The use of cannabis is widespread and there is
intermittent talk from the government of Canada
regarding "decriminalizing," but not about legalizing, it.
Ottawa -- Some patients are spurning a new batch
of government-certified marijuana, dismissing
Health Canada claims that it's a stronger,
better quality smoke.
Decriminalizing marijuana in Canada
could provide a C$2 billion ($1.5 billion)
tax windfall, according to a study
by a right-wing think-tank,
released on Wednesday.
Protestor Dianne Bruce smokes a joint
as she carries around her own
marijuana plant during a rally
in support of the legalization of pot,
in Ottawa, June 5, 2004.
Bruce is one of only 800 Canadians
who are legally permitted to cultivate
and possess the drug for
medicinal purposes.
Alison Myrden has Multiple Sclerosis.
Her condition causes her constant pain,
bladder problems and leg spasms.
The drugs prescribed for her condition
render her comatose.
Instead, Alison chooses medical marijuana.
Come spend a day with her and find out why.
Toronto -- An Ontario Court of Appeal judge
declined to suspend a lower court decision
that found there is no law
against marijuana possession in the province,
despite the federal Justice Department's claim
that the ruling has led to chaos and uncertainty.
Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell says the proposed
federal legislation to decriminalize possession
of small amounts of marijuana doesn't go far enough.
The mayor says he wants to see the
outright legalization of pot.
Rex Murphy's Introduction
To The May 18, 2003 Program:
"Should marijuana use be decriminalized?"
The marijuana debate is on again.
Arguments over whether marijuana possession
or use should be decriminalized have been around a long time.
Up 'til this week it looked like legislation,
treating one part of this debate - the decriminalization
of the possession of a certain amount, up
to 30 grams - was to be introduced in the House of Commons.
That has been delayed and now such legislation
will not be introduced until May 26th of this year at this earliest.
Toronto and Ottawa -- Canada has no laws
prohibiting marijuana possession,
an Ontario Superior Court judge
said yesterday in a ruling that will
be binding on judges in the province
and may soon be picked up
across the country.
Ottawa is appealing a ruling that found
Canada's marijuana-possession laws
are no longer valid.
In a notice filed Friday, the Crown says
it will try to show an Ontario judge erred
when he concluded that a 16-year-old broke
no laws when he was caught carrying five grams
of marijuana this spring.
Windsor, Ont. — An Ontario Court judge threw out
a marijuana charge against a 16-year-old boy
Thursday in a decision lawyers say could soon
spell the end of Canada's prohibition
on possessing small amounts of pot.
Quebec Court Judge Gilles Cadieux,
who had postponed making a decision
on the case a number of times,
said the absence of a legal source
of marijuana takes away
the right to life and liberty.
Justice Minister Martin Cauchon said Monday
he wants to take steps to decriminalize marijuana
within the next four months.
A Commons committee is due to release a report
on Thursday calling for the government to relax
current marijuana laws and possibly even allow
Canadians to grow marijuana for personal use.
The Canadian government has made it legal
for terminally ill patients and those
with chronic conditions to use marijuana
to relieve their symptoms.
New facility for legal marijuana
set up in old Manitoba mine
August 2, 2001
Canadian Health Minister Allan Rock, right,
and Brent Zettl, president
and CEO of Prarie Plant Systems
inspect a crop of marijuana
Thursday in the Trout Lake mine
deep Flin Flon, Manitoba.
