Ottawa, Ontario: Parliament is expected to resurrect legislation this month to make marijuana possession a fine-only offense, Justice Minister Irwin Cotler announced this week. Last year’s legislation (C-38) was backed by outgoing Justice Minister Martin Cauchon and former Prime Minister Jean Chretein, but languished in the House of Commons after some members of Parliament complained that the bill could encourage international drug trafficking.
This year’s bill will likely seek to reduce penalties on the possession and use of up to 10 grams (less than half an ounce) of marijuana to a ticketable offense, while simultaneously increasing penalties on large-scale marijuana cultivation. Once reintroduced, the new legislation could become law as soon as this spring, Cotler said.
NORML Foundation Executive Director Allen St. Pierre said that it was unfortunate that Parliament would weaken its decriminalization proposal. He noted that a Canadian Senate inquiry had previously recommended legalizing and regulating marijuana for those 16 years and older, while a House inquiry recommended decriminalizing the possession of up to 30 grams (approximately one ounce) of marijuana.
“It’s a shame that Parliament is letting ‘Reefer Madness’ get in the way of sound policy-making,” he said. “Both the Senate and House select committees determined unequivocally that criminal consequences for the possession of marijuana by adults are disproportionate to any potential harms associated with its responsible use. Parliament would be best to defer to their recommendation rather than the unfounded concerns of prohibitionists.”
For more information, please contact Allen St. Pierre of the NORML Foundation at (202) 483-5500.