VICTORIA, BC, January 6, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Paul Martin Liberals plan to re-introduce the pot legislation bill (formerly bill C-38) that died with the retirement of former Prime Minister Jean Chretien at the close of Parliament late last year.
There are to be no changes to the bill, which proposes the legalization of possession of marijuana in the amount of 15 grams (approximately 15 cigarettes).
The government has reportedly made this decision despite a recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling that it is within the federal government’s power to continue to make marijuana possession a crime.
REAL Women of Canada issued a press release last November expressing satisfaction that “Canada has escaped one of the dopiest pieces of legislation ever with the killing of Bill C-38 (decriminalization of marijuana), as a result of the Prorogation of Parliament.”
The Canadian women’s organization lists several serious flaws in the bill and concludes “It was naëve, superficial and dangerous. It would have created more problems and dangers to society than are already experienced by present marijuana use.”
Focus on the Family Canada research director Derek Rogusky, in reaction to the September 2002 Senate report which came out in favour of decriminalizing marijuana, pointed to evidence that decriminalization does in fact lead to greater use of cannabis. For example, in the Netherlands, marijuana decriminalization was accompanied by large increases in the number of users, particularly among youth. From 1984 to 1992 the rate of cannabis use among students increased by 250%.
Rogusky called the 2002 report “totally irresponsible…Marijuana is not harmless and legalizing its use and production will do nothing to reduce Canada’s drug problems.”
Rogusky pointed out evidence that shows adolescents who use marijuana are 85 times more likely to begin using cocaine than teens who have never smoked marijuana.
Other health risks attributed to long-term use of marijuana, he said, include serious pulmonary damage, memory lapses, pseudo-hallucinations, reduced bloodflow that can lead to strokes, tumours, and negative effects on the development of unborn children.
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Canadian Parliament Ends Current Session; Chretien Sets Return Date of Jan.12