Pubdate: Sat, 12 Sep 2015
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Georges Ducharme
Page: F4

TOUGH-ON-CRIME APPROACH A FAILURE

In Canada, mandatory minimum sentences range from six months to three 
years depending on the severity of the offence. Under the law passed 
in 2012, someone who grows six pot plants - for the purpose of 
trafficking, the law dictates at that point - is automatically 
sentenced to six months in jail.

In the same year the mandatory minimums were introduced here, a U.S. 
panel of former and current police officials warned the Conservative 
government about the consequences of ratcheting up a war on drugs.

"These policies have bankrupted state budgets as limited tax dollars 
pay to imprison nonviolent drug offenders at record rates instead of 
programs that can actually improve community safety," they wrote in a letter.

The Conservatives cut and slash federal programs and services that 
will in time contribute to the death of Canadian citizens (coast 
guard, Veteran's Affairs, etc.), hide huge health-care cuts in an 
omnibus bill, yet are willing to spend millions (billions?) on a 
marijuana war they can't win. And they do this even though 65 per 
cent of Canada's voting-age population disagrees.

Georges Ducharme Surrey
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom