cannabisnews.com: Cops Say Feds Sending Mixed Pot Message Cops Say Feds Sending Mixed Pot Message Posted by CN Staff on May 17, 2003 at 08:35:24 PT By Ajay Bhardwaj, Edmonton Sun Source: Edmonton Sun The federal government is sending a "mixed message" by doubling the maximum penalty for anyone convicted of growing marijuana for purposes of trafficking while decriminalizing possession of small amounts of pot, says a top cop. "That doesn't send a mixed message, does it?" said Edmonton Staff Sgt. Peter Ratcliff, president of the Edmonton Police Association. "Police officers, in general, figure that thing is going way, way, way too fast, the whole decriminalization thing. It's almost like they're catering to a certain, very small percentage of the people out there who are actively smoking pot." The feds plan to introduce a law increasing the maximum penalty for illegal pot growers to 14 years. The act would also make possession of under 15 grams of marijuana a non-criminal offence punishable by a fine of $150 for adults. If the offender possesses between 15 and 30 grams, police would decide whether to issue a ticket or lay a criminal charge. Possession of over 30 grams would be a criminal offence. "They haven't given this a whole lot of thought," Ratcliff said, adding the police association hasn't been consulted on the new pot bill. "They haven't thought about all of the other social implications ... the impaired driving, what do you do if a guy is smoking up at work?" Det. Clayton Sach of the city police drug control section "Green Team" agreed the feds are sending a mixed message but said he'd like to crack down on growers who make profits. "You're telling people you can consume it but how can you consume it if you can't get it?" said Sach. Sgt. Chris Hayden of the Edmonton Police Service, said the chief - and Canadian Association of Police Chiefs - disagree with decriminalizing marijuana. "But they do support a national drug strategy, which is in fact prevention and education," said Hayden. "Anything that can give us more teeth in the enforcement angle for the people that cultivate for the purpose of trafficking, we would definitely support." The bill is expected to be introduced after Parliament returns after May 26. Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB) Author: Ajay Bhardwaj, Edmonton SunPublished: Saturday, May 17, 2003 Copyright: 2003 Canoe Limited PartnershipContact: letters edm.sunpub.comWebsite: http://www.fyiedmonton.com/htdocs/edmsun.shtmlRelated Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmNo Laws Ban Possession of Marijuana, Court Ruleshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16321.shtmlThe Next Campaign - Globe and Mailhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16319.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #8 posted by FoM on May 17, 2003 at 10:03:28 PT Noah I agree they haven't figured out how to supply medicinal cannabis to patients which might just make the laws change in favor of total reform I hope.Canadian Marijuana Ready for Trials: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16200.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by Noah on May 17, 2003 at 09:53:52 PT: M&M There has been lots of talk about Canadian officials going to Holland.But there has been no mention of how this decriminalization will supply M&M to the ones who need it medically. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on May 17, 2003 at 09:41:26 PT noah I believe they are looking into supplying Cannabis like they do now in Amsterdam. Here's an article. Canada Rethinks Medical Marijuana Laws: http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16079.shtml [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by noah on May 17, 2003 at 09:31:50 PT: Medical Marijuana I thought the whole idea of a new national drug stratagy was to ensure a clean legal source of medical marijuana to the suffering Health Canada Medical Marijuana recepiates.So far this law only seems to help the recreational smoker.Why not do like the Dutch Govt.and supply M&M by presciption. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by lag on May 17, 2003 at 09:00:16 PT Wolfgang I'm with you. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by lag on May 17, 2003 at 08:59:38 PT lag Gee...I don't know...what do you do now if someone is smoking up at work, or drinking up at work?I mean....figure it out. I'm the one that smokes pot, and you guys are the ones with impaired mental capacities unable to figure the whole damn thing out.I have it figured out for myself. I don't drive, and I don't go to work high. It's common sense...something they like to demonize those that smoke with not having. It's one of the reasons they most likely don't have a clue the true number of people smoking. I mean...come ON! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by WolfgangWylde on May 17, 2003 at 08:45:10 PT Hey, Cauchon... ...take your time! There are NO laws against marijuana possession anymore. No hurry! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on May 17, 2003 at 08:41:38 PT Waffling Over Marijuana Law An Insult To Canadians Vancouver Sun Saturday, May 17, 2003 We're pretty sure that Canada is still a sovereign nation, but with the Liberals waffling over marijuana, it's getting harder and harder to tell.The marijuana bill -- which was to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of pot -- was supposed to be introduced on Thursday, but the feds have now delayed it until at the least the last week of May, when Parliament returns from recess.Health Minister Anne McLellan attributed the delay to the fact that she has still not secured funding for a national drug strategy."You have to be ready with information, with education and with treatment," Ms. McClellan said, because decriminalization of marijuana "can lead to addiction."Even Justice Minister Martin Cauchon didn't buy that, as he pointed to the fact that 100,000 Canadians use marijuana every day.Snipped:Complete Article: http://www.canada.com/search/story.aspx?id=ac4b588d-64e5-4092-857a-df5271471c12 [ Post Comment ] Post Comment