cannabisnews.com: PM Inflames Marijuana Opponents PM Inflames Marijuana Opponents Posted by CN Staff on October 03, 2003 at 18:37:31 PT By CBC News Online Staff Source: CBC Ottawa -- Prime Minister Jean Chrétien is coming under heavy criticism for some off-the-cuff remarks he made about smoking marijuana. Chrétien has always said he's never smoked pot, but on Friday he said he might consider it. "I never tried it. I said I might be able someday to do it," he said. Chrétien was more specific in an interview with a Winnipeg newspaper. "Perhaps I will try it when it will no longer be criminal," he said. "I will have my money for my fine and a joint in the other hand." Chrétien was referring to proposed legislation that would decriminalize marijuana. People caught with 30 grams or less would be subject to a fine, not a court appearance or a criminal record. But the government is also trying to deter young people from smoking marijuana. Canadian Alliance MP Randy White, who is also vice-chair of the House of Commons drug committee, says Chrétien's comments are counter-productive. "To suggest to our young people that you can just start smoking marijuana, and just pay the fine and be done with it, is just irresponsible," said White. Alberta Solicitor General Heather Forsyth has fought against decriminalization, saying it will encourage organized crime. "I think it's a terrible message to send to our young people in this country. I think it's a terrible message to send to our young people, period." Source: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Published: October 3, 2003Copyright: 2003 CBCContact: letters cbc.ca Website: http://www.cbc.ca/Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmChrétien Jokes About Trying Pot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17465.shtmlPM Jokes He'll Try Pot Once It's Decriminalizedhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17463.shtmlChretien Jokes About Trying Pot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17461.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #14 posted by FoM on October 04, 2003 at 08:38:04 PT Kegan I wanted to mention to you that I understand why your Prime Minister is upsetting to you and others. I just know how bad it is down here with our leadership and think your Prime Minister is much better then what we must live with. [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Kegan on October 04, 2003 at 04:41:38 PT Chretien is a Villain Don't cut this asshole any slack. He is trying to impose a draconian US-style "REcirm" bill, which will make things a LOT tougher for the pot users of Canada.Don't give a wink in Jean Chretien's direction, because in my opinion, he is just like every other politician in this country: a 2-faced scum-bag. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by Marc Paquette on October 04, 2003 at 03:11:20 PT: How Stupid! Chretien and the decrim in Canada. Decriminalization means it's not a crime anymore. Where is the rationality of fines when it's not a crime? He will have a joint in one hand and money to pay the fine with the other hand...duh! Oh..that's just fine if your'e as rich as he is. If the poor gets a fine and can't pay it..what will happen? Hey..the man is old and senile..maybe he was drunk when he said that? Chretien's last stupidities! [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on October 04, 2003 at 03:11:04 PT Calling Marc Emery Chretien will think about smoking cannabis when it is legal? Sounds like he needs a visit from Marc Emery! Marc will be able to explain that it -is- currently legal, thanks to the courts, and the govt's proposal to fine users is actually re-criminalization. Plus, Marc would also bring along some of the best cannabis in Canada to share with Mr. Chretien. [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by Mike on October 03, 2003 at 23:25:22 PT Virgil; FoM Why am I not surprised?With examples like this I'm utterly amazed people still seriously wonder why the US is so especially hated. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by FoM on October 03, 2003 at 21:24:01 PT Virgil That is terrible. When will they stop! [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by Virgil on October 03, 2003 at 21:12:39 PT Pay or die Yellowtimes has an article up at http://www.yellowtimes.org/article.php?sid=1603&mode=thread&order=0 with the opening paragraphs- WASHINGTON (NFTF.org) -- Medical officials in Iraq say U.S. privatization of Iraq's pharmaceutical industry will render prescription drugs unaffordable for many patients. Speaking to the U.N.'s Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) news service, the head of Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) in Iraq expressed concern over transforming a system where prescriptions were filled for less than $1 into a for-profit market created by the United States. [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by FoM on October 03, 2003 at 20:18:39 PT Sam He does seem very French. I forgot to answer your question. [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on October 03, 2003 at 20:05:06 PT Sam I like Chretien. He might not be seeing the whole picture but at least he is seeing the picture! I like his serious but funny sense of humor. He'd probably be fun at a party if they let him relax a little. [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by Sam Adams on October 03, 2003 at 19:57:59 PT Chretien FOM he seems very French doesn't he? stubbornly independent. It's interesting that the actual French are more prohibitionist, but Quebec is the province with the highest legalization support. And the situation between the UK and the US is reversed. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by FoM on October 03, 2003 at 19:22:50 PT From The Winnipeg Free Press FREE PRESS: How does it feel to have bills to legalize same-sex marriages and decriminalize marijuana as the exclamation points to your political career?CHRETIEN:The decriminalization of marijuana is making normal what is the practice. It is still illegal, but do you think Canadians want their kids, 18 years old or 17, who smoke marijuana once and get caught by the police to have a criminal record for the rest of their life? So what has happened is so illogical that they are not prosecuted any more. So let's make the law adjust to the realities. It is still illegal, but they will pay a fine. It is in synch with the times. I don't know what is marijuana. Perhaps I will try it when it will no longer be criminal. I will have my money for my fine and a joint in the other hand.Same-sex marriage -- the decision has been coming from the court. Some people complain that perhaps the judgment goes a little too far. But for me, it is better to err on the side of giving more rights than taking away rights.FREE PRESS: I know you don't like to mix faith and politics, but did the same-sex issue pose any difficulties for you as a Catholic?CHRETIEN:For me, I made up my mind a long time ago and it has been a tradition of the Liberal Party. My grandfather had been refused holy communion because he was a Liberal organizer. For us, my mentality, my religion belongs to me and I will deal personally with that. I am a public person in a very diverse society and I don't think I can impose every limit of my morality on others, because I don't want others to impose their morality on me. Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)Author: Paul SamynPublished: Friday October 3, 2003Contact: letters freepress.mb.caWebsite: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/ [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on October 03, 2003 at 18:55:43 PT Sam, He's getting a bit saucy I like that. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Sam Adams on October 03, 2003 at 18:53:54 PT Go Chretien Go! Jean is getting a bit saucy with his remarks on this! I think he knows the judiciary is going to crush the prohibs & he's just taunting them at this point. oh yeah! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by E_Johnson on October 03, 2003 at 18:41:24 PT I agree ""To suggest to our young people that you can just start smoking marijuana, and just pay the fine and be done with it, is just irresponsible," said White. "Yes, you are right, it is an irresponsible suggestion on the PM's part. He is utterly neglecting his moral responsibility for the legal and human rights of those who grew the marijuana in his other hand. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment