Pubdate: Wed, 18 Jun 2003
Source: Central Michigan Life (MI Edu)
Website: http://www.cm-life.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2003/06/18/3eefdaba66564
Copyright: 2003 Central Michigan LIFE
Contact:  http://www.cm-life.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2808
Author: Guest Column, Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service

CANADA HAS BIGGER PROBLEMS THAN MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION'

Canada's plans to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of 
marijuana have enflamed the Bush administration's drug enforcement team, 
which believes there will be a considerable impact on this side of the 
border. It's hard to see what all the fuss is about.

Canada does not plan to make marijuana legal. It is only trying to moderate 
its response to the offense of illegal possession of the drug. Simple 
possession of marijuana can bring warnings in some areas of Canada, but a 
criminal conviction and jail time in other areas. Prime Minister Jean 
Chretien is urging the House of Commons, which his party dominates, to 
update and standardize the country's pot laws to reduce penalties for small 
amounts of marijuana, but increase them for growers, sellers and smugglers.

The proposal would reduce penalties for possession of up to 15 grams -- 
about 20 cigarettes -- to a fine of up to $180 for youths and $290 for 
adults. However, maximum sentences for growers would double to 14 years. 
Fines for possession by intoxicated drivers would increase and the 
government would spend about $150 million on an anti-drug educational campaign.

Modest as these changes are, White House drug czar Vernon J. Walters warns 
that, as a result, the United States will be flooded with waves of 
Canadian-grown grass. Drug Enforcement Administration officials warn of 
lengthy delays at the border as customs officials try to stop the deluge.

Oh, Canada. First came disputes over the Iraq war, then SARS fears, then 
beef safety in light of mad cow disease. And, now, pot.

Ironically, Canada is following this country's example. Since the 1970s, 12 
U.S. states (as well as some European countries) have removed criminal 
penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Most of the marijuana consumed by Americans is produced by Americans, often 
in closets and basements far from any border patrols. Or it is smuggled in 
from Latin America, according to the Justice Department's latest National 
Drug Threat Assessment.

Seizures of Canadian marijuana at the border have increased dramatically, 
from 813 pounds in 1998 to more than 20,000 pounds last year. The increase 
is likely attributed to heightened border surveillance in the wake of the 
Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. It's difficult to see how enhanced penalties 
for cultivation of marijuana in Canada will breed more smuggling to the 
U.S. For that matter, it's unlikely that reduced penalties for possession 
will promote that, either. Some of the biggest pot-exporting states, such 
as Kentucky and Tennessee, according to federal data, also have some of the 
toughest anti-marijuana laws.

Tougher pot laws have saddled more young people with criminal records, but 
have not necessarily produced a decline in marijuana traffic in this 
country. In an era of terrorism, mad cows and SARS, the United States need 
not waste its resources blowing smoke over how Canada pinches its 
small-time pot users. Both countries have bigger challenges to meet.
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