GREENS SAY CRIME BILL WRONG ! legalize cannabis !

[shavluk]

Media Release

For Immediate Release

October 11, 2007

Harper's "war on drugs" regressive and irresponsible: Green Party

OTTAWA – The Green Party today denounced Prime Minister Stephen Harper's proposed drug strategy as an ideologically-driven step in the wrong direction and ignorant of evidence-based research. Last week, Mr. Harper announced his intent to spend $64 million in a war on drugs, focusing on punishment and enforcement – not prevention.

"Mr. Harper is far too eager to sign Canada on to a Bush-style war on drugs that has spent billions and achieved nothing," said Green Party leader Elizabeth May. "An overwhelming body of evidence supports the notion that an effective drug strategy would focus on prevention, treatment facilities and harm reduction programs.

"Mr. Harper preaches prevention, yet spends many times the funds allocated to prevention on enforcing antiquated drug laws and punishing drug users. This approach is akin to simply burning tax dollars and is severely damaging to society. Instead of listening to the facts, Mr. Harper is trying to appear tough on crime in a desperate attempt to grab votes."

Jared Giesbrecht, Justice Critic for the Green Party, added that the 2002 Senate Special Committee on Drugs and examples from European countries have led the Green Party to the conclusion that it is time to legalize the adult use of marijuana, developing a taxation rate for the substance similar to that of tobacco.

"Mr. Harper's plan to impose tougher penalties on users of marijuana and other drugs is a misguided approach. Substance abuse is a medical issue, not a criminal issue. Simply spending more tax dollars on drug law enforcement is not the answer. Canadians want to see a comprehensive anti-drug strategy that gets to the root of the problem, not Harper's patch-work agenda that seeks the quick fix."

Mr. Giesbrecht added that the Green Party would fund and expand safe injection sites, like the Insite clinic in Vancouver, that are proven to save lives.

-30-

Contact:

Camille Labchuk

Press Secretary

613-882-4761

[email protected]

Edited October 11, 2007 by shavluk

[M.Dancer]

Jared Giesbrecht, Justice Critic for the Green Party,...........

About Me

I am from northern BC but I am currently going to law school at Queen’s University in Kingston, ON. Please consider helping me work to build a stronger, more open, and more responsible Federal Council. Please vote Jared for Councilor at Large.

http://www.blogger.com/profile/06700995103317227834

Another example of why the Greens have no credibility.

[Canadian Blue]

I'm getting somewhat tired of the whole "Bush-Harper" argument. If you have a problem with Harpers policy then argue against it based on its merits, don't resort to inane comparisons between a foriegn leader. I'm all for legalizing marijuana but I don't see how constantly comparing Bush to Harper is productive in the debate.

[M.Dancer]

I'm getting somewhat tired of the whole "Bush-Harper" argument. If you have a problem with Harpers policy then argue against it based on its merits, don't resort to inane comparisons between a foriegn leader. I'm all for legalizing marijuana but I don't see how constantly comparing Bush to Harper is productive in the debate.

It isn't but that's not why they do it. They know that their following is among the young and niave. Most people have a negative imprssion of Bush. They know they don't have a snowball's chance of winning votes from the larger constituency by saying they will legalize drugs, so by saying harper=bush, they hope to tap into the post adolescent angst that most of us dumped 20- years ago.

[old_bold&cold]

My my, another Green party candidate, that wants to legalise marijuana. Elisabeth may seems to be desperate for people to carry the green banner. But yes I can take solace in the fact that there is no real hope of any kind of green surge happening in the next couple decades or so. It is a shame that the green party has this type of agenda, as it really does nothing to make the average person want to take them seriously. Hell even their candidates admit that they will not even come close to a win, and use this as they say "a public awareness lesson"

[kengs333]

My my, another Green party candidate, that wants to legalise marijuana. Elisabeth may seems to be desperate for people to carry the green banner. But yes I can take solace in the fact that there is no real hope of any kind of green surge happening in the next couple decades or so. It is a shame that the green party has this type of agenda, as it really does nothing to make the average person want to take them seriously. Hell even their candidates admit that they will not even come close to a win, and use this as they say "a public awareness lesson"

In all of the discussion that I've been privy to on Green Party policy, this issue has never been addressed so crassly as it is by the OP. My local Green Party candidate, to my knowledge, has never raised this as an issue. It really is a side issue for the party; it has much more important issues to focus on. The fact of the matter is that the OP is a recent convert, is simply using the party to further his already proven failed agenda. I really hope that the party will do something about this soon.

[shavluk]

For the sake of speed I will plagerize.

By the by what is OP?

from ,,,

http://enmasse.ca/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6965&start=0

Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:14 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Who cares?

Of all the possible injustices to get all excited about this has got to be the dumbest.

It is my information that three people are in jail in Kingston on security certificates, and have been held without charge. trial, or even the right to see the information which has resulting in them being held for five years. They are now in the second month of a hunger strike.

I hope that puts your complaining about dope in perspective.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That is shocking and terrible that people are held without trial.

But Canadian Marc Emery is facing a mandatory minimum 10 years in a US jail for selling marijuana seeds. That's also shocking.

Around the world, the global drug war is a major source of war, violence, political instability and loss of civil rights.

The global drug war includes herbicide spraying campaigns in South America which poison water and kill livestock. It includes military campaigns which kill thousands. The war on drugs is deeply tied into what is happening now in Afghanistan, and many other global conflicts.

The war on drugs has resulted in America becoming the world's #1 jailer. In the US, there's thousands and thousands of cases of people suffering extremely long sentences for minor drug crimes, and Canada is heading in the same direction.

The work to end the drug war is not about me wanting to be able to smoke weed. I already smoke lots of marijuana. My efforts are to end the global drug war which results in a great deal of death, destruction, environmental degradation, and is a prime reason why we're seeing the expansion of the prison-industrial complex.

The "war on drugs" is a war against all of the world's most sacred and beneficial plants. Virtually all the plants banned by the war on drugs are considered sacred allies by some indigenous people. Coca, poppies, marijuana, psilocybe mushrooms, etc etc, are all wonderful, potent allies to humanity. The war on these plants is also a war to eradicate the cultures of many indigenous peoples, and to replace these medicinal plants (which should be free for anyone) with expensive, patented pharmaceutical medicines.

The war on drugs is also very racist and also class based. In the US especially, but in Canada too, the poor and minorities are vastly over-represented in the jails for these "victimless crimes".

The war on drugs is also a major cause of urban crimes, including theft when addicts steal to get money for their drugs, and gun crimes as gangs fight for turf.

There used to be laws in place which penalized people for having sex with someone of the same gender. Although homosexuals still suffer discrimination, there is no western nation which makes homosexuality illegal. But there are still many laws in place which penalize people for what they choose to grow in their garden, and it is government policy to put those people in jail.

Heck, it's even because of the war on drugs that we can't grow hemp in any significant way, which could definitely help us preserve our forests, enrich our diets, provide a great source of bio-fuels and even help us deal with the challenges of climate change.

These are just some of the reason why I care about ending the war on drugs.

Certainly the war on drugs is not the only issue facing the world. But I don't understand when people say that it is "not important."

some of the feed back at other sites in response to this issue,,,,,,,

here's a great one ,,,,,,,

Viewing this issue as simply about legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana tends to place this issue fairly low (like off the radar) on many people's progressive agenda. Viewing it as putting an end to the war on drugs elevates the issue to a top priority. The war on drugs is the cutting edge of fascism in America. It is absolutely central to the loss of civil liberties, freedom and justice in America, and paved the way for the final removal of civil rights protections under the banner of the war on terror. We in Canada are perpetuating a war on our own citizens under our current marijuana laws. This is unconscionable and obscene and must not be allowed to continue.

We have been lied to with our own tax dollars for decades. When I met with my local Conservative MP about this issue, he was more knowledgeable and sympathetic than I expected. He suggested marijuana advocates take out huge newspaper adds destroying the current myths about marijuana which keep us spinning our wheels. The more I think about it, the more I think he was right.

The struggle to legalize marijuana is a struggle not only for justice, but for an invaluable and abundant medicine. It is a struggle of truth against lies, and individual and collective will against multinational corporations. It is very difficult to exaggerate the harm that has been caused by the war on drugs. When the dots are all connected, it's not at all hard to argue that legalizing marijuana ought to have the highest priority with all progressive people and parties.

again all of you,,, no disrespect but this issue is bigger than most realize and ties to so many wrongs in this and other countries

i am ex Canadian military,,an ex revenue Canada legal and licensing officer , an ex banker ,and many more things,,,

i am also a father and a grandfather and i am not doing this for any other reasons except for what i have stated and the simple fact that to some one like me,,,, what our inaction is causing ,,well,,

IT IS WILLFULL IGNORANCE, and a crime against all of us!!!!

[bush_cheney2004]

... The war on drugs is the cutting edge of fascism in America. It is absolutely central to the loss of civil liberties, freedom and justice in America, and paved the way for the final removal of civil rights protections under the banner of the war on terror. We in Canada are perpetuating a war on our own citizens under our current marijuana laws. This is unconscionable and obscene and must not be allowed to continue.

Hmmm...reads to me like you are obsessed with American policy and incarceration. What does this have to do with Canada, who banned cannabis before the Americans? How will any changes for tokers rotting in jail impact tokers rotting or fined in Canada?

If America dictates drug policies in Canada (it doesn't), then you deserve whatever happens.

[no queenslave]

For the sake of speed I will plagerize.

By the by what is OP?

from ,,,

http://enmasse.ca/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6965&start=0

Posted: Mon Feb 05, 2007 8:14 pm Post subject:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Who cares?

Of all the possible injustices to get all excited about this has got to be the dumbest.

It is my information that three people are in jail in Kingston on security certificates, and have been held without charge. trial, or even the right to see the information which has resulting in them being held for five years. They are now in the second month of a hunger strike.

I hope that puts your complaining about dope in perspective.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That is shocking and terrible that people are held without trial.

But Canadian Marc Emery is facing a mandatory minimum 10 years in a US jail for selling marijuana seeds. That's also shocking.

Around the world, the global drug war is a major source of war, violence, political instability and loss of civil rights.

The global drug war includes herbicide spraying campaigns in South America which poison water and kill livestock. It includes military campaigns which kill thousands. The war on drugs is deeply tied into what is happening now in Afghanistan, and many other global conflicts.

The war on drugs has resulted in America becoming the world's #1 jailer. In the US, there's thousands and thousands of cases of people suffering extremely long sentences for minor drug crimes, and Canada is heading in the same direction.

The work to end the drug war is not about me wanting to be able to smoke weed. I already smoke lots of marijuana. My efforts are to end the global drug war which results in a great deal of death, destruction, environmental degradation, and is a prime reason why we're seeing the expansion of the prison-industrial complex.

The "war on drugs" is a war against all of the world's most sacred and beneficial plants. Virtually all the plants banned by the war on drugs are considered sacred allies by some indigenous people. Coca, poppies, marijuana, psilocybe mushrooms, etc etc, are all wonderful, potent allies to humanity. The war on these plants is also a war to eradicate the cultures of many indigenous peoples, and to replace these medicinal plants (which should be free for anyone) with expensive, patented pharmaceutical medicines.

The war on drugs is also very racist and also class based. In the US especially, but in Canada too, the poor and minorities are vastly over-represented in the jails for these "victimless crimes".

The war on drugs is also a major cause of urban crimes, including theft when addicts steal to get money for their drugs, and gun crimes as gangs fight for turf.

There used to be laws in place which penalized people for having sex with someone of the same gender. Although homosexuals still suffer discrimination, there is no western nation which makes homosexuality illegal. But there are still many laws in place which penalize people for what they choose to grow in their garden, and it is government policy to put those people in jail.

Heck, it's even because of the war on drugs that we can't grow hemp in any significant way, which could definitely help us preserve our forests, enrich our diets, provide a great source of bio-fuels and even help us deal with the challenges of climate change.

These are just some of the reason why I care about ending the war on drugs.

Certainly the war on drugs is not the only issue facing the world. But I don't understand when people say that it is "not important."

some of the feed back at other sites in response to this issue,,,,,,,

here's a great one ,,,,,,,

Viewing this issue as simply about legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana tends to place this issue fairly low (like off the radar) on many people's progressive agenda. Viewing it as putting an end to the war on drugs elevates the issue to a top priority. The war on drugs is the cutting edge of fascism in America. It is absolutely central to the loss of civil liberties, freedom and justice in America, and paved the way for the final removal of civil rights protections under the banner of the war on terror. We in Canada are perpetuating a war on our own citizens under our current marijuana laws. This is unconscionable and obscene and must not be allowed to continue.

We have been lied to with our own tax dollars for decades. When I met with my local Conservative MP about this issue, he was more knowledgeable and sympathetic than I expected. He suggested marijuana advocates take out huge newspaper adds destroying the current myths about marijuana which keep us spinning our wheels. The more I think about it, the more I think he was right.

The struggle to legalize marijuana is a struggle not only for justice, but for an invaluable and abundant medicine. It is a struggle of truth against lies, and individual and collective will against multinational corporations. It is very difficult to exaggerate the harm that has been caused by the war on drugs. When the dots are all connected, it's not at all hard to argue that legalizing marijuana ought to have the highest priority with all progressive people and parties.

again all of you,,, no disrespect but this issue is bigger than most realize and ties to so many wrongs in this and other countries

i am ex Canadian military,,an ex revenue Canada legal and licensing officer , an ex banker ,and many more things,,,

i am also a father and a grandfather and i am not doing this for any other reasons except for what i have stated and the simple fact that to some one like me,,,, what our inaction is causing ,,well,,

IT IS WILLFULL IGNORANCE, and a crime against all of us!!!!

you have been indoctrinated and haven't a clue as to how corrupt the Canadian government is . As a ex revenue officer you have no credibility.

[shavluk]

I will not be surprised to awake tomorrow and see the press release either ignored or used in the way it was with and against jack layton.

The drugs will be there whether we choice to acknowledge that fact or not matters little.

Crime will be accidentally killing innocent people over the now more profitable drug dealings and Harpers minimum sentences.

Every killing in the country is now seemingly drug related based on the latest RCMP member just gunned down.

The RCMP should not be enforcing the racist morality based laws of cowardly politicians long since dead.

It is insanity to continue the way we have.

Thank you Elizabeth May for having the guts to stand up to the hypocrisy of the other parties !!

[geoffrey]

Crime will be accidentally killing innocent people over the now more profitable drug dealings and Harpers minimum sentences.

Accidentially killing people. Opps. I didn't mean to keep a loaded 9 in my car. What the hell is that? These people are cold blooded killers. That won't change if pot is legalised.

Every killing in the country is now seemingly drug related based on the latest RCMP member just gunned down.

I'd say the vast majority are drug related.

The RCMP should not be enforcing the racist morality based laws of cowardly politicians long since dead.

Racist? What the hell are you talking about?

Thank you Elizabeth May for having the guts to stand up to the hypocrisy of the other parties !!

Was that before or after she spoke about banning abortions?

[old_bold&cold]

Elizabeth May is a very poor example of a party leader. She in her attempts to fill the voids where candidates could not be found willing to run, has accepted candidates that run roughshod over any common sense the party could have had. Her ideas are not something that we would call primisterial and she seems to not be in control of what her candidates push as being important party policy. This make her a loser, in more ways then one. The Green Party support has been mostly one of where people throw their vote in protest of the other parties. That will change, as we are once again seeing the people getting more in tune with what is happening, and they will align themselves more to the parties who actually make the rules and laws today.

I am sure that some where there are some serious Green Party candidates that actually talk sense and speak of a platform that they might see a realistic and possible. They would never bring this issue of legalized drugs into the talk and yes, they would rather make clear issues on things that are mainstream, and forget about all the fringe in the party's mix. But that is hard to do with those who insist on shoting the party in the foot, by bringing all the fringe stuff to the fore front. That is just plain sad.

[maldon_road]

Elizabeth May is a very poor example of a party leader.

In a few days we will know if we are headed for an election. One of the key determinants will be how the CPC deals with the environment in the throne speech. We know the position of the Bloc, Libs and NDP. If the Greens have any pretensions of being a legitimate party they have to make their views known too.

Lizzie May, where are you?

[shavluk]

She is at home recovering from hip replacement.

Adrianne Carr will be in Ottawa for a press release tomorrow giving you all some thing more to think about.

You are free to stand up with a political party and put your money where your mouth is.

Lets hope your wallet really is as big as your mouth , then we can really educate the voters cant we? !!!!!

THE GREEN IDEA'S ARE BETTER THAN WHAT I SEE OR HEAR !!