Who decides pot laws?

[metis]

Ambassador Cellucci is at it again. Since when does an ambassador tell another country what to do?

Canada needs to toughen pot laws: U.S.
Ambassador warns of more border surveillance

Thu Jan 22 2004

By Robert Russo



OTTAWA -- Younger people trying to enter the United States will become targets of increased surveillance unless Canada can dispel the perception that it is slackening penalties for pot use, U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci said.
That perception might be eradicated if Canada's pending marijuana legislation included criminal penalties for more than one conviction, for possession near schools or possession while operating a vehicle, Cellucci said.

"We understand that this is a public policy decision for Canada to make just like (some U.S.) states have made," he told The Canadian Press in an interview. "We're just saying that right now the perception is that it's going to be a lot easier to get marijuana in Canada and that's going to put pressure on the border."

That strain won't slow border traffic and trade to a crawl, but it will have an impact on border crossings and on those crossing into the United States. Younger people travelling south will be prime targets of heightened surveillance, Cellucci said.

"If the perception is that it's easier to get marijuana in Canada, that's going to put pressure on the border as particularly young people drive into the United States, whether they're U.S. citizens or Canadian citizens. Customs and Immigration officers at the border are law enforcement officers. Their antenna will be up looking for those trying to bring these drugs into the United States."

Prime Minister Paul Martin has said that his government will re-introduce legislation drafted by his predecessor, Jean Chretien, that decriminalizes penalties for possession of up to 15 grams of marijuana. What remains unclear is whether the bill will be brought back in its original form or whether it will be amended to toughen its penalties provisions.

The Bush administration has made it clear to Canada that it regards the proposed legislation as a measure that will increase marijuana supply in the United States and increase drug trafficking across the border.

The legislation mandates a maximum fine of $400 for adults and $250 for youth for possession of 15 grams or less of marijuana -- about 20 cigarettes depending on how thickly they are rolled. Maximum sentences for illicit growers would increase and the government would spend about $150 million on an educational campaign to convince young people not to use drugs. Fines for possession would increase for intoxicated drivers.

But there are currently no provisions to make repeat offenders, drivers and those possessing the drug near schools criminally responsible. That's affecting the perception of the proposed bill among Bush administration officials, Cellucci said.

"I think several things could be done to toughen the bill. I think that if the effort is made to change this perception."

"There could be emphasis on the fact that . . . a young person is not going to have a criminal record but they are going to have to pay a significant fine which is more than what's happening to him right now." "You could do things like, on a second offence you will have a criminal record and if you do it while you're driving or if you're near a school."

-- Canadian Press

[judge_smales]

1. That's exactly what embassadors do.

They don't set the policy, but they communicate one countriexs plans/wishes/requests/demands to other countries.

[underpants]

2. The MAN

that's who

[Kamika]

3. He isn't exactly telling Canada what to do

He's telling Canada that if it continues to be soft on drugs America will check younger canadiens more.. and says that if you don't want that you gotta be stricter.

All up to Canada

[truthspeaker]

4. I dispute the prediction of increased trafficking

1) Pot is pretty damned easy to get in the US

2) The penalties for possession in most states are a lot less severe than the federal penalties for bringing it over the border.

[Nikia]

5. Small amounts are already decrimined in some states

Posessing a small amount (I think up to an ounce) only carries a penalty of a $100 fine. Antedotally, I don't think that more Ohioians are pot smokers than in states where such possession carries a jail sentence. I haven't seen the statisitcs but it didn't seem that way.