Pubdate: Tue, 17 Sep 2002
Source: Lakes District News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 BC Newspaper Group
Contact:  http://www.ldnews.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2288
Author: Colin McGarrigle

GOVT. PLANS ABOUT MARIJUANA

The Canadian Senate, who held a special committee on illegal drugs, has 
recently released a new report on the legalization of marijuana.

The controversial report has recommended that marijuana and hashish be 
legalized and regulated by the Government of Canada within a five year period.

Across the country, opinions are mixed on the new recommendations from this 
un-elected form of government.

The report was well over 600 pages long and states that, Marijuana is not a 
health risk. The Senate held more than 40 days of public hearings and heard 
from over 100 witnesses, including doctors, lawyers and advocates. Other 
countries with more liberal stances on the drug were also studied for the 
effects of decriminalized marijuana laws.

According to the committee, the current drug policies in Canada are 
ineffective. The annual cost of drug enforcement is estimated between 700 
million and one billion dollars.

The committee felt that the proposed amendments to legislation would 
produce substantial savings in court resources and free-up police to work 
on other priorities.

Even though there have been billions of dollars poured into enforcement of 
cannabis laws in the last 30 years, there are more regular users and 
cannabis is cultivated on a larger scale than ever before.

Studies in the report have shown that close to half of all Canadians have 
experimented with marijuana at least once in their lifetime. According to 
those against the report, legalized marijuana will not have any social 
benefits and there will be more regular users.

The Senate reiterates by saying that there is no medical proof of physical 
dependency and the psychological dependency is lower than that of alcohol 
or tobacco.

Concerns have been raised regarding the use of marijuana and driving. There 
are currently no roadside tests for those under the influence, even though 
the Senate recognizes the fact that users are impaired after cannabis 
consumption.

The committee did however recommend that legal levels of alcohol for 
driving be lowered to 40 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood for those 
under the influence of drugs and that police officers be trained in 
detecting those particular persons.

On top of legalization, the Senate also recommended that the Government of 
Canada declare an amnesty for any persons convicted of possession of 
cannabis under current or past legislation.

This would see between 300,000 and 600,000 Canadians lose many of the 
limitations that a criminal conviction brings about, such as cross border 
travel and employment constraints. The Senate has also stated that the 
general public, if eligible, should be able to cultivate marijuana. Those 
who have never been convicted of any criminal offence will be able to 
procure a license to distribute or produce cannabis and its derivatives, 
except persons connected to the tobacco industry.

They also wish to see an amendment to the National Drug Strategy saying it 
should incorporate all psychoactive drugs, including tobacco and alcohol. 
Some feel is far more harmful than cannabis.

The Senate however, does not recommend the use of cannabis and wants to see 
a strong prevention program put in place for Canada's youth. Distributors 
will not be able to sell marijuana to anyone under the age of 16.

This particular point was not well received by many, who feel it is 
ridiculous that a teenager will be able to smoke cannabis before they can 
buy cigarettes, vote, or have a drink.

Another recommendation is that cannabis be taxed and governmentally 
regulated. The taxes are to be applied towards programs in prevention of 
use, treatment of excessive users and further research.

For those opposed, there is a concern for for a potential increase of fires 
with experimental growers. This regards the proposal that would allow 
recreational users to produce cannabis for personal use, as long as it is 
not sold and the quantities are limited.

No international trade would be allowed under the recommendations by the 
committee and they feel that more resources should become available to 
police and customs to fight smuggling and black market trade, which is sure 
to increase.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Alex