Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Eashoa' M'sheekha who wrote (97244)	5/2/2003 12:05:16 PM
From: Eashoa' M'sheekha	Respond to of 281500

Chretien to Propose Bill on Marijuana Associated Press OTTAWA -Don't light up yet, Prime Minister Jean Chretien cautions, but soon his government will propose a bill to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana in Canada. Chretien drew applause, and even a couple of joyful whoops, on Tuesday night when he told a fundraising dinner for his Liberal Party that the legislation was coming. The goal, he said, is to prevent young people who smoke a joint from getting a criminal record for the rest of their lives. The law would not legalize marijuana, but would make possessing less than an ounce (28 grams) an offense similar to a traffic violation, he said. "Don't start to smoke yet," Chretien said. "We're not legalizing it, we're decriminalizing." His justice minister, Martin Cauchon, said last year that decriminalizing marijuana possession was a legislative goal for 2003. Two Parliament committees have recommended relaxing marijuana laws, and some Canadian judges have thrown out possession charges because of uncertainty over the federal law. Chretien said decriminalizing marijuana possession would come with a federal anti-drug education program, as called for by the Parliament committees. The penalty would be a fine, just like a traffic ticket. "So you will have another ticket, for losing your senses, or something like that," he said. Across the border, U.S. officials who impose a zero-tolerance policy for marijuana dislike the Canadian intentions. John Walters, director of the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy, has said that liberalizing laws will boost drug use and bring more pot into the United States. He also said the United States would be forced to combat the increased flow of drugs. In 2001, Canada implemented a medical marijuana program that allows some patients to possess and grow pot. Eight U.S. states have taken some kind of step toward permitting the medicinal use of marijuana. The U.S. Supreme Court, however, has ruled there is no exception in federal law for people to use marijuana, so even those with tolerant state laws could face arrest if they do. ON THE NET Canadian site advocating marijuana culture: www.cannabisculture.com U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration at www.usdoj.gov/dea/