Pubdate: Sun, 12 Jan 2003
Source: Halifax Herald (CN NS)
Copyright: 2003 The Halifax Herald Limited
Contact:  http://www.herald.ns.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/180
Author: Mike Patriquen

POT LAWS OUTDATED

Canada enacted legislation in 1923 to protect against a new, dangerous and 
evil drug which was thought to have the power to destroy the fabric of our 
society. Draconian sentencing laws were imposed that would imprison a 
marijuana grower or distributor for much, if not all, of his life.

These laws were kept intact until 1998, when the federal cabinet decided 
not all of the marijuana plant was dangerous and allowed the cultivation 
and distribution of what is now called hemp, without the threat of a life 
sentence. Two years later, our courts determined marijuana had great 
therapeutic value and forced our government to legalize its medical use. 
Justice Minister Martin Cauchon has now determined that recreational use is 
not dangerous or evil, and deserves the same penalty as a minor traffic 
infraction.

Cannabis now is deemed economically sound for industrial applications, 
medically beneficial and recreationally safe, yet pot production and 
distribution still carry the severe penalties enacted when cannabis was 
thought to be a threat to our entire society.

The federal government, by not supplying or allowing the supply to the 
medical and recreational pot markets, yet opening those markets up, is 
increasing the demand for a substance which can and will be met with an 
illegal supply.

The prison living unit in which I now reside houses six prisoners, three of 
us here for cannabis offences. Current federal pot policies will skew that 
ratio much higher. Our federal politicians must have the courage to admit 
the laws have been wrong for the past 80 years and end the prohibition.

Mike Patriquen

Sackville

Marijuana Party of Canada
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MAP posted-by: Beth