Legalization of Marijuana - Policy Paper 2013 - Liberal Party of Canada in BC

Yessica...

Well-Known Member
This was voted on by the Liberal Party in March 2014. This is now "party policy" and it outlines what they plan on doing with Legalization if (and when) they are elected.

Some real good ideas in there, in my opinion...

https://bc.liberal.ca/files/2013/01/DRAFT-Marijuana-Policy-Paper-Jan-13.pdf

Some highlights:

"WILL PEOPLE BE ALLOWED TO GROW IT IN THEIR HOMES FOR PERSONAL CONSUMPTION OR PRIVATE SALE?

Yes. While we expect the interest or need for individuals to grow their own to be greatly reduced post-prohibition, it should not – and likely could not - be eliminated. At the same time, sale of marijuana should be limited to businesses and require proper licensing.

The State of Colorado is planning to impose a limit of six plants per person as part of their legalization plan scheduled to take effect in January 2013. We believe a maximum number of plants for personal use should be determined following consultation with provinces, local governments and other stakeholders.

SHOULD THERE BE LIMITS PLACED ON THE AMOUNT OF MARIJUANA ONE CAN POSSESS AND/OR PURCHASE?

Yes. While we expect there will be little need for Canadian adults to “stock-up” on product if quality cannabis is legal and readily available, we are concerned about the potential for organized crime to easily stockpile legal product for smuggling to other countries.

According to consumption statistics (RAND 2009), monthly marijuana users in Canada consume an average of 1 gram per day – or one ounce (28 grams) each month. Washington State plans to allow adults to possess only one ounce of marijuana at a time.

We feel Washington’s one ounce limit may create unnecessary, ongoing enforcement requirements and restrict people growing their own for personal use - where one plant may yield more than an ounce of product.

In this light we recommend a four ounce (.10 kg) limitation be considered for the amount a non-licensed vendor or distributor can purchase or possess without obtaining a special permit, subject to consultation with consumers, distributors, law enforcement and producers. We feel this is reasonable and akin to purchasing a 40 or 60 oz. bottle of vodka or whisky a couple times a year instead of buying a small bottle each month.

Other limits would need to be established for cannabis-infused goods, plants for personal use and marijuana in liquid form. Washington State has established a 16 ounce (.45kg) possession limit on cannabis-infused goods or up to 72 ounces (2.4kg) for cannabis in liquid form.

WHAT WILL BE THE PENALTIES FOR PEOPLE WHO OPERATE OUTSIDE THE LEGAL SYSTEM?

As marijuana will be legal, tougher penalties and sentences are justified for those operating outside the legal system – particularly those attempting to sell marijuana to minors and/or smuggle it into other countries for cash, other drugs and weapons. That said, experience with the end of alcohol prohibition and tobacco regulation suggests few Canadians will be interested in the black market as long as the product is more accessible, as good and less expensive.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO CRIMINAL RECORDS OF CANADIANS CONVICTED OF MARIJUANA RELATED OFFENCES?

A survey prepared for this paper invited federal Liberals and British Columbians to answer this question. Of the 1000 respondents, approximately 80% said Canadians with prior convictions for marijuana possession should have their records cleared. We agree.

Canadians convicted of trafficking marijuana or those who have been charged outside of Canada should continue to have access to exiting processes associated with pardons, clemency and the purging of records where minor infractions are involved."

Thoughts?
 

leaffan

Well-Known Member
It's going to take some time to read this. Thank you for posting this.
I notice you say...
"This was voted on by the Liberal Party in March 2014. This is now "party policy" and it outlines what they plan on doing with Legalization if (and when) they are elected."

This was a proposal that was put forward by Liberal BC and young liberals...this has been voted on by the Federal Liberal Party???
 

Yessica...

Well-Known Member
It's going to take some time to read this. Thank you for posting this.
I notice you say...
"This was voted on by the Liberal Party in March 2014. This is now "party policy" and it outlines what they plan on doing with Legalization if (and when) they are elected."

This was a proposal that was put forward by Liberal BC and young liberals...this has been voted on by the Federal Liberal Party???
YUP - I called and talked to a man who has been an active member in the Liberal party for the past 20 years.

He told me they voted on this, as a whole Party, in March of this year.

"It is now Party Policy, and the platform that JT is running on in regards to Marijuana."

Exact words.

Well - he didn't say "JT". haha
 

Yessica...

Well-Known Member
I have no clue why I wasn't aware of this....that in itself is a problem. I'm sure most are not aware of this.
I wasn't.

It's on the internet - but it says 2013 - and it doesn't say anywhere that it's "party policy".

I will ask a lot of these questions in September.

I also (fortunately and unfortunately) don't have television. So I miss all the propaganda election Campaign commercials. I assume there's a lot of them though...
 

Necsync

Active Member
...Yessica posted this previously on June 24....I'm surprised no one read it back then because on page 12 it mentions the mmj program.....

WOULD PEOPLE CONSUMING MARIJUANA FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES
CONTINUE TO BE IN A SPECIAL CATEGORY?

The regulations exempting medical use of marijuana are only necessary because of the current law. With the end of prohibition, there will be no need for this legal exemption
– which has proven difficult to manage for many patients, doctors, designated growers, municipal authorities and law enforcement personnel.

In addition to saving tax dollars, replacing the federal medical marijuana program with a new legal framework may encourage doctors and researchers to more freely explore health impacts alternatives to smoking and potential for inclusion of medical use in provincial health insurance programs.
 

Yessica...

Well-Known Member
...Yessica posted this previously on June 24....I'm surprised no one read it back then because on page 12 it mentions the mmj program.....

WOULD PEOPLE CONSUMING MARIJUANA FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES
CONTINUE TO BE IN A SPECIAL CATEGORY?

The regulations exempting medical use of marijuana are only necessary because of the current law. With the end of prohibition, there will be no need for this legal exemption
– which has proven difficult to manage for many patients, doctors, designated growers, municipal authorities and law enforcement personnel.

In addition to saving tax dollars, replacing the federal medical marijuana program with a new legal framework may encourage doctors and researchers to more freely explore health impacts alternatives to smoking and potential for inclusion of medical use in provincial health insurance programs.
Oh, back then I just thought it was an old plan.

NOW - apparently - it is THE plan.

But - I don't think anyone would be opposed to helpful suggestions.

So if there is anything in there that you would write differently - let's hear it.
 

VIANARCHRIS

Well-Known Member
I wasn't aware this had been passed, either. Although it is a step in the right direction, from what I read in the highlights, they still don't get it. I will not be happy with restrictions on the number of plants I can grow or possession limits. There are no such restrictions on alcohol...I can legally brew a swimming pool full of beer and carry as much booze on me as I want. I believe they are erring on the side of caution, so as not to turn off their non-toking voters, but it still smacks of prohibition era rules. I will take the time to read the whole article later....I'm going fishin'! thanks for posting this.
 

Yessica...

Well-Known Member
I wasn't aware this had been passed, either. Although it is a step in the right direction, from what I read in the highlights, they still don't get it. I will not be happy with restrictions on the number of plants I can grow or possession limits. There are no such restrictions on alcohol...I can legally brew a swimming pool full of beer and carry as much booze on me as I want. I believe they are erring on the side of caution, so as not to turn off their non-toking voters, but it still smacks of prohibition era rules. I will take the time to read the whole article later....I'm going fishin'! thanks for posting this.
You can brew a swimming pool of beer. But you CANNOT sell it without going through the government red tape and being taxed out the ying-yang.

At least in Ontario your can't.
 

Yessica...

Well-Known Member
This is private....Yessica you're a member, snoop around....what is the official policy?


http://www.liberal.ca/groups/crime-justice/
It's a private group for me too!

I requested to be in the group though - I'll let you know what happens.

Actually, it's really not very hard to join the party. I think you just fill in some information online.

And I might have given them 20 bucks? Or maybe it was 3 bucks? It was some amount of dollars.
 

VIANARCHRIS

Well-Known Member
You can brew a swimming pool of beer. But you CANNOT sell it without going through the government red tape and being taxed out the ying-yang.

At least in Ontario your can't.
True, but the fact is I can produce and possess the booze as long as it is for personal consumption. The same rules should apply to mj, imo.
 

Yessica...

Well-Known Member
True, but the fact is I can produce and possess the booze as long as it is for personal consumption. The same rules should apply to mj, imo.
I think they will.

They need to be better informed by existing patients.

If someone needs more than the allocated number of plants to keep themselves "in the medicine" all the time, then they should be able to grow whatever they need.

That's the only thing that makes any sense.
 

CalyxCrusher

Well-Known Member
...Yessica posted this previously on June 24....I'm surprised no one read it back then because on page 12 it mentions the mmj program.....

WOULD PEOPLE CONSUMING MARIJUANA FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES
CONTINUE TO BE IN A SPECIAL CATEGORY?

The regulations exempting medical use of marijuana are only necessary because of the current law. With the end of prohibition, there will be no need for this legal exemption
– which has proven difficult to manage for many patients, doctors, designated growers, municipal authorities and law enforcement personnel.

In addition to saving tax dollars, replacing the federal medical marijuana program with a new legal framework may encourage doctors and researchers to more freely explore health impacts alternatives to smoking and potential for inclusion of medical use in provincial health insurance programs.

This excerpt you posted concerns me because if they feel there is no need for a medical program WHEN legalization occurs patients will be forced to pay the higher priced and taxed cannabis just like Colorado or Washington's recreational programs. There's a substantial difference in pricing and taxes between the medical and recreational programs. It would also be safe to assume that the medical program is held to a higher standard then the recreational one, being that patients health depends on a clean effective and reasonably priced product.
 

Yessica...

Well-Known Member
This excerpt you posted concerns me because if they feel there is no need for a medical program WHEN legalization occurs patients will be forced to pay the higher priced and taxed cannabis just like Colorado or Washington's recreational programs. There's a substantial difference in pricing and taxes between the medical and recreational programs. It would also be safe to assume that the medical program is held to a higher standard then the recreational one, being that patients health depends on a clean effective and reasonably priced product.
It does also say that people will be able to grow their own for personal use.

I would have to assume (or actually demand if Im being honest) that patients that cannot grow their own "personal use plants" will have to be allowed to get someone else to grow for them.

But - if it's legalized - it doesn't really seem like it would be too hard to do that.

All the rules around medical marijuana, and where you can go, and what you can do, and all that under the MMPR - is all kinda bullshit.

For example: today - I called my airline that I am flying with in September, and asked them what their policy on MMJ was. The lady on the phone asked me if I had my ATP card. I had to inform her of the new system, and the new rules.

NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF THE MMJ COMMUNITY!

We need to inform them. Of the current rules and regulations under the MMPR. And also - ALL OF THE ISSUES that we are having with those regulations.
 

bigmanc

Well-Known Member
I think we are better off with a platform like Colorado. Problem is, there is just so much tax and i doubt it goes back into the community in a noticeable way.

@yessica, thats what these multi million dollar power house LPs are sapose to do. HC even stated that under the MMPR companies will be forth coming and progressive with research and development. Yeahhh riteee.

When the MMAR makes a return the plastic photo ID HC cards better come back too.
 

Yessica...

Well-Known Member
I think we are better off with a platform like Colorado. Problem is, there is just so much tax and i doubt it goes back into the community in a noticeable way.
If people are allowed to grow their own, then those who want to - will. I don't think they can even tax that? Not really.

And those who want to buy fancy-pants 20.00 a gram strains at the dispensaries - they will do that too.

I think we can all be happy together. The patients, growers, gov'ment with their tax money, and those folk who don't care either way about marijuana.

The only people who will be getting royally screwed here are those that are illegally trafficking marijuana and that use violence and gang mentality to keep things the way they are - illegal and making them MONEY.

I actually am NOT too unhappy to see the gangs and drug dealers get screwed over. I've been paying 300 an oz for years because I live in a remote area of Canada - FUCK THEM!!!! hahaha
 
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