No pot for us today: Supreme Court (of Canada) rules pot laws are constitutional

[Martin]

http://www.globeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20031223.wpott1223_4/BNStory/National/

Refusing to strike down the law and effectively legalize marijuana possession, the court said Parliament has the constitutional right to punish marijuana possession ? including imposing terms of imprisonment.
"Our concern is solely with the issue of constitutionality," Mr. Justice Charles Gonthier and Mr. Justice Ian Binnie wrote for a 6-3 majority. "We conclude that it is within Parliament's legislative jurisdiction to criminalize the possession of marijuana should it choose to do so.
"Equally, it is open to Parliament to decriminalize or otherwise modify any aspect of the marijuana laws that it no longer considers to be good public policy."
...
Last week, Prime Minister Paul Martin intimated he will reintroduce a bill proposed by Jean Chrétien that would wipe out criminal penalties for those caught with small amounts of marijuana. The proposed bill would have made possession of less than 15 grams of pot a minor offence punishable by fines of $100 to $400.
At the same time, it would have maintained or increased stiff penalties for large-scale growers and traffickers. The bill died when Parliament was shut down last month to give Mr. Martin a fresh start in January.

They made the right decision, now lets home Martin doesn't take too long to pass the new legislation.

 

[xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx]

No big loss, I guess; we've established that the government can't provide "the goods" as cheaply, and with the same quality, as the private sector:

OTTAWA, Canada (AP) -- Some of the first patients to smoke Canada's government-approved marijuana say it is "disgusting" and they want their money back.

Health Canada, the federal health department, started selling marijuana in July to bring relief to patients suffering from AIDS, cancer and other diseases. The move followed a court order that patients should not be forced to get their marijuana from drug dealers on the streets.

But some of the first to buy the government's marijuana say it is no good.

"It's totally unsuitable for human consumption," said Jim Wakeford, 58, an AIDS patient in Gibsons, British Columbia.

Wakeford and Barrie Dalley, a 52-year-old Toronto man who uses marijuana to combat the nausea associated with AIDS, are returning their 1-ounce (30-gram) bags, and Dalley is demanding his money back -- about C$150 ($110) plus taxes. Wakeford is returning his unpaid bill for two bags with a written complaint.

The marijuana is being grown for Health Canada deep underground in a vacant mine section in Flin Flon, Manitoba, by Prairie Plant Systems on a contract worth about C$5.75 million ($4.2 million).

Ten patients have registered with Health Canada to buy marijuana directly from the government to alleviate their medical symptoms. Another 39 applications are pending.

No patients have complained directly to Health Canada so far, spokeswoman Krista Apse said, and the department will not accept returns or provide refunds.

Meanwhile, Vancouver inaugurated North America's first government-authorized drug-injection site Monday. The controversial government-funded project will give users injection kits and allow them to shoot up under nurse supervision.

Drug users sometimes use dirty needles and water from puddles to shoot up. Now, addicts wanting to use the new facility will be ushered into a brightly lit room lined on one side by open, mirrored booths where they can inject drugs.

After finishing, they will be taken to a "chill-out room," where they can receive counseling and peer referrals.

 

[Martin]

Originally posted by: xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx
No big loss, I guess; we've established that the government can't provide "the goods" as cheaply, and with the same quality, as the private sector:

Next time you bash Canada, do it so that it doesn't make you look like a total idiot. Knowing what the OP is talking about is a good start.

 

[xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx]

No one is bashing your country (Queen), so take off, eh.

 

[kage69]

Good thing British Columbia is still crankin out the goods, eh?



Marty, dude, what's your beef?

 

[kylebisme]

Wakeford and Barrie Dalley, a 52-year-old Toronto man who uses marijuana to combat the nausea associated with AIDS, are returning their 1-ounce (30-gram) bags, and Dalley is demanding his money back -- about C$150 ($110) plus taxes.

well the Canadian government may sell bunk weed, but at least they give you fat sacks. 1oz is only 28g.

 

[DamnDirtyApe]

Originally posted by: xxxxxJohnGaltxxxxx
No one is bashing your country (Queen), so take off, eh.

1. You took a swipe at the Canadian government in order to get in a cheap shot about governments in general.
2. The Queen has no relevance to anybody, so don't bring her into this.
3. Your usage of "eh" in writing is just a little tacky.

 

[kage69]

1. You took a swipe at the Canadian government in order to get in a cheap shot about governments in general.
2. The Queen has no relevance to anybody, so don't bring her into this.
3. Your usage of "eh" in writing is just a little tacky.

Ermmm...given the way many Canadians talk about the US, you'll just have to excuse me if I consider that making a mountian out of a mole hill. Lighten up.