cannabisnews.com: Move to OK Pot Ripped










  Move to OK Pot Ripped

Posted by CN Staff on September 13, 2002 at 08:36:02 PT
By David Eggert, Associated Press Writer  
Source: South Bend Tribune  

The U.S. drug czar on Thursday criticized a movement to legalize marijuana use in Canada, saying it would threaten public health in this country and reverse recent efforts to streamline border security."I don't think there's any mistake about it: We intend to protect our citizens. We would have no choice," said John P. Walters, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
His comments came a week after a Canadian parliamentary committee called for legalizing marijuana use among adults, increasing pressure to shift drug laws away from zero-tolerance policies in the United States.Walters said the United States respects Canada as a "sovereign country.""As long as (marijuana) stays in Canada, it's Canada's business," he said.But Walters directly criticized the Canadian Senate Committee on Illegal Drugs, which urged the government to regulate marijuana in the same way as alcohol and to expunge criminal records for possession."In my view, you don't make a major step involving a dangerous drug without telling people what the dangers are," he said. "Marijuana is the single biggest drug of addiction in history."The drug czar's visit to Detroit -- the largest city on the United States' 5,525-mile border with Canada -- followed a Monday stop by President Bush and Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien.Those two leaders visited the city to report progress in tightening security at U.S.-Canadian crossings while keeping goods flowing between the world's largest trading partners.Walters was flanked at a downtown news conference by law enforcement and drug officials who also opposed legalization.Walters' Michigan counterpart warned Thursday that legalization could harm the state's young people and make law enforcement's job much harder. Teens already cross the Detroit River to drink alcohol, gamble and visit strip clubs in Windsor, Ontario. They could travel there for pot and bring it back, said Craig J. Yaldoo, director of the state Office of Drug Control Policy."Anytime you make available a harmful substance, you're going to get a large group of people that may gravitate that way," he said.The Canadian Senate committee's recommendation is another in a series of moves toward legalization in that country. Last year, Canada passed laws allowing eligible medical patients to grow and possess marijuana.A number of U.S. states have taken some kind of step toward permitting the medicinal use of marijuana. But the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that there is no exception in federal law for people to use marijuana.Note: Drug czar sees threat to U.S. health in Canada proposal.Source: South Bend Tribune (IN)Author: David Eggert, Associated Press Writer Published: September 13, 2002 Copyright: 2002 South Bend TribuneContact: vop sbtinfo.comWebsite: http://www.southbendtribune.com/Related Articles:Canada's Pot Policy Under Fire from U.S.http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14095.shtmlDrug Czar's Visit Will Include Pot Issuehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14092.shtmlLegal Pot in Canada Would Mean Tighter Bordershttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14090.shtmlLegalize Marijuana, Senate Committee Sayshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13989.shtml 

Home    Comment    Email    Register    Recent Comments    Help





Comment #10 posted by karkulus on September 13, 2002 at 20:27:19 PT
I'd like to be A Fly..
On the Wall, to hear what they say about him after he leaves the room!! is it " He's right ,how could we have been so ignorant and un-intelligent and not smart like him!!"..or is it "What a "effin' dork!!"
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #9 posted by krutch on September 13, 2002 at 15:34:18 PT:
This guy ought to join the Taliban
He is a fanatic and a liar. Don't forget to register to vote. This administration must go. We must protect our freedom. We have no choice.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #7 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on September 13, 2002 at 14:50:25 PT

A good LTE should be short and to the point.
Sirs,  John Walters coming to Michigan and saying, "I don't think there's any mistake about it: We intend to protect our citizens", has got to be the most hypocritical thing he's said yet. If you don't see the irony, ask Tom Crosslin and Roland Rohm.
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #6 posted by Slatts on September 13, 2002 at 13:47:13 PT:

Threats
"I don't think there's any mistake about it: We intend to protect our citizens. We would have no choice,"Does that sound like a threat to you?After all drug producers are terrorists!Afghanistan today, Iraq tomorrow, … then Canada?Slatts

[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #5 posted by Dark Star on September 13, 2002 at 11:18:33 PT

This Line Stands Out
"Marijuana is the single biggest drug of addiction in history."Apparently not. Power is, and yours has addled your ability to make rational judgements.This type of extremism will backfire and may provide the incentive to Canada to follow its own course. 
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #4 posted by p4me on September 13, 2002 at 10:55:03 PT

Stop telling us what the liar says
 "Marijuana is the single biggest drug of addiction in history."Well history is a long time and MJ surely has been used for thousands of years as opposed to about 500 years for tobacco, on the world stage that is. The word addiction does not stick well on MJ users but it would be hard to create a substance more addictive than tobacco. But I do not want to waste time analyzing the words of a liar and a person I think should be hung for treason.But it really makes me wonder why people don't ask about hemp and hempfood. I mean how could even a f-up like Walters have get away without having to give us his lies on hemp/hempfood. "Bad Journalism" I reckon. Maybe he could say there are not enough studies to attest to the safety for human consumption or that scientist have discovered its consumption leads to changes in the DNA in the stomach. Wait a second, that is that genetically modified food. Never mind.Well, maybe you can use that as personal evidence that the government really it would be hard for the government to care less about your health.1,2
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #3 posted by Robbie on September 13, 2002 at 09:13:12 PT

I didn't know...
that a Senate committee was a movement.You're seeing bogeymen everywhere, Johnny!
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #2 posted by delariand on September 13, 2002 at 09:01:42 PT:

Hardly worth the response
"Marijuana is the single biggest drug of addiction in history."Another anti who's reading level is far below the requirement for the 50 page summary, let alone the full report. 
We all know the scientific evidence to the contrary."Anytime you make available a harmful substance, you're going to get a large group of people that may gravitate that way"And I assume this is something bad, something you want to prevent, yes? So what about tobacco, the most harmful
and useless substance sold today? Why aren't you saving those poor addicted souls, free them from the clutches
of nicotine by throwing them in prison for a while?
[ Post Comment ]


 


Comment #1 posted by goneposthole on September 13, 2002 at 08:54:24 PT

What about tobacco?
Is not tobacco addictive? The numbers alone prove that tobacco is by far and away the single most addictive drug throughout all of history. Those stinky Pall Malls have been around for a long time, too.You can lead a bull to the whatchamacallit, but you can't make him stampede.Mr. Walters is certainly trying to drive home point, but no one is listening. They're tired of it and all that goes with it.When everything is said and done, everything gets said and nothing gets done.Someday, one day, prohibition is going to hit a wall.
[ Post Comment ]





  Post Comment