Pubdate: Fri, 18 Sep 2009
Source: Victoria News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Black Press
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/wOQxPi2c
Website: http://www.vicnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1267
Author: Stephanie Dahl

MANDATORY SENTENCING A STEP BACKWARDS

Mandatory minimum sentences for drug crimes have flooded the U.S.
prison system.

Putting one out of every 100 people in jail is draining the economy,
tearing families apart and not helping Americans win their "war on
drugs."

Canadians should learn from this terrible example, not follow the same
tragic path.

Unfortunately, Bill C-15 is one step away from becoming law. It
slipped through the House of Commons with little media coverage. It is
now up for a third reading in the Senate.

This bill allows stricter penalties for a variety of drug crimes,
including six months minimum in jail for growing one cannabis plant.

We need to stop this ridiculous piece of legislation.

I urge everyone to research the consequences of mandatory minimum
sentences for drug crimes in the U.S.

Canada needs to be researching enlightened drug policy including
medical marijuana, not locking up low-level dealers and cannabis
cultivators.

Stephanie Dahl,

International Hempology 101 Society,

Victoria
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake