The Harper government is making a third attempt to pass Bill S-10; a Conservative Bill that would see significant changes to drug crimes. Among the many changes to the current law, the bill proposes a mandatory six-month sentence for possessing as few as six marijuana plants. Large more sophisticated growing operations would lead to much harsher terms in prison at the cost to the Canadian Tax payer.
Liberal MPs ensured the government’s second attempt, Bill C-15, passed the Commons. But the government was stopped by Liberals in the Senate, who argued the marijuana-possession provisions made no distinction between large scale grow-ops and people with a few plants. They proposed applying the mandatory sentence to those found in possession of 20 or more plants. The Governments safety minister Vic Toews argued that the bill is aimed at organized crime and gang violence, even though the bill clearly attacks small owners of marijuana as well. The budget officer estimates that the cost of just one of the crime bills will cost Canadians $5 billion over the next five years. Again the government has decided to spend tax dollars on what they feel are matters of national security. What the government doesn’t understand is how economic disparities and unemployment can affect the crime rates more than small amounts of an essentially harmless drug.
I’ve never felt the need to do marijuana and really have little desire to do so. I have been around others who have, and in most circumstances it was hard to distinguish if their behaviour was being affected by the drug. I can honestly say alcohol produces a much different result, and it’s usually obvious when someone is intoxicated. Alcohol affects people socially, their health, job safety and security. Regardless of the comparison between alcohol and marijuana, this bill attacks more than just organized crime and would cost Canadians billions making them no safer than before. This is a very divisive issue and a controversial one. Logically the increased sentences for marijuana use make little sense considering the damage of alcohol and tobaccos have on the human body. Perhaps the government should look at alcohol regulation and underage drinking if they are looking to protect Canadians. Perhaps a drunken unregistered gun owner is preferred to our Prime Minister, than a high university student whose tests scores seem to be higher than the rest. Watch out for those big blue waves…
I would have to agree with you. This proposed bill targets the wrong group of people. So what if someone is caught with a few grams of marijuana? Drunk driving is a huge problem in Ontario, even with the tighter restrictions for young people and the lower legal limit. Let's focus on dealing with idiots who drive drunk on public roads rather than the stoners who stay in their basements.
ReplyDelete