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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Canada: Cauchon Retreats On Pot Decriminalization
ccguide Saturday 22 Mar 2003 Pubdate: Fri, 21 Mar 2003 Source: Winnipeg Sun (CN MB) Copyright: 2003 Canoe Limited Partnership Contact: Website: http://www.fyiwinnipeg.com/winsun.shtml Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/503 Author: Canadian Press CAUCHON RETREATS ON POT DECRIMINALIZATION TORONTO -- Justice Minister Martin Cauchon appears to be backing away from plans to introduce legislation by the end of next month decriminalizing simple marijuana possession. Cauchon told reporters yesterday that if he could introduce a new law before Parliament's summer break he "would be happy." But he said he believes Canadians need a national debate before taking any steps to downgrade possession of small amounts of marijuana from a criminal offence to one penalized by a ticket and fine. "What will take place in the future in terms of policy, we'll see," he said yesterday after giving a speech to the Empire Club in Toronto. "I told you, I would like to reform the system. ... We'll come forward with my policy as soon as I can." Cauchon acknowledged that a Commons committee consulted with Canadians before recommending in December that possession of up to 30 grams of marijuana be decriminalized. But he said he wants to study those recommendations as well as those of a Senate committee that went further last September by recommending that marijuana be legalized for Canadians 16 and older. Cauchon considered the issuance of tickets to marijuana users as a way of avoiding saddling youth with criminal records. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth
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