cannabisnews.com: Tougher Pot Penalties Better for Canada Tougher Pot Penalties Better for Canada Posted by CN Staff on January 21, 2004 at 14:11:19 PT By Robert Russo Source: Canadian Press Ottawa -- Younger people trying to enter the United States will become targets of increased surveillance unless Canada can dispel the perception that it is slackening penalties for pot use, U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci said. That perception might be eradicated if Canada's pending marijuana legislation included criminal penalties for more than one conviction, for possession near schools or possession while operating a vehicle, Cellucci said. "We understand that this is a public policy decision for Canada to make just like (some U.S.) states have made," he told The Canadian Press in an interview. "We're just saying that right now the perception is that it's going to be a lot easier to get marijuana in Canada and that's going to put pressure on the border." That strain won't slow border traffic and trade to a crawl, but it will have an impact on border crossings and on those crossing into the United States. Younger people travelling south will be prime targets of heightened surveillance, Cellucci said. "If the perception is that it's easier to get marijuana in Canada, that's going to put pressure on the border as particularly young people drive into the United States, whether they're U.S. citizens or Canadian citizens. Customs and Immigration officers at the border are law enforcement officers. Their antenna will be up looking for those trying to bring these drugs into the United States." Prime Minister Paul Martin has said that his government will re-introduce legislation drafted by his predecessor, Jean Chretien, that decriminalizes penalties for possession of up to 15 grams of marijuana. What remains unclear is whether the bill will be brought back in its original form or whether it will be amended to toughen its penalties provisions. The Bush administration has made it clear to Canada that it regards the proposed legislation as a measure that will increase marijuana supply in the United States and increase drug trafficking across the border. Complete Title: Tougher Pot Penalties Better for Canada: CellucciSource: Canadian PressAuthor: Robert RussoPublished: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 Copyright: 2004 The Canadian PressRelated Articles & Web Site:CannabisNews Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmU.S. Warns On Pot Billhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17948.shtmlCanada Must Reject Trend To Legalize Drugs http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17817.shtmlCannabisNews -- Canada Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/Canada.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #26 posted by escapegoat on January 22, 2004 at 12:02:59 PT Kaptinemo I hope you sent this as a letter!editor tor.sunpub.com oped ott.sunpub.com mailbag edm.sunpub.com letters freepress.mb.ca lettertoed thestar.ca [ Post Comment ] Comment #25 posted by FoM on January 22, 2004 at 11:43:54 PT Marc I count on you standing up to us down here. I love living here in the US. It's my home. I love our country but what is happening to it now makes it not a nice place to live for many. You know that and we know that. Please never let us control your country or you will go thru what we are going thru and it isn't pleasant to say the least. [ Post Comment ] Comment #24 posted by Virgil on January 22, 2004 at 10:26:52 PT Senator Byrd might say something different Yesterday, Senator Byrd gave another speech on the Senate floor in defense of democracy and the Constitution. Comments at DU mentioned being brought to tears at the speech televised and webcast by C-Span. The transcripts can be read at http://www.senate.gov/~byrd/byrd_speeches/byrd_speeches_2004_january/byrd_speeches_2004_january_lis/byrd_speeches_2004_january_lis_1.htmlThe task before the Senate was the omnibus appropriations bill that in years passed would have come in 7 different appropriation measures. The bills were bundles with orders from the Nazi cabal in the White House not to change anything as industry had it the way they wanted it. The measure on removing overtime pay from a worker's paycheck in promise of future time off that was defeated by the Senate a short time back when it was the Family Leave Flexibility Act is packaged in this omnibus appropriations bill so that industry might get what it wants and the Senate judgement on the issue be damned.The huge tax cuts in the bill for energy alone mean that funding for many things will be cut. The fact that border control budgets will be cut in this bill is what is relevant to this article and situation.What we have is rheotoric from some monster the American people must kill. The following is taken out of its context in the speech, but they are worth mentioning as a stand alone thought in relation to this article.Rhetoric and reality are two different things. Next thing you know, the President will be promising to put a man on Mars. [ Post Comment ] Comment #23 posted by yippierevolutionary on January 22, 2004 at 06:31:47 PT Why Why Would young Canadians even want to come to the U.S? [ Post Comment ] Comment #22 posted by Marc Paquette on January 22, 2004 at 05:42:47 PT: The more the US will try to dictate...the farther Hi my Friends;I don't remember who exactly said that Canada wasn't a sovereignty country, but this person better return to school. Canada has always been known to protect US citizens from there own laws. A history lesson would benefit alot of people.Celluci, Bush, Walters, and your other "bullies" dont frighten us, and the more they will try to dictate what Canada should or "souldn't" do, the less we shall comply. US has absolutely NO right to bully any other country but their ownn...period!Peace,Marc [ Post Comment ] Comment #21 posted by kaptinemo on January 22, 2004 at 04:54:31 PT: Mr. Celluci assumes way too much And the worst of his assumptions is that the Busch Mal-Administration will be able to make good on it's threat, when it's own political future appears clouded and could get quite stormy - once any number of secret reports it is holding so tightly to are finally pried from it's hands.Usually, the louder the threat, the less likely it is of being carried out. The economic numbers in the US are only looking good right now due to bureaucratic legerdemain. Many hidden costs of the past 3 years are not making the front page news or the TV screen, for fear of panicking people.To threaten cross-border commerce at a time when the Busch Regime faces serious economic repercussions due to the vanished surplus, two illegal wars draining the Treasury of billions monthly and a so-called 'jobless recovery' is another example of how seemingly delirious and out of touch with reality they are.Mr. Celluci's actions remind me of someone with a vastly inflated sense of self-worth who is not well-liked by his peers telling them he'll commit suicide in front of them unless he gets what he wants. They all invite him to proceed.By all means, Mr. Celluci, suit yourself. But when the shops and industries start closing, and the small businessmen start going bankrupt and after they start screaming at their Republican handmaidens to loosen up, your planned show of force wouldn't last a week. [ Post Comment ] Comment #20 posted by FoM on January 21, 2004 at 21:18:18 PT Dankhank, Maybe You Can Get It To Work This is where I found the song. http://www.paulsimon.com/index_main.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #19 posted by FoM on January 21, 2004 at 21:04:44 PT Dankhank I just tried the song again and it worked. I had Windows Media Player 9 installed and my computer was acting buggy so I did a system restore and am back to the one below 9. Someday it will be easier for us to share music I hope. [ Post Comment ] Comment #18 posted by Dankhank on January 21, 2004 at 20:56:50 PT: Music FOM ... tried to listen to the Simon song, but failed.went to play something and found this. I gotta figure a way to share music, my free site won't support it.I Wouldn't Wanna Be Like You Alan Parsons ProjectIf I had a mind to, I wouldn't wanna be like you And if I had time to, I wouldn't wanna talk to you Oh, I don't care what you do, I wouldn't wanna be like you If I was high class I wouldn't need a buck to pass And if I was a fall guy I wouldn't need no alibi Oh, I don't care what you do, I wouldn't wanna be like youLEAD BREAK Back on the bottom line diggin' for a lousy time If I hit a mother lode I'd cover anything that showed Oh I don't care what you do, I wouldn't wanna be like you Oh I don't care what you do, I wouldn't wanna I wouldn't wanna be like you, I wouldn't wanna be like you...I dedicate it to those who would cage a human for a plant. [ Post Comment ] Comment #17 posted by FoM on January 21, 2004 at 20:16:24 PT A Paul Simon Song Called Father & Daughter I thought some of you might want to listen to this too.http://www.warnerreprise.com/asx/paulsimon_fatheranddaughter.asx [ Post Comment ] Comment #16 posted by The GCW on January 21, 2004 at 19:46:48 PT Like a: Bridge Over Troubled Water. The Art of being Garfunkel, includes a green life style. [ Post Comment ] Comment #15 posted by FoM on January 21, 2004 at 19:30:40 PT Virgil I bet Art Garfunkel didn't even think he would get in trouble for a little pot. It shocks some people that we still are suffering from reefer madness in this day and age. [ Post Comment ] Comment #14 posted by FoM on January 21, 2004 at 19:27:41 PT The GCW Shooting people like Art Garfunkel would eliminate him and stop all that bad and corrupt music he and Paul Simon made. Isn't it really something this war on a plant? [ Post Comment ] Comment #13 posted by Virgil on January 21, 2004 at 19:27:13 PT Alternet on failed health care in California The broken health care system could be replaced with a single-payer system- http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=17602You may be right, FoM, but why would he just not eat a little Miracle Plant? The things that make the paper on drug arrest are the bust they get for speeding along two of the Interstates in the county. The pull them over and want to search the car automatically. They have gotten some big bust and big cash because people speed. The push to get the pushers and their cash and stash. [ Post Comment ] Comment #12 posted by FoM on January 21, 2004 at 19:18:07 PT Virgil I think the trooper smelled marijuana smoke. That's how they busted Al Gore's son. One thing it shows me is Art Garfunkel at age 62 is still using Cannabis for his inspiration. I love Simon and Garfunkel's music. [ Post Comment ] Comment #11 posted by The GCW on January 21, 2004 at 19:17:37 PT If: Tougher Pot Penalties (is) Better for Canada, Would shooting cannabis users on the spot be best? [ Post Comment ] Comment #10 posted by John Tyler on January 21, 2004 at 19:14:45 PT Cellucci's promise U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci promises harassment of Canadians entering the U.S. if the Canadian gov. tries to bring a small bit of sanity to bear on the U.S. worldwide Drug War. That's my take on this article. [ Post Comment ] Comment #9 posted by Virgil on January 21, 2004 at 19:07:29 PT How is speeding a probable cause for possession of Miracle Plant. Why did he just not eat it? He was just a customer trying to be satisfied. [ Post Comment ] Comment #8 posted by FoM on January 21, 2004 at 18:49:25 PT AP: Art Garfunkel Charged With Having Pot January 21, 2004HURLEY, N.Y. (AP)--Art Garfunkel, part of the folk music duo Simon and Garfunkel, was charged with having marijuana after police pulled over his limousine for speeding in upstate New York. Garfunkel, 62, of Manhattan, was caught with a small amount of marijuana in his jacket pocket and was charged with possession of marijuana, a violation, reported the Daily Freeman of Kingston. Police said Garfunkel was riding alone when a state trooper stopped the limo around 12:20 p.m. Saturday in Hurley, 55 miles southwest of Albany. The trooper smelled marijuana after approaching the vehicle. State police Capt. Louis Barbaria Jr. said the trooper didn't realize who he arrested until later, although Garfunkel told him he is a celebrity. Barbaria didn't know why Garfunkel was in Ulster County. Garfunkel was scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 28 on the charge, or he could respond by mail or have a lawyer appear for him. He faces a $100 fine, unless he has had a conviction within the past three years and police did say whether he has. Garfunkel completed a U.S. concert tour with Paul Simon last fall, their first in 20 years. Simon and Garfunkel, who have been inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, produced a string of hits in the 1960s, including ``The Sounds of Silence,'' ``Mrs. Robinson,'' ``Old Friends'' and ``The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy),'' before breaking up. Copyright 2004, The Associated Press [ Post Comment ] Comment #7 posted by mayan on January 21, 2004 at 18:06:15 PT He's Made It Clear!!!! "The Bush administration has made it clear to Canada that it regards the proposed legislation as a measure that will increase marijuana supply in the United States and increase drug trafficking across the border."Yes, Bush has made it clear and Canada had better heed it's master's whims. After all, Canada isn't really a sovereign nation. They will do what Bush says!Here's more on the Toronto police corruption probe...Toronto police blocked RCMP corruption probe: http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040120.wdrugs0120/BNStory/National/The way out is the way in...Tell us the truth: http://www.arkansasnews.com/archive/2004/01/16/JackMoseley/107003.html Bush Opposes Extension of 9/11 Probe: http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0119-02.htm9/11 Panel Unlikely to Get Later Deadline: http://www.septembereleventh.org/newsarchive/2004-01-19-deadline.phpWhat's Bush hiding from 9/11 commission? Administration doesn't want truth out before the election: http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?ItemID=16315Building a movement from ground zero up: http://www.septembereleventh.org/newsarchive/2004-01-16-build.phpNew song blames U.S. for 9/11: http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=366879/11: The Gun Which Smoked For 1˝ Seconds http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/911_smoking_gun.html [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by Nuevo Mexican on January 21, 2004 at 17:21:00 PT I just mail my absentee ballot for Kucinich! Unfortunately my wife didn't get hers and she'll have to find our polling place, oh well! FOM was right, Kerrys' puff shot on the news was a 'big hit'!Too bad Dennis didn't beat him to the photo op!How about Kucinich and Kerry, the media will love the terms!Hopefully there'll be long lines of Ku-citizens now that the 'conventional wisdom' of polls have been debunked, polls mean nothing it seems now!So, this Kerry win puts the media on the defensive, and Dennis' 'under the radar' approach has spared him the attacks that got Edwards where he is! [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by westnyc on January 21, 2004 at 16:53:04 PT I just voted for Kucinich!!! I just voted for Kucinich over the internet for the Michigan Caucuses. Very easy to do; however, I was quite annoyed by the fact that they ask you to choose two-options on the issues most important to you like the war or the economy. It pissed-me-off that Civil Rights or the defense of the Bill of Rights wasn't on the list. I sent a fiery letter back to the Democratic Party. [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Virgil on January 21, 2004 at 15:07:22 PT Progressive Conserative Party-Dead in Canada I am not sure the significance of this, but the Progressive Party has merged with former Canadian Alliance to form the New Conservative Party of Canada- http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040121.wtory0121/BNStory/National The Liberal Party that enjoys such dominance in Canada is really a conservative party despite the name. It is just one of those funny things like having to click on Start to shut down your computer.A big story in Toronto is the contract negotiation of the old police chief. It is another chance for change and a backdrop of corruption and rubber stamping can be challenge. It has a long URL at the Toronto Star and is up now- http://www.thestar.comIt seems like the American economy will take care of the shortfall between American demand and American production. Having manufacturing jobs decrease 40 months in a row has created only one new profession that can keep many people alive. The prohibitionist have perfected the ancient art of alchemy by combining a seed with some dirt, light, and water and applying a blanket of prohibition. The smiles of the officers of one professional association of the new Alchemist, Perfect Alchemy Forever, can be be seen in this photo under the banner, "Prohibition Is Essential For Perfect Alchemy"- PIEFPA for short and not to be confused with PUFFTHIS. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by BlakNo1 on January 21, 2004 at 14:50:36 PT: make it stop Damn! It was bad enough having this f**kwad as my governor. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by BGreen on January 21, 2004 at 14:39:58 PT Terroristic Threats Younger people travelling south will be prime targets of heightened surveillance, Cellucci said.U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci is threatening millions of Canadians with harassment if Canada doesn't do what the U.S. says.This is terroristic blackmail. Who is U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci anyway? Do you Canadians want U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci as your ruler?Sheesh! As my British friends would say: U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci is a wanker.The Reverend Bud Green [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on January 21, 2004 at 14:27:56 PT Related Article from The Canadian Press Pro-Pot Senator To 'Educate' StronachJanuary 21, 2004 OTTAWA (CP) - A pro-marijuana senator who backs Belinda Stronach says he's going to have a word with the Conservative party leadership hopeful about her opposition to decriminalizing pot. Pierre Claude Nolin, who's working on the Stronach campaign in Quebec and who headed a Senate committee recommending legalization, said Wednesday that he plans to meet with Stronach next week to educate her on the facts. He said he regrets not having spoken to her before her campaign launch Tuesday in which she opposed changing pot laws. The Liberal government has proposed decriminalizing - but not legalizing - small amounts of weed. Stronach said a more liberal pot law would slow traffic at the Canada-U.S. border because of increased security, a sentiment echoed by the U.S. ambassador. But Nolin said Stronach may not be aware that marijuana has already been decriminalized in many U.S. states. Copyright: 2004 The Canadian Press [ Post Comment ] Post Comment