Making marijuana legal for personal consumption.

[Mr.Canada]

I think the Tories should adopt a policy like this as a plank in their next election platform. It would be wildly popular and would catch the other parties off guard. Not making it legal across the board but only legal for personal consumption.

I'm talking about growing, consuming and possession. It would free up some valuable resources in our legal system to fight real crime and would make Canada a huge holiday draw. Plus it could cut into the profits of organized crime.

Our tourism would skyrocket. Canada would become the Amsterdam of the west. People could open hash bar/coffee shops without penalization putting more Canadians to work.

Many Canadians already have no problem with cannabis and accept its use in the public square. I'm shocked that a political party hasn't done this yet.

I don't smoke myself at all but would have no problem voting for this if it were put to a referendum.

[Wild Bill]

I think the Tories should adopt a policy like this as a plank in their next election platform. It would be wildly popular and would catch the other parties off guard. Not making it legal across the board but only legal for personal consumption.

I'm talking about growing, consuming and possession. It would free up some valuable resources in our legal system to fight real crime and would make Canada a huge holiday draw. Plus it could cut into the profits of organized crime.

Our tourism would skyrocket. Canada would become the Amsterdam of the west. People could open hash bar/coffee shops without penalization putting more Canadians to work.

Many Canadians already have no problem with cannabis and accept its use in the public square. I'm shocked that a political party hasn't done this yet.

I don't smoke myself at all but would have no problem voting for this if it were put to a referendum.

Logical, but unfortunately people aren't logical.

As a voting issue, most folks who favour some sort of legalization don't care about the issue enough to make it a deal-breaker as to their party choice. After all, anyone can get marijuana any time they want with almost no risk of being caught! It's as easy as it was to find a speakeasy, all those years ago.

The only ones who care about the issue enough to MAKE it a dealbreaker are those against it! Some folks LOVE telling their neighbour what he can or can't do! They will fight to the death against having that power taken away from them!

So a party would lose more votes than it would gain.

Certainly, if the NDP favoured legalization it would never be enough to get my vote!

Edited February 11, 2011 by Wild Bill

[Shwa]

I think the Tories should adopt a policy like this as a plank in their next election platform. It would be wildly popular and would catch the other parties off guard. Not making it legal across the board but only legal for personal consumption.

... People could open hash bar/coffee shops without penalization putting more Canadians to work.

Of course by this you mean and 'bring your own dope' bars or coffee shops since growing, harvesting and selling it to others is not "personal consumption" but commodity.

[Mr.Canada]

Of course by this you mean and 'bring your own dope' bars or coffee shops since growing, harvesting and selling it to others is not "personal consumption" but commodity.

Hrm...you're right I never thought of that when I was typing it. Yeah I guess it would have to be this way. I know there's one of these in Kensington of Toronto right now. Cannot remember the name.

I'd like for us to see what Amsterdam is doing and maybe take some cues from them. No reason for them to get all the cannatourism dollars.

I'd like to see a balance between everything illegal and letting people operate a million dollar grow op legally. In this day and age I don't see any reason for cannabis to be completely outlawed on the books as it is now. I'm actually quite surprised that Canada hasn't done this already. Given how socialist a country this is, not knocking Canada at all in saying that, it's just a fact.

[Saipan]

I think the Tories should adopt a policy like this as a plank in their next election platform. It would be wildly popular and would catch the other parties off guard. Not making it legal across the board but only legal for personal consumption.

I'm talking about growing, consuming and possession. It would free up some valuable resources in our legal system to fight real crime and would make Canada a huge holiday draw. Plus it could cut into the profits of organized crime.

Our tourism would skyrocket. Canada would become the Amsterdam of the west. People could open hash bar/coffee shops without penalization putting more Canadians to work.

Many Canadians already have no problem with cannabis and accept its use in the public square. I'm shocked that a political party hasn't done this yet.

I don't smoke myself at all but would have no problem voting for this if it were put to a referendum.

Interesting idea.

I think it would increase single vehicle accidents.

The US could decide likewise and lose any restrictions on firearms, specially across the border. Sale to Canadians......

It would have to be taxed enough to cover the extra cost of road checks for DUI.

As for organized crime they would go to the next profitable items. More and better guns, other hard drugs.... unless everything was legal.

Amsterdam case.

"The coffee shop owners do not have an easy time of it. They are constantly being raided by the police with dogs. They arrive, seal off the premises, no one can leave or enter and everything is searched. Bad times for Amsterdam."

http://www.amsterdamescape.com/Drugs.html

[Topaz]

WOW! LOL! Apparently, you have read or know THEIR crime bill they are trying to get passed and the opposition is stopping it. They are going to throw people in jail for having very little pot or other drugs on them. I've watched the senate hearings on this bill and one example was a 18 year old, who was ask by n uncover cop if the kid could get him some drugs. The kid bring back a few pills and now that kid is going to jail for 5-10years, have a record and will have a hard time going straight and this was a first offense. Drug users don't need jail time they need mental health time and jail doesn't give that to them but the Tories want bigger jails to throw all drug users in and throw away the key. You will NEVER see pot legal under the Tory government.

[Mr.Canada]

WOW! LOL! Apparently, you have read or know THEIR crime bill they are trying to get passed and the opposition is stopping it. They are going to throw people in jail for having very little pot or other drugs on them. I've watched the senate hearings on this bill and one example was a 18 year old, who was ask by n uncover cop if the kid could get him some drugs. The kid bring back a few pills and now that kid is going to jail for 5-10years, have a record and will have a hard time going straight and this was a first offense. Drug users don't need jail time they need mental health time and jail doesn't give that to them but the Tories want bigger jails to throw all drug users in and throw away the key. You will NEVER see pot legal under the Tory government.

Yes, I'm aware of the Tory crime bill and I don't agree with the section having to do with pot possession. One doesn't need to agree with 100% of a parties agenda to support them Topaz. I certainly don't agree with every word that comes out of PM Harpers mouth, just most of it.

This is one area where my personal opinions differ from my party. I doubt I'm the only conservative voter who feels this way as well.

I'd like to see a link to where a "kid" has gotten 5-10 years for passing some pills. I've been arrested and been to prison myself and I've never heard of anyone getting 5-10 years for a few pills.

We build new roads, new sewers, run new electricity lines etc to keep up with population growth but we shouldn't build new prisons as well? The more people we have in Canada the more criminals we'll have, it's simple math.

Well the Tories won't be in power forever. No one party will be. Sooner or later the Liberals will get it together and will win an election again. Politics is in constant flux and never remains the same. Right now it's the Tories turn but the Liberals will rise again. You don't seriously think the Tories will be in power forever do you?

There's no need to make fun of me either. I'm just voicing my opinion on what I think is a good idea.

Edited February 11, 2011 by Mr.Canada

[Saipan]

WOW! LOL! Apparently, you have read or know THEIR crime bill they are trying to get passed and the opposition is stopping it. They are going to throw people in jail for having very little pot or other drugs on them.

Actually NO. Pot is treated more leniently. But there won't be robers and killers going through revolving door in catch-and-release liberal hug-a-thug program.

[Jonsa]

I believe that all recreational drugs should be legalized and distribution controlled and taxed.

DOPEC is bigger that OPEC.

Of course there would have to be a number of laws to complement this such as those concerning alcohol. (driving, equipment operation, etc).

There would be huge savings in law enforcement. Tax revenues would also be huge. These monies could then be channeled into health care and education with lots left over for say, reducing our national debt.

I am of the opinion that all "vice" should be legalized, controlled and taxed. With the iron clad exceptions of anything that involves children or physical harm to others in which case stomp on the bastards.

Don't know why we make it so lucrative for bad guys and scum. We could eliminate a very large percentage of the criminal element by legalization. We could increase government revenue astronomically. We could improve health care and education. We could focus our legal and penal systems on really bad guys and really bad crimes.

But why be rational when righteous feels so much better.

[bjre]

I think the Tories should adopt a policy like this as a plank in their next election platform. It would be wildly popular and would catch the other parties off guard. Not making it legal across the board but only legal for personal consumption.

I'm talking about growing, consuming and possession. It would free up some valuable resources in our legal system to fight real crime and would make Canada a huge holiday draw. Plus it could cut into the profits of organized crime.

Our tourism would skyrocket. Canada would become the Amsterdam of the west. People could open hash bar/coffee shops without penalization putting more Canadians to work.

Many Canadians already have no problem with cannabis and accept its use in the public square. I'm shocked that a political party hasn't done this yet.

I don't smoke myself at all but would have no problem voting for this if it were put to a referendum.

Canadian Legislation -- A way to produce more criminals to feed legal industry.

[Smallc]

I believe that all recreational drugs should be legalized and distribution controlled and taxed.

I agree, at least with marijuana. People should not be able to grow it; but rather they should have to buy it. The taxes would benefit society greatly.

[Saipan]

I believe that all recreational drugs should be legalized

Users claim they are recreational. Whatever they use

[Saipan]

I agree, at least with marijuana. People should not be able to grow it

Why not? We can ferment our own alcohol.

In Europe we grew poppies. The seeds are used in everyday baking.

[Shakeyhands]

Actually NO. Pot is treated more leniently. But there won't be robers and killers going through revolving door in catch-and-release liberal hug-a-thug program.

You and your catch phrases... it's actually pretty sad.

[eyeball]

I agree, at least with marijuana. People should not be able to grow it; but rather they should have to buy it. The taxes would benefit society greatly.

People who grow their own grapes and produce their own wine pay taxes. I suspect the things people need for growing their own marijuana and producing pot are likewise taxed.

Canada has been benefiting from pot for years without even acknowledging it. If it weren't for pot BC would have been a have-not province for the last 15 - 20 years.

[Saipan]

You and your catch phrases... it's actually pretty sad.

Yes, why not attack the messenger. Good substitute for facts.

[Saipan]

People who grow their own grapes and produce their own wine pay taxes.

Only if they're selling.

If it weren't for pot BC would have been a have-not province for the last 15 - 20 years.

How does that work?

[Shakeyhands]

Yes, why not attack the messenger. Good substitute for facts.

This is funny coming from Mr. No Facts, you aren't able to back up any of your arguments... EVER.

[eyeball]

Only if they're selling.

No, they pay taxes on things they need to grow grapes and produce wine.

How does that work?

B.C.'s billion-dollar illegal marijuana economy could be facing a financial crisis if Californians vote to legalize marijuana during mid-term elections on Nov. 2.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/10/27/bc-california-proposition-marijuana.html#ixzz1DfHYbwBP

It's probably more accurate if it wasn't for prohibition BC would be a have-not province.

Edited February 11, 2011 by eyeball

[Saipan]

No, they pay taxes on things they need to grow grapes and produce wine.

Everyone pays those taxes, whether he grows grape vines or thistles and dandelions on his property.

[eyeball]

Everyone pays those taxes, whether he grows grape vines or thistles and dandelions on his property.

Then it's safe to assume these taxes are enough to cover the extra cost of road checks for DUI.

You seem to think that extra taxation is warranted in the case of people who grow their own pot to cover some imagined extra cost they bring to society, what about people who grow grapes to make booze?

[Saipan]

Then it's safe to assume these taxes are enough to cover the extra cost of road checks for DUI.

Those are property taxes. Whether you grow vines, thistles or pot.

what about people who grow grapes to make booze?

What about them?

Business?

[Jack Weber]

This is funny coming from Mr. No Facts, you aren't able to back up any of your arguments... EVER.

Mr.No Facts....

[Topaz]

Yes, I'm aware of the Tory crime bill and I don't agree with the section having to do with pot possession. One doesn't need to agree with 100% of a parties agenda to support them Topaz. I certainly don't agree with every word that comes out of PM Harpers mouth, just most of it.

This is one area where my personal opinions differ from my party. I doubt I'm the only conservative voter who feels this way as well.

I'd like to see a link to where a "kid" has gotten 5-10 years for passing some pills. I've been arrested and been to prison myself and I've never heard of anyone getting 5-10 years for a few pills.

We build new roads, new sewers, run new electricity lines etc to keep up with population growth but we shouldn't build new prisons as well? The more people we have in Canada the more criminals we'll have, it's simple math.

Well the Tories won't be in power forever. No one party will be. Sooner or later the Liberals will get it together and will win an election again. Politics is in constant flux and never remains the same. Right now it's the Tories turn but the Liberals will rise again. You don't seriously think the Tories will be in power forever do you?

There's no need to make fun of me either. I'm just voicing my opinion on what I think is a good idea.

From what I heard on the senate committees , that is what would happen IF the bill passes and that is why the Libs want amendments to it because it put too many people in jail for minor drug offenses.

[Saipan]

From what I heard on the senate committees

The National Enquirer.