Relaxed pot laws favoured by most

London Free Press (Canada) ^ | February 21, 2003 | BILL RODGERS

[MrLeRoy]

Sixty-nine per cent of Canadians favour the decriminalization of possession of small amounts of marijuana, according to an SES/ Sun Media poll.

The survey found Canadians who were teenagers during the "flower power" 1960s were the group most likely to support easing pot laws.

Among age groups, it showed 76 per cent of Canadians between the ages of 50 and 59 support decriminalization while 72 per cent of the 40 to 49 age group agree the laws against smoking dope should be relaxed.

The poll surveyed 1,000 people between Feb. 2 and 11.

There was strong support for decriminalization in every region. Only 25 per cent of those who responded to the survey opposed our marijuana possession laws going up in smoke.

"The opinions of Canadians may have been influenced by numerous media stories related to the therapeutic use of marijuana for cancer patients," said SES president Nik Nanos.

Liberal, Tory and Alliance MPs say pot shouldn't be considered a harmless recreational drug even though a Senate committee last fall recommended legalizing the smoking of pot for anyone older than 16.

Doing so would make Canada one of the most cannabis-friendly nations in the world. The committee called the present criminal laws on possession of weed outdated.

At the time, the Canadian Police Association criticized the recommendation, calling it "a back-to-school gift for drug pushers."

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon doesn't plan to make the drug legal but favours a fine instead of a prison sentence for possession of 30 grams of weed for personal use.

Toronto-area Liberal MP Dan McTeague says there needs to be a national debate on the issue.

"As if we have not had the lesson of the destruction that alcohol has reeked on families," he said. "Do we need another form of mind-bending products that are going to ruin people's lives?"

"It's wrong to go down that road," said Tory MP Elsie Wayne. "That is the worst step that Canada can make right now for the future of our young people."

Alliance Justice critic Chuck Cadman called decriminalization a confusing message for youth because the government is also telling them not to use drugs.

[MrLeRoy]

Wod_list ping

[Ol' Sparky]

Not in the United States, though, thankfully as proven by last year's elections....Liberaltarians that favor this ought to be given a one-way ticket to these left-wing nations relaxing drug laws.

[jmc813]

WOD Ping

[jmc813]

If I'm not mistaken, you favor executing drug dealers, correct?

[robertpaulsen]

See who starts fights around here?

Maybe you can ask if he favors the death penalty for drug dealers.

Executing!

[robertpaulsen]

Nevermind. Saw the post.

[headsonpikes]

Please remove me from your ping list.

Thank you.

[Wolfie]

Well, its kinda nice, I guess. But even if Canada goes through with its decrim proposal, their law would still be stricter than the laws in my State. Sorry Sparky, I'll be staying in the U.S.

[jmc813]

Nevermind. Saw the post.

Not a prob. But since you're here, I'll tell you why I brought it up. I thought of something last night regarding the capital punishment for dealers issue.

It seems to me that it would leads to cops getting murdered. Think about it, as it is now, dealers are threatened with prison. For the great majority, this does not warrant using deadly force to avoid. But if the penalty were death, what would stop them from using all possible means to prevent being caught? You know, kinda a "nothing to lose anyway" scenario.

[jmc813]

Some thoughts for your consideration in post 10.

[dennisw]

Meaningless since you want to see hard drugs legalized too. I would never legalize pot. That's for surrender monkeys and nation wreckers. I would exile dealers for 5- 10 years or life.......

...    Ergo supplies dwindle. Pot is very bad for young brains such as teenagers. But then what do you care.

[dennisw]

And that article is about Canada, a pussy country that can't field a credible military.

[unspun]

Harry Browne's "wedge issue" --and the seminar posters pry way....
Keep your eyes on the pries!

[cinFLA]

To all: George Soros and his buddies are spending millions in their effort to normalize society to the use of drugs. They say that since the public does NOT support drug legalization, they have to use the strategy of incrementalization. Start with the "medical marijuana" sham and pour money into building websites, buying advertising and spamming the forums.

[Qwerty]

Using incrimentalization to end the WO(Americans)D sounds like a good idea to me.

We try, after all, to maintain a Free Republic.

[robertpaulsen]

"I thought of something last night regarding the capital punishment for dealers issue."

I assume you're referring to the posted article where the police chief called for capital punishment. If you read the article, you'll note that he qualified that statement up front -- he was referring to the execution of international drug dealers, the "drug barons".

I have no idea of his stance on the neighborhood pusher.

[jmc813]

Meaningless since you want to see hard drugs legalized too.

No I don't. What makes you think that? I think you may be mixing me up with another FReeper.

[dennisw]

No I don't. What makes you think that? I think you may be mixing me up with another FReeper.

So do you make common cause with those who want to legalize all illegal drugs including heroin and meth? Like Mr. Leroy? If you have to choose between legalizing all drugs or none where do you stand?

[jmc813]

So do you make common cause with those who want to legalize all illegal drugs including heroin and meth? Like Mr. Leroy?

I'll assume you support gun rights. There is an organization known as the Pink Pistols which is a group of gays who are pro-second amendment. Going by your reasoning, does this make you gay?

If you have to choose between legalizing all drugs or none where do you stand?

Tough call, but I suppose I'd be on the side of legalizing 'em all. Luckily, that's not the case. My problem is with the Federal involvement in the WOD. I think each state should set their owmn policies. In my idea of the ideal state, pot would be legal, harder stuff wouldn't be.