It's a rare day when drug-law-reform activists agree with police unions, but this is one of them. The Toronto Police Association's negative reaction to the recommendation that officers undergo mandatory drug testing is entirely appropriate (Radical Change Urged For Way Officers Police Themselves -- Feb. 27). This type of mandatory testing invades privacy and has been ruled unconstitutional by the courts. Of course, the only solution would be to remove the temptation, end prohibition, and move to a legal, regulated market for all illegal drugs. I suspect, however, that the police association might not like the resulting layoffs of its members. Tim Meehan Communications Director, Ontario Consumers for Safe Access to Recreational Cannabis [end]
Long Time Cannabis Rights Activist And Cfmm Exemptee & Owner Of www.themarijuanamission.com At first glance, you wouldn't know that Alison Myrden has multiple sclerosis. Her sunny disposition hides the severe nerve pain that ravages her face. When she 's up and about, bounding around at events, court dates, or even at the local Tim Horton's, you wouldn't know that her wheelchair isn't a prop. "I have to ration my energy very carefully. One of the most common misconceptions about chronic progressive multiple sclerosis is that patients always look well to the uninformed," Alison told me over coffee at her south Burlington maisonette. "Look at Montel Williams. No one knew he had MS until the National Enquirer threatened to 'expose' him, and he beat them to it." [continues 706 words]
In Growing problem (Cary Castagna, Feb. 15), OPP Supt. Bill Crate is incorrect when he said, "Canada is now the No. 1 country for marijuana production." According to the RCMP and the DEA, the United States is the No. 1 country for marijuana production. Mexico is a strong second, and Canada is a distant third. It would be nice if reporters would apply equal scrutiny to facts put forward by police (who depend on the illegality of marijuana for much of their work load) as they do with other special interest groups. Tim Meehan Ontario Consumers for Safe Access to Recreational Cannabis Toronto (The RCMP confirm your ranking is based on their latest data and stand behind it.) [end]
Dear Editor, As official agent for Alison Myrden, Candidate for NDP Nomination in Burlington, Ontario, I'd like to clarify something regarding Matt Mernagh's story "New Growth for NDP," View, January 15, 2004. We have not accepted any financing from Mr. Emery, nor anyone else, at this time, and are awaiting direction from the New Democratic Party before engaging in activity of this type. Alison Myrden and everyone involved this campaign is committed to remaining in full compliance with the Canada Elections Act as well as the Constitution and Election Rules of the New Democratic Party of Canada. Tim Meehan, Official Agent Alison Myrden, Candidate for Nomination, NDP, Burington, ON [end]
I've learned over the years that once a person's arguments become punctuated by insults, it's a good indication the person's arguments aren't very valid. The sophistry in Mitch Garvis's Jan. 2 letter ("Defending drugs needs logic") is a good example. He accuses Chris Buors (Letters, Dec. 30, "Drugs are a property; we have a natural right to them") of lacking in skills of logic, without saying why, other than quibbling over the interpretation of a few words. [continues 120 words]
Re: 'An organized crime gang war,' News, Oct. 24. Another grow-op, another shootout. Another comparison to Chicago during alcohol prohibition and yet another police spokesperson who doesn't get it. Enough. It's time to get the profit motive and the criminal element out of this business. It's time to stop coming up with specious, easily disproven health reasons for not treating marijuana like tobacco and alcohol. It's time to stop using children as an excuse that we might send the wrong message when they have an easier time buying marijuana than cigarettes and beer because drug dealers don't ask for proof of age. It's time to stop butting into the private lives of people who prefer marijuana to martinis. [continues 166 words]
Prime Minister Jean Chretien told Paul Samyn that he might start smoking cannabis once bill C-38 passes (Face-to-face with Chretien, Oct. 3), and once he has, as he put it, "my money for my fine and a joint in the other hand." Mr. Chretien, why not just let well enough alone, and keep marijuana legal, as courts across the country regularly throw out marijuana laws as unconstitutional. Prime minister, you showed much courage on Iraq and the same-sex marriage. Why not for marijuana? Why not put into a place a system that keeps organized crime out of the picture, while maintaining safety and quality? Why not sell marijuana in provincial liquor stores to keep it out of the reach of children? [continues 51 words]
Re: 'Toronto Police Service reinstates program that puts officer back into high schools', News, Sept. 10. It's great that Const. Kevin McAleer wants to help kids stay away from drugs, but he should start educating them by telling them the truth. Personal marijuana possession is, in fact, 100 per cent legal in Ontario due to the court ruling of Mr. Justice Steven Rogin of the Ontario Superior Court, a ruling which is binding across the province. This type of misinformation only breeds contempt and disrespect for the police, something they surely don't need in these times. [continues 110 words]
Editor: The dismissive attitude of the Prince George Free Press toward "stuntman" (and president of the BC Marijuana Party) Marc Emery would be a lot easier to believe if you took a PR line from the RCMP and ignored him yourselves. I'm sure, in his era, many people thought Henry David Thoreau was a stuntman as well. Like it or not, marijuana is an important issue across this country and it appears that in Prince George, your readers seem to want to know about it notwithstanding your attempt at ridicule. Why else would you not only report on it, but editorialize on it? Tim Meehan, Acting Leader Ontario Marijuana Party Editor's Note: Marc Emery is the leader of the B.C. Marijuana Party, not the Marijuana Party of Canada as stated in Sunday's Free Press. [end]
I agree with Midland Police Service Chief Paul Hamelin: it is his duty to enforce the law. Since there is no law against possession of marijuana, I trust that Chief Hamelin and his officers will not engage in the practice of seizing and documenting people who happen to legally possess marijuana. If the Midland Police, or any other Ontario police force for that matter, engages in this activity, I can assure you that citizens who have their Charter rights violated by these searches and seizures, will certainly enforce the law as well - and seek substantial monetary compensation against the police through the courts. Tim Meehan, communications director Ontario Consumers for Safe Access to Recreational Cannabis [end]
After reading in the Saturday Sun that a teenager went to police to report stolen marijuana ("Teen calls cops after her pot is stolen," July 19), it seems to me that York Regional Police exercised due diligence in this matter, and actually consulted their lawyers - who confirmed that detaining, searching, and seizing a legal product could open the force up to a wide range of legal liability. This, of course, flies directly in the face of the message that many other Ontario police forces - including Toronto Police are putting out, namely, that they will illegally seize and document cases of marijuana possession with a view to charging people if the law is reinstated on appeal. Let's hope Chief Julian Fantino keeps in mind his former employer's stance at the Rolling Stones concert. Tim Meehan Ontario Consumers for Safe Access to Recreational Cannabis (We think our police have been sensible on marijuana enforcement and will continue to be so at the concert) [end]
In his essay "Stirring the Pot" [May 19], Stephen Handleman wrote on U.S. concerns about a radical plan to overhaul Canada's marijuana laws. When Bush Administration officials talk of tightening already strict border inspections because of Canada's drug-reform plans, Canadians and Americans should remember the lesson of Operation Intercept. On Sept. 21, 1969, the Nixon Administration began searching all vehicles crossing into the U.S. from Mexico. Border traffic was paralyzed. After protests from the American business community, the operation ended three weeks later. Despite the warnings issued by President Bush's drug czar, John Walters, a massive trade interruption between the U.S. and Canada for such a trivial issue will not be repeated at the U.S.'s northern frontier. Tim Meehan Communications Director Ontario Consumers for Safe Access to Recreational Cannabis [end]
Re: U.S. offers help with anti-drug campaign So after much bluster and fuming about trade tie-ups, Washington now wants to "help" Canada kick-start an anti-marijuana propaganda campaign? U.S. drug czar John Walters says he "tried to be helpful in private with Canadian officials." What he doesn't mention is that he would only agree to meet with the Senate committee studying the cannabis issue "in camera," presumably because the Senators' questioning of his logic on the issue would be highly embarrassing. The Senate, of course, concluded that legalization, not decriminalization, would be the best route for Canada. Tim Meehan, Ontario Consumers for Safe Access to Recreational Cannabis Toronto [end]
So MADD opposes cannabis decriminalization? I would say MADD is no longer just about ending impaired driving, but is now into the business of moral entrepreneurship. Tim Meehan (Impaired is impaired regardless of the intoxicant.) [end]
Dan McTeague's argument that because cannabis criminals can get pardons the impact of a criminal record is diminished is actually the bogus one. Making up for the damage caused by the state because of harmless conduct is a weak remedy. It shouldn't be illegal in the first place. The Americans are a non-issue: They know how much a tighter border will impact them, and are, to put to bluntly, blowing smoke. I think McTeague's attitude would fit better in an area well south of his riding, perhaps just across the lake. Tim Meehan, Communications Director Ontario Consumers for Safe Access to Recreational Cannabis (We have our doubts that Dan plans to move ... he's got oil companies to pursue, for one) [end]
LIBERAL MP Dan McTeague's attitude toward drug law reform would fit better in an area well south of his riding, perhaps just across the lake. Canadians must realize the Americans are a non-issue in this debate: they know how much a tighter border will impact them, and are, to put it bluntly, blowing smoke. Tim Meehan Communications Director Ontario Consumers for Safe Access to Recreational Cannabis (See Letter of the Day) [end]
Internet theorists often mention how technology has democratized the marketplace of ideas. I cannot think of a better example of this than the Media Awareness Project. Those of us that use it daily know its enormous power -- if any drug news happens across the planet, chances are it's indexed on MAP. Activist organizations (such as OCSARC) have, thanks to MAP, access to headlines of locally relevant news available for our web pages. All this, for a tiny fraction of the cost that the prohibitionist staus-quo uses for their media campaigns and spin. [continues 122 words]
Editor -- Judge Quentin Kopp is, to put it bluntly, dead wrong. When laws are used to infringe on the fundamental rights of people, it is the duty of every citizen to, in his words, flout (or, in words of the people, nullify) arbitrary and unjust laws. It's becoming apparent that the lessons of Nuremberg have been lost on Judge Kopp -- does he have any business being near a bench with this attitude? Communications Director Ontario Consumers for Safe Access to Recreational Cannabis Toronto [end]
Dear Editor, Rich Coleman should get his facts straight [Courts need anti-pot push, Jan. 31, Langley Advance News]. The RCMP's own website mentions that the story that cannabis and cocaine are traded "kilo for kilo" is an urban legend. The biggest killer in the drug trade is still alcohol, when you consider the number of people killed every year by drunk drivers. Maybe he should ask his boss about that one. Coleman should realize that the courts are simply reflecting community standards, which conclude that cannabis is neither very harmful nor much of a concern, and things aren't going to change by simply trotting out easily disproven propaganda. Tim Meehan Toronto [end]
IN CANADA, where marijuana is practically legal, it boggles the mind to watch how Ed Rosenthal is being railroaded. The last time a distant power tried to supersede the will of the local people, I seem to remember something about a tea party in Boston Harbor. Perhaps Californians need to take a more revolutionary tone to get the federal government to stop harassing sick people and their caregivers -- and federal judges, who should know better, to stop acting like puppets. Tim Meehan, Ontario Consumers for Safe Access to Recreational Cannabis Toronto, Ontario [end]
