Canada Inches Towards Decriminalizing Marijuana June 4, 2001
News Summary
The Canadian government has proposed several initiatives that would expand medicinal use of marijuana and minimize punishment for marijuana possession and use, the Associated Press reported May 29.Justice Minister Anne McLellan has urged a study on marijuana policy, while a new Parliament committee on drug matters will review decriminalization. In addition, Conservative Party leader Joe Clark is calling for the elimination of criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana.
"It's unjust to see someone, because of one decision one night in their youth, carry the stigma -- to be barred from studying medicine, law, architecture, or other fields where a criminal record could present an obstacle," Clark said.
Also, the government has proposed expanding medicinal use of marijuana, while the Canadian Medical Association Journal recently came out in support of full decriminalization. Furthermore, Canada's Supreme Court will decide this year whether criminal charges for the personal use of marijuana violate constitutional rights.
If Canada moves ahead with making possession and use of small amounts of marijuana a civil offense rather than a criminal violation, critics say the action could impact drug prohibition in the United States. "It will have a residual effect in this country of depressing prices and making marijuana more available," said Robert Maginnis of the Family Research Council. "We find our allies are piling up on us and making it more difficult to fight drug use."
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