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The420Guy
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OTTAWA -- Canadian Alliance MP Keith Martin says a majority of
federal politicians, including Liberals, support his private-members bill
calling for the decriminalization of marijuana.
"I think the government will be open to it," Dr. Martin, a
physician, said before MPs began debating the bill yesterday.
Bill C-344 would impose a system of fines -- up to $1,000 --
rather than criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of pot.
Last month, the federal government said it will allow an open
vote on the subject, which will take place at a later date. However,
private-members bills rarely pass in the House of Commons.
Dr. Martin said about two-thirds of MPs have expressed support
for his bill, and recent polls have shown a wide majority of Canadians also
want decriminalization.
He said he expects many open minds on the Liberal benches,
especially since the federal government approved the use of medicinal
marijuana this year.
Both Justice Minister Anne McLellan and Health Minister Allan
Rock have said it's time to discuss whether Canada's drug laws are outdated.
Other countries that have adopted a similar strategy have not
seen drug use increase, Dr. Martin said, and have been able to redeploy
police resources to fight crime in other areas. CP
Newshawk: puff_tuff
Pubdate:Thursday, November 8, 2001
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Website: The Globe and Mail: Canadian, World, Politics and Business News & Analysis
Contact: letters@globeandmail.ca
Copyright: 2001, The Globe and Mail Company
Forum: https://forums.theglobeandmail.com/
federal politicians, including Liberals, support his private-members bill
calling for the decriminalization of marijuana.
"I think the government will be open to it," Dr. Martin, a
physician, said before MPs began debating the bill yesterday.
Bill C-344 would impose a system of fines -- up to $1,000 --
rather than criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of pot.
Last month, the federal government said it will allow an open
vote on the subject, which will take place at a later date. However,
private-members bills rarely pass in the House of Commons.
Dr. Martin said about two-thirds of MPs have expressed support
for his bill, and recent polls have shown a wide majority of Canadians also
want decriminalization.
He said he expects many open minds on the Liberal benches,
especially since the federal government approved the use of medicinal
marijuana this year.
Both Justice Minister Anne McLellan and Health Minister Allan
Rock have said it's time to discuss whether Canada's drug laws are outdated.
Other countries that have adopted a similar strategy have not
seen drug use increase, Dr. Martin said, and have been able to redeploy
police resources to fight crime in other areas. CP
Newshawk: puff_tuff
Pubdate:Thursday, November 8, 2001
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Website: The Globe and Mail: Canadian, World, Politics and Business News & Analysis
Contact: letters@globeandmail.ca
Copyright: 2001, The Globe and Mail Company
Forum: https://forums.theglobeandmail.com/
