Canada do de-criminalize teh weed

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » April 30, 2003, 7:30 pm

http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/04/29/ma ... tien030429

OTTAWA - Jean Chrétien drew applause and a few whoops of joy at a fundraising dinner Tuesday night when he said that legislation decriminalizing possession of marijuana in Canada would soon be announced.

"Don't start to smoke yet," he quickly cautioned the celebrants in the audience.

"We're not legalizing it, we're decriminalizing," said Chrétien who points out he has never smoked a joint.

There is an important distinction between legalizing marijuana and decriminalizing it.

The Criminal Code amendments, expected to be introduced in the Commons within the next two months, will make possession of small amounts of pot a minor offence that would be treated something like a traffic violation.

"So you will have another ticket," said Chrétien, "for losing your senses, or something like that."

The prime minister promised the softer line on simple possession will be accompanied by a wider anti-drug strategy that will continue to be tough on traffickers.

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon has repeatedly promised decriminalization. But he has put off action for months, leading some to wonder whether the government is serious.

Chrétien also announced his plan to ban corporate party fundraisers which would, ironically, prohibit such events as this $500-a-plate dinner he attended Tuesday.

Hooray for the lifting of draconian marijuana laws borne out of 1930's paranoia. I don't smoke pot anymore myself but it's nice to know my tax dollars won't be spent on arresting, trying and imprisoning people caught with a bag of weed on them.

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » April 30, 2003, 7:34 pm

kyoukan wrote:http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/04/29/ma ... tien030429

OTTAWA - Jean Chrétien drew applause and a few whoops of joy at a fundraising dinner Tuesday night when he said that legislation decriminalizing possession of marijuana in Canada would soon be announced.

"Don't start to smoke yet," he quickly cautioned the celebrants in the audience.

"We're not legalizing it, we're decriminalizing," said Chrétien who points out he has never smoked a joint.

There is an important distinction between legalizing marijuana and decriminalizing it.

The Criminal Code amendments, expected to be introduced in the Commons within the next two months, will make possession of small amounts of pot a minor offence that would be treated something like a traffic violation.

"So you will have another ticket," said Chrétien, "for losing your senses, or something like that."

The prime minister promised the softer line on simple possession will be accompanied by a wider anti-drug strategy that will continue to be tough on traffickers.

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon has repeatedly promised decriminalization. But he has put off action for months, leading some to wonder whether the government is serious.

Chrétien also announced his plan to ban corporate party fundraisers which would, ironically, prohibit such events as this $500-a-plate dinner he attended Tuesday.
Hooray for the lifting of draconian marijuana laws borne out of 1930's paranoia. I don't smoke pot anymore myself but it's nice to know my tax dollars won't be spent on arresting, trying and imprisoning people caught with a bag of weed on them.

Nope your Tax dollars will be used to prosecute Somali Child Beaters.

http://www.dnd.ca/somalia/vol1/v1c1e.htm

Akaran_D · Post by **Akaran_D** » April 30, 2003, 7:38 pm

Interesting..
You guys know there's going to be this haze of smog crossing the boarder after that law goes into effect, right?

Forthe · Post by **Forthe** » April 30, 2003, 7:57 pm

Cartalas wrote:
kyoukan wrote:http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/04/29/ma ... tien030429

OTTAWA - Jean Chrétien drew applause and a few whoops of joy at a fundraising dinner Tuesday night when he said that legislation decriminalizing possession of marijuana in Canada would soon be announced.

"Don't start to smoke yet," he quickly cautioned the celebrants in the audience.

"We're not legalizing it, we're decriminalizing," said Chrétien who points out he has never smoked a joint.

There is an important distinction between legalizing marijuana and decriminalizing it.

The Criminal Code amendments, expected to be introduced in the Commons within the next two months, will make possession of small amounts of pot a minor offence that would be treated something like a traffic violation.

"So you will have another ticket," said Chrétien, "for losing your senses, or something like that."

The prime minister promised the softer line on simple possession will be accompanied by a wider anti-drug strategy that will continue to be tough on traffickers.

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon has repeatedly promised decriminalization. But he has put off action for months, leading some to wonder whether the government is serious.

Chrétien also announced his plan to ban corporate party fundraisers which would, ironically, prohibit such events as this $500-a-plate dinner he attended Tuesday.
Hooray for the lifting of draconian marijuana laws borne out of 1930's paranoia. I don't smoke pot anymore myself but it's nice to know my tax dollars won't be spent on arresting, trying and imprisoning people caught with a bag of weed on them.
Nope your Tax dollars will be used to prosecute Somali Child Beaters.

http://www.dnd.ca/somalia/vol1/v1c1e.htm

Good.

Brotha · Post by **Brotha** » April 30, 2003, 8:05 pm

Why does it say Xyun's location is Canada now in his profile?

Krimson Klaw · Post by **Krimson Klaw** » April 30, 2003, 11:02 pm

For once there will be a rush for the border in the oposite direction. You GO Canada.

Xzion · Post by **Xzion** » April 30, 2003, 11:34 pm

Canada is moving right along in the 21'st century with holland and spain and others, i hope the US will soon, but i doubt it

Spangaloid_PE · Post by **Spangaloid_PE** » April 30, 2003, 11:45 pm

didn't wisconsan decriminilize marijuana possesion in small amounts?

Canelek · Post by **Canelek** » May 1, 2003, 12:03 am

Good for Canada. That is a pretty big move for any nation.

Kargyle · Post by **Kargyle** » May 1, 2003, 12:42 pm

In Texas possession of up to an ounce of marajuana is only considered a misdemeanor, and generally only results in a fine. (It can result in up to 180 days in jail, and $2,000 in fines) Enless they can prove intent to distribute. Also, after a little checking, it appears Texas is also moving toward decriminalization. http://smokedot.org/comments/2003/3/9/1 ... 981/0/post. I personally don't hold much hope of this actually passing, but atleast we are trying. I don't smoke pot, but I don't think it should be illegal. I don't view it any differently than alcohol.

Voronwë · Post by **Voronwë** » May 1, 2003, 12:42 pm

yay NAFTA!

Fairweather Pure · Post by **Fairweather Pure** » May 1, 2003, 12:51 pm

The war on drugs has given many people both money and power. Legalization of one of the tamest and most widely used/accepted drugs is going to be an uphill battle since it's a large source of revenue. People with power vs. the unwashed masses is never a forgone conclussion. I just don't see it happening anytime soon here in the US.

Deward · Post by **Deward** » May 2, 2003, 1:44 pm

It will be legalized in the U.S. eventually. It is just a matter of time. There are laws in the works in several states and the movement is growing pretty quick to legalize marijuana. Several major breakthrough laws have already been passed by state assemblies. Unfortunately, federal laws supercede all state laws so even if a state legalizes it, the FBI can still arrest you on federal charges.

I would say we will see our first state wide legalization of pot within 5 years. Nevada came really close last year. I think the vote ended up being 54%-46%. The feds waded in at the last minute and dumped a lot of anti pot ads during that election. One of the eastern states (Maryland?) passed a medicinal marijuana law through both houses and they are waiting for the governor to sign it.

Medicinal marijuana is on the books in California and another state already I think. That is the first step.

Deward

Forthe · Post by **Forthe** » May 2, 2003, 4:12 pm

U.S. warns Canada against easing pot laws
Last Updated Fri, 02 May 2003 13:45:52

VANCOUVER - A top White House drug policy official is threatening retaliation from the U.S. if Canada relaxes its laws against marijuana possession.

http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/05/02/us_pot_rxn030502

Fallanthas · Post by **Fallanthas** » May 2, 2003, 4:16 pm

The Feds and states along the border aren't going to like this at all.

It's going to make interdiction and enforcement a nightmare for them.

Vetiria · Post by **Vetiria** » May 2, 2003, 4:16 pm

Which is exactly why the US should be following foot, not threatening them.

Post by **Sylvus** » May 2, 2003, 4:18 pm

Sorry, Canada. I sure like you guys but knowing our government you all might be in for a regime change.

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » May 2, 2003, 4:22 pm

Vetiria wrote:Which is exactly why the US should be following foot, not threatening them.

What? thats like saying everyone speeds so dont enforce it. My god I do agree with legalizing pot as long as it is smoked in ones house only and is controlled so children do not have ANY ACCESS to it at all. But we should not legalize it because everyone is doing it.l

Vetiria · Post by **Vetiria** » May 2, 2003, 4:25 pm

Cartalas wrote:
Vetiria wrote:Which is exactly why the US should be following foot, not threatening them.
What? thats like saying everyone speeds so dont enforce it. My god I do agree with legalizing pot as long as it is smoked in ones house only and is controlled so children do not have ANY ACCESS to it at all. But we should not legalize it because everyone is doing it.l

That's not what I said. Fallanthas is talking about how much of a nightmare it's going to be to enforce drug laws now. What's the point in spending even more money than what is spent now to enforce something that cannot be enforced?

Fallanthas · Post by **Fallanthas** » May 2, 2003, 5:02 pm

Umm, you just said exactly the same thing again, Vetira.

"You can't enforce it, so why waste money trying?"

I can't eliminate murder either, but I am sure as fuck not going to call for a repeal of the law.

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » May 2, 2003, 5:06 pm

Deward wrote:Medicinal marijuana is on the books in California and another state already I think. That is the first step.

Depends how fast you get fascists like Ashcroft away from your lawbooks. There was that one dude in California that was found innocent for possession because his doctors allowed him to grow and use small amounts of marijuana. After he got off he was arrested again and convicted under federal charges. Ashcroft put a terminally ill cancer patient in prison for a couple ounces of skunk to live out the rest of what he has left for his life.

Vetiria · Post by **Vetiria** » May 2, 2003, 5:20 pm

Murder and marijuana are not the same thing. Try picking an analogy closer to the topic. How about this one:

The US established prohibition of alcohol with the 18th Amendment in 1917. The manufacture, sale, and consumption of alcohol was illegal. So what happened? People started bringing it across the border from Canada, making it in bathtubs, whatever. It was impossible to enforce that law. Try doing that with an even more popular drug now than alcohol was back then.

The government already spends billions of dollars per year, at a futile attempt to control drug usage and sales. You want to spend more money on a futile attempt of controlling drugs, effectively wasting it?

Murder rates drop. Look at NYC 10 years ago and NYC today. Look at marijuana usage 10 years ago and now. It hasn't dropped.

Fallanthas · Post by **Fallanthas** » May 2, 2003, 5:49 pm

Murder rates drop. Look at NYC 10 years ago and NYC today. Look at marijuana usage 10 years ago and now. It hasn't dropped.

Wrong. Matter of fact in my state drug uisage across the board, with the exception of Meth is down quite a bit in the last ten years.

Ok, repeal the laws and tell me what happens to pot usage.

Now explain to me again how the law doesn't cut the rate.

Vetiria · Post by **Vetiria** » May 2, 2003, 5:59 pm

Fallanthas wrote:Wrong. Matter of fact in my state drug uisage across the board, with the exception of Meth is down quite a bit in the last ten years.

http://www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/pub ... index.html

Xzion · Post by **Xzion** » May 2, 2003, 6:39 pm

theres only like 6 people in the US presently on medicinal marijuana

Fallanthas · Post by **Fallanthas** » May 2, 2003, 7:28 pm

In 1999, the survey methodology changed, therefore making data from previous years incomparable.

Note that the trend is downwards until the change in reporting.

Reported use of marijuana by high school seniors during the past month peaked in 1978 at 37.1% and declined to its lowest level of 11.9% in 1992.

Since 1998, current estimates of past month use of marijuana have remained relatively unchanged. In 2001, past month marijuana use among 12th, 10th, and 8th graders was estimated at 22.4%, 19.8%, and 9.2%, respectively.

Note: This is a survey, not an accumulation of any type of enforcement data.

Vetiria · Post by **Vetiria** » May 2, 2003, 7:35 pm

Fallanthas wrote:
In 1999, the survey methodology changed, therefore making data from previous years incomparable.
Note that the trend is downwards until the change in reporting.

Yes, and the change in reporting made it more accurate. Since then, drug usage has either stayed relatively unchanged or raised.

Reported use of marijuana by high school seniors during the past month peaked in 1978 at 37.1% and declined to its lowest level of 11.9% in 1992.

Since 1998, current estimates of past month use of marijuana have remained relatively unchanged. In 2001, past month marijuana use among 12th, 10th, and 8th graders was estimated at 22.4%, 19.8%, and 9.2%, respectively.

Note: This is a survey, not an accumulation of any type of enforcement data.

You just quoted the part I hoped you would. I never said it raised, I said it hadn't gone down.

Fizzlewhip · Post by **Fizzlewhip** » May 2, 2003, 7:42 pm

kyoukan wrote:
Deward wrote:Medicinal marijuana is on the books in California and another state already I think. That is the first step.
Depends how fast you get fascists like Ashcroft away from your lawbooks. There was that one dude in California that was found innocent for possession because his doctors allowed him to grow and use small amounts of marijuana. After he got off he was arrested again and convicted under federal charges. Ashcroft put a terminally ill cancer patient in prison for a couple ounces of skunk to live out the rest of what he has left for his life.

Kyoukan, can you link that please?

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » May 2, 2003, 8:59 pm

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=U ... +marijuana

Lots of shit.

Fallanthas · Post by **Fallanthas** » May 2, 2003, 9:02 pm

Vetira,

Read the whole thing. I said drug use is down over the last ten years. The survey shows a peak in drug use of 37% in 1978, falling steadily to 1992, then levelling off in the low twenties.

That's a damn big decrease, as I said.

Also of note is that reported drug use was highest in an era where drug use was more societally acceptable. Care to guess what will will happen if it's decriminalized?

We are drifting off the original point here, by the way.

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » May 2, 2003, 9:13 pm

Fallanthas wrote:Also of note is that reported drug use was highest in an era where drug use was more societally acceptable. Care to guess what will will happen if it's decriminalized?

You got evidence on that?

hint: your ass and/or anything yanked out of it doesn't count as evidence.

Vetiria · Post by **Vetiria** » May 2, 2003, 9:15 pm

1978 was 10 years ago? really?

Fizzlewhip · Post by **Fizzlewhip** » May 2, 2003, 9:24 pm

Thanks, but next time can you be a little more specific? I mean heck, I provide direct links, instead of making you waste 5 minutes of your time

here is the exact link I was looking for :
http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/02/12/findl ... marijuana/

The name was Ed Rosenthal. Pretty scary shit, RE: Ashcroft, etc.

Thanks again.

Forthe · Post by **Forthe** » May 2, 2003, 10:00 pm

Fallanthas wrote:Vetira,

Read the whole thing. I said drug use is down over the last ten years. The survey shows a peak in drug use of 37% in 1978, falling steadily to 1992, then levelling off in the low twenties.

That's a damn big decrease, as I said.

Also of note is that reported drug use was highest in an era where drug use was more societally acceptable. Care to guess what will will happen if it's decriminalized?

We are drifting off the original point here, by the way.

Your math is a bit off there Fallanthas.

Fallanthas · Post by **Fallanthas** » May 2, 2003, 10:19 pm

Fuck I am old.

Point conceded, marijuana use has held steady over the last ten years.

Kyoukan, you do remember 1978? Would you like to argue the point that pot use was more socially acceptable int he 70s?

Do you really want to try this?

Cracc · Post by **Cracc** » May 3, 2003, 1:02 am

So does this apply to all cannabis related substances ( like hashish ) or is it just grass

kyoukan · Post by **kyoukan** » May 3, 2003, 7:59 am

Fallanthas wrote:Fuck I am old. Kyoukan, you do remember 1978? Would you like to argue the point that pot use was more socially acceptable int he 70s?

Do you really want to try this?

So.. is that your evidence?

You read my whole ass/pulled out of ass disclaimer didn't you?

Xzion · Post by **Xzion** » May 3, 2003, 11:51 pm

keep in mind theres a big difference between decriminaliztation (shit im sure i slaughtered that word with the spelling) and legalization, the only country i know of where pot is 100% legal to be baught, sold etc is holland, for instance in spain you can grow your own (small) amount of pot only for personal consumption and selling pot is illigal...even though its not really enforced at all...holland you go to a coffie shop and they hook you up with the daily special

...boring saturdays suck

Fallanthas · Post by **Fallanthas** » May 5, 2003, 11:08 am

So.. is that your evidence?

You read my whole ass/pulled out of ass disclaimer didn't you?

Considering my evidence has been posted twice and you are still flapping your lips, I guess you win.

Dumbfuck.

VeeshanVault

Canada do de-criminalize teh weed

Canada do de-criminalize teh weed

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