TORONTO - The Supreme Court of Canada upheld the country's laws against marijuana possession Tuesday, even as Prime Minister Paul Martin presses to eliminate jail sentences for people caught with small amounts of the drug.
In a 6-3 decision, the justices ruled that possession of marijuana would remain a criminal offense for now. In a separate, unanimous decision, it found that trafficking of the drug was illegal.
The ruling does not preclude Martin from going ahead with a proposed bill that would soften penalties. President Bush has expressed concerns over the bill, fearing it could encourage drug smuggling along the border.
The court ruling prompted praise from law enforcement groups but disappointment from proponents of marijuana legalization.
Martin is a 65 year-old fart that thinks he is wonderful. They want to introduce what they call a decriminalization bill, that would turn people that use laughing grass into cash cows while imposing severe penalties for people that cultivate. The Liberal Party has had many scandals of corruption that hurt them enought. Now that Martin wants to impose American penalties on Canadians, he is going to get done in.
The elections will come probably in early spring. Look for the Liberals to take a thrashing. The NDP has come out calling for the legalization of laughing grass and they should see an increase in those elected to office.
For far too long our governments have been deferring controversial issues to the courts. This is a political issue, not a legal one, and it should be up to Parliament to deal with it.
Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators
Important Notices: By participating on this discussion
board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules
page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the
opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent
the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.