people smoke pot regularly, 400,000 of them for medicinal purposes. U.S. government officials say the liberalization of Canadian drug laws would create border security problems. "It's an ongoing discussion in Canada, and we are watching closely," said one official. Another said decriminalization would be a "disaster" for U.S.-Canada relations, especially "given the conservative bent in the White House." Robert Maginnis, vice president of policy at the Family Research Council, a conservative, nonprofit Washington, D.C., think tank, said the quantity and variety of marijuana flowing into the U.S. from Canada would increase significantly if Canada decriminalized the drug. The debate follows moves by Ottawa in recent years to allow marijuana use for certain medicinal purposes. In 1999, Canada's Liberal government amended the country's Controlled Drugs and Substances Act so people suffering from diseases such as cancer and epilepsy could apply for permission to possess and smoke pot, the marijuana plant's leaves and flowers. Its euphoric effects, some believe, ease seizures and pain, reduce nausea from chemotherapy and stimulate the appetite. So far, 264 people have been given permission, Canada's Health Ministry says. Canada recently broadened this law to allow select third parties to grow and supply marijuana to seriously ill people. Ottawa has awarded biotechnology company Prairie Plant Systems Inc. of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a five-year, C$5.8 million contract to grow 880 pounds of marijuana annually in an abandoned mine in Manitoba. The government plans to use the crop to further study the purported medical benefits of marijuana and supply marijuana cigarettes to ill people who have permission to use the drug. In contrast, the U.S. Supreme Court last month upheld, in a unanimous, 8-0 decision, a federal ban on medical marijuana, finding that marijuana "has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States." While pro-marijuana activists cheer talk of decriminalization, support for the move is also coming from surprising sources. In addition to the RCMP, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, which represents chiefs across the country, publicly supports decriminalization. Barry King, chief of the Brockville, Ontario, Police Service, says decriminalizing pot would free up valuable resources and allow law officials to concentrate on bigger problems, such as trafficking in hard drugs like heroine and cocaine. Even some conservative politicians support the move. Joe Clark, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, says softer penalties for marijuana possession are warranted, though many in his party balk at the idea. Keith Martin, an MP for the Canadian Alliance, Canada's largest opposition party, has introduced a bill that would replace criminal penalties for marijuana possession with a fine of up to C$1,000. While Mr. Martin's bill is unlikely to become law under Canada's current Liberal government, his involvement highlights the widespread support for decriminalization. "Serious criminals, rapists, pedophiles and murderers aren't getting prosecuted because our courts are tied up with kids who have been caught with a joint in their pocket. It's a losing battle and a waste of taxpayers' money," says Mr. Martin. Note: Even The Mounties Favor Decriminalizing Pot; Boon For U.S. Dealers? Complete Title: O Cannabis: Ottawa May Ease Up On Its Marijuana LawsSource: Wall Street Journal (US)Author: Joel BaglolePublished: June 5, 2001Copyright: 2001 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. Website: http://www.wsj.com/Contact: letter.editor wsj.comRelated Articles & Web Sites:Family Research Councilhttp://www.frc.org/Prairie Plant Systemshttp://www.prairieplant.com/ Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmDrug War Briefs: Oh, Canada!http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9996.shtml Searching For a Pot of Gold On Prairies http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9795.shtmlCannabisNews Articles - Canadahttp://cannabisnews.com/thcgi/search.pl?K=canada Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by Dan Hillman on June 08, 2001 at 12:56:28 PT The Small Penis Urinal > a move that some American antidrug activists fear would undermine U.S. efforts to curb the drug trade. Like which "antidrug activists"? Like the police-state bootlicking editorial staff at the Small Penis Urinal, who have been cheerleading the war on drugs ever since I can remember?> Robert Maginnis, vice president of policy at the Family Research Council, a conservative, nonprofit Washington, D.C., think tank, said the quantity and variety of marijuana flowing into the U.S. from Canada would increase significantly if Canada decriminalized the drug.Ah, yes, Mr. Maginnis, the think tank troglydyte who cheered on the cruel ruling of the US supreme court, while pronouncing gravely that the SCOTUS had seen through the "sham" of medical cannabis. Slime like Maginnis would have to crawl back under a rock if stock market by-products like the The Small Penis Urinal didn't give them such creedence. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Destined for BC on June 08, 2001 at 07:36:56 PT Thank you Ottawa I used to be one of those kids who poked fun at our neighbors up north. But after I gre up some and spent some time on Rue de St. Catherine, as well following Ottawas politics, I am now almost compelled to move there! [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: