Pubdate: Sat, 17 May 2003
Source: Chomedey Laval News, The (CN QU)
Copyright: 2003 The Chomedey Laval News
Contact:  http://www.chomedeynews.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2596
Author: Savas Fortis

POT TO BECOME A CASH CROP?

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon recently traveled to Washington to brief 
U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft on the Liberal government's plan to do 
away with jail terms and criminal records for people convicted of 
possession of small amounts of pot.  Instead, the Liberals propose to fine 
offenders, treating the incident in the same manner as a traffic 
violation.  I am relieved by the Liberals recent announcements to US 
attorney general John Ashcroft for several reasons.  For one, before this 
legislation was tabled in the Canadian House of Commons, our government 
leaders have had the courtesy to inform our neighbours to the south about 
its implications so as to allay their fears.  So the Liberal sucking up 
continues and is quickly becoming costly as the Chretien government also 
announced another 200 million aide package for Iraq.  At this rate, 
actually fighting in the war would have ended up costing less.

I am reassured to learn that the use of marijuana is not being 
decriminalized; instead it may become a cash cow for government coffers as 
the fines are handed out.  Leave it to the Chretien Liberals to figure out 
a way to get a piece of this multi-billion dollar black market activity.  I 
could not understand why they would risk raising this delicate issue but 
now the possibilities seem endless.  Who knows - if this initial trial goes 
well, the Liberals might not only legalize pot use, but also levy taxes on 
its sale and use.  We already know what that did for the price of 
cigarettes and alcohol.  I am sure all pot users must be chomping at the 
bit, knowing that the next time they light up they may actually be helping 
to reduce the national debt.  This pot may just turn out to be a pot of 
gold for revenue Canada.
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MAP posted-by: Tom