Canada considers easing penalty for possession of pot
How many times do I have to tell you, children? There's a time and a place for that, and it's called COLLEGE!!
- Chef, "South Park"
It would be easy to laugh off the Canadian approach, but a closer examination reveals that this plan really does make sense. American policymakers are so heavily invested in their zero-tolerance South Park approach to drugs ("Drugs are bad, mmmkay??") that it is difficult for them to admit or even recognize that there just might be a better, perhaps more effective approach.
TORONTO -- Canada proposed a new marijuana law Tuesday that would eliminate a criminal record for possession of small amounts while spending millions to spread an anti-pot message.
U.S. officials have warned the move could lead to tighter border security to prevent more Canadian-grown marijuana from entering the country.
Under the measure introduced in Parliament, getting caught with 15 grams -- about half an ounce -- or less of marijuana would bring a citation akin to a traffic ticket, not a criminal record.
While possession of marijuana would remain illegal, the bill is intended to prevent young people from getting saddled with a lifelong criminal record.
Those under 18 years old could face fines of up to $182 for minor possession; adults could be fined the equivalent of $292.
At the same time, the maximum sentence for illegal growers would be increased to 14 years in prison from the current seven, while trafficking would remain punishable by up to life in prison.
Justice Minister Martin Cauchon said the law includes an education, research and treatment program to persuade young people not to use drugs. The government intends to spend $179 million on the program.
No, Mounties won't be passing out joints to Americans who cross into Canada, but it's nice to see that Canadian policymakers are willing to take a different approach to solving the problem.
Is it really necessary to brand those who experiment with marijuana as criminals for life? Well, if you're in Chairman Ashcroft's Justice Department, you probably think so, and you're probably thinking that marijuana users should be summarily executed. It's nice to see that there is at least one government in the Northern Hemisphere willing to try a new approach.
