Posted on 03/04/2005 4:15:11 PM PST by Clive
Pot grow ops a 'scourge': McLellan
OTTAWA (CP) -- Marijuana production is a violent, organized scourge that judges should combat with serious sentences, says Justice Minister Anne McLellan.
All of society bears responsibility for recognizing the national boom in grow operations that are typically backed by organized crime, McLellan said Friday.
Judges who don't penalize traffickers accordingly should be called to account, she said, one day after four Mounties were killed during a raid on an Alberta grow op that went horribly wrong.
"I would say that all of us -- including the judiciary -- need to understand what is at stake here. And I think yesterday was a horrible and tragic reminder."
Judges who don't put major producers behind bars will have to offer reasons under proposed legislation now before Parliament that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of pot, McLellan said.
"Where there are aggravating circumstances and there is no jail time, you explain to the people who live in your community, that you serve, you explain to them why you did not believe jail time was appropriate in light of aggravating circumstances."
McLellan denied that she believes judges have been too soft on pot growers -- a common police complaint.
"I'm not saying that. As a society we all bear responsibility to take this particular crime very seriously."
McLellan spoke at the Liberal policy convention where delegates will debate a resolution -- from the Alberta wing of the party -- to legalize pot. She dismissed any chance that the minority government will move in that direction.
"This government does not support the legalization of marijuana. We've been quite clear about that."
You may consider any herb you partake of as a god, if you
so like, but I shall follow the book and consider them
gifts from God. It is important to take in all of the book, the word, the armour.
Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
I seek Peace,
may peace be with you.
End the war on herb!
A house that is used to grow cannabis is effectively destroyed. . . huh? explain that to me please.
No, I am not stoned, just trying to understand your statements.
Everything can be used as a gift from God, perhaps especially your mind.
Not all things globally are for ingestion or smoking because it is green.
You are welcome to prove my points by going out and smoking lots of poisons and having your family report your demise back to us.
Your argument to do the unethical and unsafe things with non-controlled drugs is equally as out there as my statement about (Gee go smoke some poison and see what happens).
This is a conservative site, so more people are educated, well read and up to speed here than other venues you might post at. We know illegal self medicating is wrong and we would be into doing more Conservative things like ...
Investment in ourselves and families.
Being the best we can be.
We are not into drugs as the illegal drug warriors of the libertarian party and other old hippies are IMO.
If that's the case, then a comparison to Prohibition is not fair.
Imagine if during Prohibition we legalized just beer. Or wine. Would that have had any affect on organized crime?
In your scenario, we'll end up with legal marijuana (and all the ills that will come with that), and we'll still have the criminals dealing whatever remains illegal.
Marijuana only accounts for about 20% of what Americans spend on illegal recreational drugs. Legalizing cocaine and methamphetamine would have a much bigger impact on the criminals.
If that were the goal.
Baloney.
Alcohol consumption was at its lowest at the start of Prohibition. Every year after that it increased. Prohibition "failed" because the people, as it turned out, didn't really want it.
That is not the case with drugs. The latest example of which I'm aware was the marijuana legalization attempt on the Alaskan November, 2004 ballot (where it's already legal to consume at home).
If failed by a wide margin.
You do agree that getting rid of the criminal element means the legalization of all drugs, including prescription drugs, don't you?
You realize that any drug which remains illegal will continue to be sold by the criminal element, correct?
Are you, therefore, calling for the legalization of all drugs?
The failure of a legalization initiative does not imply success of the War On Drugs ... strike two.
I was basically comparing pot to alcohol and not to other street drugs. In my opinion the social costs and the criminal behavior that are a direct result of cocaine and meth use justify those substances being illegal. We as a society have a legitimate concern with substances which are known to cause criminal behavior or which put a disproportianate burden on society. And yes I know alcohol meets those criteria in some instances- which is why it is regulated. But that applies to a minority of users. I believe the same of pot smokers. But coke( especially in base form) and meth are just way too dangerous to allow their legalization.
No FReepers use the drugs alcohol or tobacco?
I am not sure why I was included in the statement your war on drugs. If you look at my posts you will see I favor legalization or at least decriminalization of marijuana. I do not favor legalizing all street drugs, though the civil liberties compromised or downright sacrificed in the war on drugs is indeed a major concern.
Didn't mean to imply anything...as you can see, I pinged PaxMacian and Know your rights, both somewhat in favor of legalization.
No offense intended.
Of course they do mrleroy, but do they have to flood the board and obsess on the subject?
This from the master of comparing apples and oranges. You're funny.
"The failure of a legalization initiative does not imply success of the War On Drugs"
It, by itself, may not. But for sure, it doesn't imply failure as you would have us believe.
The reason that it's a violent, organized scourge is precisely because it's illegal. Legalize it and the profit disappears. Users will grow it at home for free. The violent types won't have any reason to continue operations.
I seriously think you have the hots for Know Your Rights.
The great majority of freepers, including Jim Robinson disagree with the Federal Drug War. It's the conservative way.
It's an amoral libertarian way.
Are you coming on to me?
Would you kindly explain how trying to be an Constitutional absolutionist is amoral?
I already have a FR girlfriend as well as a real one.
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