Pubdate: Mon, 04 Aug 2003
Source: Ottawa Hill Times (CN ON)
Contact:  http://www.thehilltimes.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/192
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

PARLIAMENT'S VIEW OF POT OVER THE YEARS

* 1923 - Cannabis added to the Schedule of prohibited drugs of the Opium 
and Narcotic Drug Act.

* 1973 - Final Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Non-Medical Use 
of Drugs (the Le Dain Commission). The report recommended decriminalization 
of personal use of marijuana.

* 1996 - The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act replaces the Narcotic 
Control Act and Parts III and IV of the Food and Drugs Act which created a 
summary conviction offence of possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana 
or one gram or less of cannabis resin.

* September 2002 - the Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs releases 
its report which recommends the legalization of small amounts of cannabis.

* December 2002 - the House of Commons Special Committee on Non-Medical Use 
of Drugs releases its report which recommends the decriminalization of 
possession of not more than 30 grams of cannabis for personal use.

* May 27, 2003 - Justice Minister Martin Cauchon introduces Cannabis Reform 
Bill (Bill C-38) in the House of Commons. Under Bill C-38, cannabis 
possession would remain illegal but those convicted of possessing 15 grams 
or less of marijuana or one gram or less of cannabis resin would face 
alternative penalties of a fine instead of a criminal conviction or the 
possibility of a jail term.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom