Monday, August 22, 2011

Tim Hudak smoked dope: doesn't that say something about whether it should be legal?

The obsession with marijuana baffles me. I'll agree it's bad for you and cultivates sloth -- but, errh, whiskey is better?

Maybe making marijuana legal is not possible now. I accept that -- society is ready for gay marriage but not happy puffers -- but why add grossly excessive sentences to marijuana offences?

Even if you agree with the 'tough on crime' agenda, surely you would agree we should be tougher on bad crime (personal violence) rather than dope smoking? Yet we're going the other way:

http://bit.ly/o4lT4N

"Does organized crime really cultivate just six marijuana plants in its grow-ops? Six months for six plants! Why not seven, like the musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers? Unfortunately, sentencing isn't a musical. Two years in jail for giving marijuana to a friend near a school? What does "near" mean? Anything less than far? If the marijuana is given or sold "near any other public place, usually frequented by persons under the age of 18," it's also a mandatory sentence of two years. What public place in urban areas isn't "usually frequented by persons under the age of 18"? Does the government really think that an 18-year-old giving or selling marijuana to his friend near a school constitutes organized crime?"

9 comments:

Dan F said...

Its not a question of whether society is ready for it. Polls indicate that more people are in favour of legalizing marijuana then are for gay marriage. The question is only whether any politician will have the courage to take a political risk on this issue. It's not even a real risk, but they believe it is, and for some reason is a third rail in politics; one of those issues that mainstream politicians just don't want to touch.

If the Liberal Party elects a new generation of leadership, that is willing to challenge the conventional wisdom on this and other issues, then they might have a chance in the next election. If its business as usual for the party, then game over man.

bigcitylib said...

I agree %100. Its also hilarious though that the lawyer's name is "Doob". Conflict of interest?

PS. Glad you've finally learned how to link to stuff.

Unknown said...

Doob's the prof, Greenspan's the lawyer.

P.S. I think Tim Hudak's lying about having smoked marijuana in high-school. I say to prove that he's telling the truth, he should smoke up and post the video on YouTube.

James C Morton said...

Dan you are right -- but for at least four years legalization is a fantasy. But maybe we can try to keep the penalities from being shot up?

Michael said...

These laws are only designed to fill up the new jails... people need to stand up and speak loudly. Most cops don't even agree with enforcing marijuana laws, it costs too much and accomplishes little. Just wait until these laws are challenged, they can't stand. and once Harper is done no one will elect a conservative for a decade and we can start setting right the things he destroys.

Unknown said...

Hey I have checked out your blog. It looks like you have done some good research here. Keep Continuing good job. I like your blog. I will be glad if you check out of mine. Thank you.
average cost of rhinoplasty

Anonymous said...

What are the best realistic possible methods for stopping the manditory minimums for marijuana being stopped? We need to start now. A country full of professionals recommending against a policy has been shown totally useless in the case of the Long Form Mandatory Census, and will shortly prove useless for the Wheat Board. How do we stop it? Is the Bar Association going to go out on strike? Do all the unions have rotating strike? Do we declare all of September to be April 20th?

Bob Rae cant do anything. The NDP can't do anything right now. Who takes the lead in protecting Canada from Harper?







-

ridenrain said...

Canadian organized crime sells drugs into the US. That's a fact. Making it legal here will change nothing but one US state making it legal will change everything.

Anonymous said...

Before we go there can we not modernize our liquor laws?eg; Having a beer or wine with a picnic lunch in a park should not be a fine.

I have no problem with personal recreational use of marijuana but as even Ignatieff pointed out there are better things to do with free time. young people who smoke a lot of pot are usually unproductive.

I would agree that stiff time for possession should be reconsidered but if anyone is caught selling the stuff to kids then I see no problem with them becoming very familiar with concrete and porridge. If you are caught driving while under the influence then ditto.