Pubdate: Fri, 12 Mar 2004
Source: Langley Advance (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.langleyadvance.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1248
Author: Matthew Hulett
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04.n365.a10.html

MARIJUANA: HISTORY CONFUSING WHITE

Dear Editor,

MP Randy White appears to be a tad confused about the history of the
formation of the current marijuana decriminalization bill [White slams
Liberal pot laws, Mar. 2, Langley Advance News]. It had already been
revised and toughened twice before the current rejected proposals were
made.

It is based in the recommendations of the Senate and the Commons
reports on marijuana policy, one of which recommended full
legalization, and the other decriminalization.

A bill intended to be more reasonable to Canadians who are caught in
their youth consuming marijuana, a bill intended to relieve them of a
life-long criminal record, it was never meant to be an amplification
of Canada's emerging new Drug War. It has in part become that because
of two rounds of incorporated compromises.

One round lowered the personal possession threshold from 30 grams to
15 grams, and the second toughened sentences for most commercial
marijuana cultivators.

It certainly makes sense to lower penalties for Canadians who
cultivate three or fewer plants. It will steer them away from black
street market activities.

Of course, some folks, in their intolerant zeal, are incapable of
compromise and will just keep pushing for what they want, regardless
of the scholarly evidence.

Perhaps MP White should read the Senate and Commons marijuana policy
reports, one of which he is a signatory to.

And, he should observe Canadian poll results of attitudes towards
cannabis in Canada. At the moment, he is quite out of step with the
growing social acceptance of casual marijuana consumption.

Surely your health care and educational systems could put these
resources to better use than attempting to cage people who grow one to
three pot plants in the privacy of their own homes.

Marijuana is here to stay; get used to it.

Matthew Hulett

Brick, N.J., USA
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin