Canada Moves to Relax Pot Laws.

[willy_ph]

Looks like the Canadian government is beginning to take concrete steps towards the decriminalization of marijuana. The proposed law increases penalties for individuals that operate grow operations from 7 to 14 years in prison, while keeping the penalty for people convicted of trafficking the same: a life sentence (25 years) Additionally, possession of up to 15 grams of marijuana would call for a fine of $250 if one is a youth, or $400 if one is an adult.

The new laws would provide more money for police to search fore grow operations, as well as money for education and rehabilitation services.

The Toronto Star Article
CBC Article

[TheBurningCat]

anyone read high society by ben elton. Thats a good idea.

[M_Six]

Sounds like a plan. Crack down on the supply and raise money from the users to do it. Of course the key here will be "enthusiastic" pursuit of the user-supplied funds.

[osprey4]

In related news, Nabisco has announced Oreo production will begin ramping up to meet heavy demand from the Canadian market.

[M_Six]

Well sure, after they ban Oreos in California, Nabisco has to find another market.

Nice how everything falls into place, eh? Gotta love capitalism.

[SeanC]

Yep... I can't believe the government I elected in is doing this... Sigh. For medical reasons sure but in general?? You're guaranteeing that there will be more pot smokers. Sigh...

I am not pleased with this.

Sean

[Telexen]

Ridiculous...it still numbs your senses...it's like sending out super-drunk drivers

[ShawnD1]

Originally posted by willy_ph
possession of up to 15 grams of marijuana would call for a fine of $250 if one is a youth, or $400 if one is an adult.

Are you sure about that? I was watching Canada Tonight just 1 hour ago and they said the fine for adults was $150, fine for kids was $100.

canada.com hasn't updated their website yet, it still says to watch TV. I'll post the link to the article when they update it.

Originally posted by Telexen
Ridiculous...it still numbs your senses...it's like sending out super-drunk drivers

Actually that is not true. Several university studies have shown that stoned drivers are SAFER drivers. Reasons:
1. They drive the speed limit if not slower.
2. They are significantly less agressive and don't change lanes nearly as much.
3. They tend not to lose focus on what they should be doing - driving.

I rode with a stoned driver once and he was focused on the road like I have never seen before. It was late at night so my friend (another passenger) just yelled out "LOOK OUT FOR THAT CAR" even though no car in sight and the stoned guy driving just slammed on the breaks. I actually hit my head against the front passenger seat because he hit the breaks so hard... and so suddenly; he actually had 1 foot hovering over the break lol.

[willy_ph]

Gah, nevermind the steep fine. That was only with "aggravating factors".

• Possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana: a fine of $150 for an adult, $100 for a youth
• Possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana or one gram or less of cannabis resin where aggravating factors exist: a fine of $400 for an adult and $250 for a youth.

My bad.

[whargoul]

I don't see why it should be treated different than any drug/alocohol on the road. The I guess the signs of inpairment are less obvious.

I don't see it any more dangerous than alcohol or cigarretes. It's easily possible to drink yourself to death. And cigarettes kill how many more people every year than even hard drugs?