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 - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin