Canada finally putting forward marijuana decriminalization legislation next week

About time:

Ottawa — The federal government is expected to unveil legislation next week aimed at decriminalizing possession of marijuana in amounts below 15 grams, The Globe and Mail has learned.

Federal sources confirmed yesterday that the government plans to unveil the law late next week, perhaps Thursday. The proposals would also include a new strategy designed by Health Canada to discourage the use of drugs.

Sources said that under the new law, individuals found with less than 15 grams would be ticketed and fined under the federal Contraventions Act.

Full Text

15 grams is a half ounce, for the Americans in the audience.

I'm starting a tour bus to Toronto, if anyone's interested. I'm going to paint it just like the Mystery Machine...it's gonna be so rad.

Good news, I guess. I don't live in Canada. :/

I don't really get the message they're trying to give here, though: "We're gonna let you smoke pot, cuz we've finally realized that it's not such a bad thing - heck, it may even be healthier than alcohol - but we're gonna have take some money from ya if we catch you doing it, cuz we're still a bunch of dicks at heart." :confused: That seems a bit ambiguous.

And then smoking it is only slightly shunned upon, but a necessary step in the act of smoking it - the act of buying and selling it - is still right up there with raping your little sister (OK, I exaggerated a bit).

I understand what they're trying to do here, it just seems a little...silly.

In other news, Canada no longer "sucks" in the eyes of suburban youths. I wonder if there is going to be a pot-head exodus?

Quote:

---

Originally posted by OmniGear
Good news, I guess. I don't live in Canada. :/

I don't really get the message they're trying to give here, though: "We're gonna let you smoke pot, cuz we've finally realized that it's not such a bad thing - heck, it may even be healthier than alcohol - but we're gonna have take some money from ya if we catch you doing it, cuz we're still a bunch of dicks at heart." :confused: That seems a bit ambiguous.

And then smoking it is only slightly shunned upon, but a necessary step in the act of smoking it - the act of buying and selling it - is still right up there with raping your little sister (OK, I exaggerated a bit).

---

Basically, it's still cartels and gangs at the top of most weed supply chains, so I don't have a problem with the government not letting them off the hook. It's just a sensible realization that punishing the casual user hasn't accomplished jack in 80 years. They may as well make money for roads, schools and hospitals rather than wasting public cash on court time for otherwise normal people who passed a joint around at a barbeque. That's not really the government being a dick.

And as for you not living in Canada, it may not mean anything now, but if this experiment works well up here, it'll be awfully difficult for US politicians to tell people the same can't be done down there.

Well said Strider, so another reason to go to Canada, buy some drugs... wait I don't do drugs.

/me starts packing and moves to canada.

If this works well it is going to be hard for american polticians to ignore it.

If this works in America Jr., then its reasonable to assume that it'll happen in the US as well.

I find it amusing how there is an anti-tobacco yet a pro pot movement in the Western world today. Just wait until Americans start suing "Big Pot" companies for lung problems and/or pot-induces auto accidents.

"Its not my fault I ran over those people! It was the MJ that made me do it! Why would I read a warning label?"


Whatever. Good luck, my Canadian chums!

cool,now most people will know canada not as the place to go up to, get drunk at 18,and come back, but now the place to get drunk and baked:D

Is get drunk at 19.. but almost just as easy at 18.:evil:

Quote:

---

Originally posted by StriderKyo
Basically, it's still cartels and gangs at the top of most weed supply chains, so I don't have a problem with the government not letting them off the hook. It's just a sensible realization that punishing the casual user hasn't accomplished jack in 80 years. They may as well make money for roads, schools and hospitals rather than wasting public cash on court time for otherwise normal people who passed a joint around at a barbeque. That's not really the government being a dick.

---

I suppose. But that means my friend who buys a few ounces to sell, so he can make a little extra money for college let's say, gets lumped in the same jail cell with those gangs and cartels? I can see why the government would wanna nab these gang members and whatnot if they're involved in other stuff, but to say that it's pretty much OK to smoke it but not OK to sell it, and then lock up some innocent kid who's merely providing a necessary service just doesn't sound totally right.

Like I said, I understand what they're trying to do here, and it's a step in the right direction, but I can't look at this and not see flaws.