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Up in smoke? Canada's marijuana law and the debate over decriminalization May 2003 http://www.cbc.ca/news/indepth/background/marijuana_legalize.html Ever since marijuana was first banned in Canada under the 1923 Opium and Drug Act, dissenters have called the criminal penalties set for possession of the drug too harsh. The debate over recreational use rages on In between, there are people who favour what's known as decriminalization. They want to keep the rules but lower the penalties from criminal to a civil level, like getting a traffic ticket - no criminal record would be kept. Scientific evidence and opinion on marijuana, including: -Marijuana is "not a gateway" to harder drugs, such as cocaine and heroine -Fewer than 10 per cent of users become addicted -A lot of public money is spent on law enforcement, even though public policies don't seem to discourage use of drug Marijuana is less harmful than alcohol and should be governed by the same sort of regulations. "Scientific evidence overwhelmingly indicates that cannabis is substantially less harmful than alcohol and should be treated not as a criminal issue but as a social and public health issue." Liberalization: those in favour … He said young people caught with marijuana shouldn't have to carry the stigma of a criminal record for life. Both the NDP and Bloc Québécois favour decriminalization as well. Several other groups call the penalties, which could include a jail term of up to five years, too harsh. The Canadian Medical Association backed that position in an editorial pointing out that a criminal record effectively bars young people from getting jobs and opportunities, including getting into medical school. It called the health effects of moderate use "minimal." The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police has also advocated decriminalization, saying prosecuting people for small amounts ties up scarce resources. The Issue - Decriminalization of Marijuana in Canada 01/07/03 http://www.canadaonline.about.com/library/issues/blimj.htm Status of Decriminalization of Marijuana in Canada The Committee said that marijuana is not a gateway drug and should be treated more like tobacco or alcohol than like harder drugs. The House committee said that while marijuana is unhealthy, the current criminal penalties for possession and use of small amounts of cannabis are disproportionately harsh. Most resources are now directed at law enforcement, when they could be better spent on the public health and education aspects of marijuana use and addiction. Most of those convicted of possession of marijuana do not go to jail, but do receive a criminal record.
Approximate Word count = 1595
Approximate Pages = 6.4
(250 words per page double spaced)
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