Canada & United States Relations If We Legalize Marijuana ?

[Chad Sexington]

Rob Roy is right. I would also like to add that the Green Party is like a watermelon, they may be green on the outside but they are liberal red on the inside.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

Why give ANY party "power" over decisions idividuals should be making? Given "power" over others, any party will fail as the shine of the
ring of power will overcome them. There is no substitute for endorsing IDEAS rather than saviors or particular political parties.

Nice flag on the avatar. Peace.

Interesting thought

I agree with this to an extent

The problem is that people in power right now have no interest in changing their views on an issue as stigmatized as marijuana

It would seem logical then, that voting people in who share your views is probably the most time efficient course of action

 

[Spuzzum]

We tried before.. twice. Both times the US threatens...

Failed decriminalization bills (2002, 2004)

On May 27, 2002, the Liberal Party of Canada introduced a bill that would have decriminalized small amounts of cannabis. Possession of 15 grams or less would have been punishable only with a fine, and those possessing between 15 and 30 grams would be either ticketed or arrested for criminal charges at the officer's discretion. Personal cultivation of up to 7 plants would have also become a summary offence, while the punishment for cultivation in larger amounts would have been more severe. The bill looked likely to pass into law, but it died when Parliament prorogued. The bill's death was largely due to the United States Drug Enforcement Agency, as they had made various threats to Canadian politicians (such as closing the Canadian-American border so as to control the smuggling of cannabis). An identical bill was introduced in November 2004, which also died when the 2006 election was called. After the Conservative victory, the new government did not resurrect this bill.[8]

[8] CTV.ca | Harper's crime agenda getting mixed reviews

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_...ed_decriminalization_bills_.282002.2C_2004.29

Harper's crime agenda getting mixed reviews

CTV.ca News Staff
Date: Mon. Apr. 3 2006 11:19 PM ET

Prime Minister Stephen Harper outlined his crime agenda today, vowing to scrap the marijuana legislation and bring in tougher sentences.

In a speech to the Canadian Professional Police Association, Harper was applauded for a pledge to bring in tougher sentences for gun crimes and drug offences.

Police were also receptive to his plans to do away with mandatory supervision, repeal the faint hope clause and end the practice of releasing most convicts after two-thirds of their sentences.

"We are going to hold criminals to account,'' Harper.

"This government will send a strong message to criminals: if you do a serious crime, you're going to start doing serious time.''

However, Tony Cannavino, the president of the police association, is opposed to scrapping the gun registry.

"I think there's very important reasons to maintain this gun registry ,'' Cannavino told reporters Monday. "It's an important tool for our police officers. We have over 5,000 queries (to the registry) every day.''

In his speech, Harper said he would reinvest the savings from abolishing the registry toward the hiring of more police officers.

Justice Minister Vic Toews said the gun registry has nothing to do with getting tough on crime.

"The way to get guns off the streets is putting people in prison who actually use guns for illegal purposes," said Toews.

Marijuana bill

Also today, Harper said the new Conservative government will scrap draft legislation which would have decriminalized the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

"We will not be reintroducing the Liberal government's marijuana decriminalization legislation," he said.

Canadian police were strongly opposed to the Liberal bill, which would see people found with small amounts of marijuana given a fine rather than a criminal record.

The Liberal bill was also harshly criticized in the United States by legislators who said it would encourage the already booming trade in pot.

Alan Young, a law professor at York University and marijuana-legalization activist, said it seems that Harper is trying to mend fences in the U.S.

"I think there's enormous pressure from the United States and I think Stephen Harper wants to mend fences with George Bush, and is quite willing to give up this issue," Young told CTV Newsnet.

Young also said he doesn't believe criminal laws will have any impact on consumption.

"People don't really look to the criminal law to give them guidance as to what they do with their body. They look to their peers. They look to their own decisions as how they want to live their lives

"The law has really had an insignificant effect on consumption patterns."

Some experts estimate the value of Canada's pot business trade at around $10 billion Cdn.

Crime is one of five key priorities outlined by the Conservative government. The other four include government accountability, health care, tax cuts and child care.

All five are expected to be outlined in the Speech from the Throne, which will be delivered Tuesday by Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean.

With files from The Canadian Press

http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20060403/marijuana_crime_harper_060403/



If you've ever watched "The Union", our former mayor here in Vancouver Larry Campbell, whose also an ex RCMP drug squad member and Vancouver's former head coroner, was talking about how [former] US drug czar John Walters, was threatening to shut down the border if we legalized. Campbell scoffed, and basically told him, that if they shut down our border, then California's going to be dry and in the dark. We won't ship oil, water, or electricity.

It would never come to that, but funny just the same to hear it from his mouth.

But regardless if they shut the border or not.. they'd label us as a Drug Nation in the UN. That means trade sanctions. Shit.. even Holland's not immune to the US.. they're the ones who are pressuring Holland to make it so only local residents can go to the coffee shops. They don't like the idea of their citizens going on a "toker's holiday".

 

[canuckgrow]

The problem in both countries is that politicians in power or opposition have just been around too long.....
What we need is a 1 yr term limit for everything at all 3 levels of government.....Senators, congressman, Prime Minister, President, Mayors, Council Members.Maybe then we could get rid of the current batch of miscreants who are so ingrained with corruption it isn't even seen by them as corruption anymore, Just normal course of business and or "the way things are" . Government is not for the people it is for the Government....PERIOD. That is why it continues to grow at an alarming rate. Needing more and more power to keep the big government machine rolling forward.....More government aids, guards, secretaries, military, Ect.. Ect... Oh and while we are at it lets start punishing these corrupt individuals, Parties, Corporations. Instead of the current system of ignore, sweep, deny that we are stuck with now........When you start to think about how many people are actually associated with the government and whose livelihoods directly rely on it continuing to grow and become more powerful....That is when I get scared and just kinda give up on the whole mess I mean its obvious that a whole boatload of people just want it to stay the same, oh and guess what!!!!! those people are in charge and are the ones who actually can change things rather quikly......As a citizen of earth I feel it is my responsibility and duty to "Stick it to Da Man" whenever and wherever I can....Fuck you corrupt government whore infested with all the disgusting stuff on earth you will get as little out of me as I can possibly get away with.....WoW I'm pretty angry this morning...ima gone to smoke a bowl

 

[canuckgrow]

Why give ANY party "power" over decisions idividuals should be making? Given "power" over others, any party will fail as the shine of the
ring of power will overcome them. There is no substitute for endorsing IDEAS rather than saviors or particular political parties.

Nice flag on the avatar. Peace.

Yeah its awesome and all mine....Feel free to put your cursor on it though.....If its like mine its the little hand with the forefinger and well....You get my point

 

[Rob Roy]

Interesting thought

I agree with this to an extent

The problem is that people in power right now have no interest in changing their views on an issue as stigmatized as marijuana

It would seem logical then, that voting people in who share your views is probably the most time efficient course of action

We could start to disarm people that seek power over others by nullifying bad laws learn about that here -
http://nhjury.com/

Peace.