Canadian Political Prisoner Returning home from Wrongful Incarceration

[G Huxley]

Let's see some justice by seeing the Canadian Officials who allowed this injustice to happen to a Canadian citizen and political leader, face a judicial inquiry.

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Prince+Marc+Emery+gets+approval+transfer+Canadian+prison/8643040/story.html

[AlienB]

Let's see some justice by seeing the Canadian Officials who allowed this injustice to happen to a Canadian citizen and political leader, face a judicial inquiry.

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Prince+Marc+Emery+gets+approval+transfer+Canadian+prison/8643040/story.html

Pots illegal. It may be a stupid law, but its the law. What really concerned me about this story is that the US needs approval from the government of Canada to return a Canadian to Canada. It is a constitutional right to enter leave or remain in Canada, the government shouldn't be able to veto those rights arbitrarily outside the law. Then again constitutional violations only have a pecuniary interest according to the supreme court for violations.. which is a little absurd in itself.

The real question is thought how would the US respond if there was no extradition treaty, would the situation be better or worse for Canada?

The criminal precendent here was that Emery was making it easier for people to grow pot which would reduce the price of pot and cut in on organized crimes proceeds and thus capabilities to be strong and conduct other illegal activities and make payoffs etc.. so it directly effected the interests of the US government because america was loosing drug money. What run of the mill person would pay for pot if they could watch it grow itself? Sure there might be a specialty trade but lets get real pot is big business, people selling seeds into america effect that trade and make it more difficult to control the drug.

Personally i think pot should be able to be privately used, but I'm not in favour of public use in smoke or vapour form, (edibles would be ok), as it is a public safety risk to people exposed in public especially those in specific occupations that require completely clean minds.

None the less... I've been casually exposed to pot and it is not a big issue for me, however, if I were needing to do insurance, or medical procedures, travel, or work related issues, it would be a big deal.

None the less Canada nor the US have laws that adequettely address the safety issues of pot, and many people arn't really aware or concerned about others peoples needs when it comes to contact with pot, and until there is adequette safegaurds in place, selling or moving pot can be irresponsible if not in a controlled manner.

None the less the guy broke the law, did time, and is now potentially on his way back into Canada.

It is a stupid world, a very serious world, but it is the only world that is around.. all you can do is vote for politicians that support a drug strategy that will accommodate private use of marijuana amongst responsible adults, and allow growing of pot for personal use.

I'm libertarian and that means as little government intervention in peoples personal lives as possible, but no I don't support full legalization of pot and what Mr. Emery did was a little irresponsible, but commendable, it was blind faith I would hope.

None the less I do think pot should be legalized for personal use including growing because it doesn't harm society, and definately not more than legal alcohol, pharmaceuticals, junk food, and an absence of access to clean air, water, or exercise.

The world is getting rougher and more corrupt, I don't see pot being legalized tomorrow.

It was in effect traffiking in marjuana, I've seen undercovers busted for having seeds, resin and stems. this means like a month in jail and a $50 fine type thing. 5 years is a long time, but he was in effect conspiring to enable the production of marijuana.

I don't see that as a crime without a view of who is doing it and for what purpose but the US does and there is an extradition treaty so legally it is open and closed.

Hopefully marc will reestablish himself, not have been replaced by the CIA and run in the next election.. but lets see where he is at when he gets back and out and if he can garner support to change pot laws in canada and/or extradition rules with the US.

What I think everyone is wondering is who were his cell mates and did he get raped.

Edited July 11, 2013 by AlienB

[G Huxley]

Pot isn't a crime, whether its illegal or not. If its illegal than we live under a tyranny.

[Topaz]

They probably want him gone because its costing THEM to keep him and since the US wants he gone, Harper will have no choice but to say yes, the pipeline issue isn't settled yet, keep them happy.

[MadX]

Pot isn't a crime, whether its illegal or not. If its illegal than we live under a tyranny.

I agree, I think pot should be fully legalized. Some regulation should be involved of course. Kids under 19 shouldn't be allowed to smoke it for example but its much less dangerous than either alcohol or tobacco but yet those substances are legal and pot isn't. This country doesn't make any sense at all.

[MadX]

They probably want him gone because its costing THEM to keep him and since the US wants he gone, Harper will have no choice but to say yes, the pipeline issue isn't settled yet, keep them happy.

Exactly, Harper is just kissing their arse because he wants Keystone passed.

[Boges]

Trafficking Alcohol and Tobacco is illegal even though they're legal products right?

So even if Marijuana was legal, this would still be a crime.

In Ontario we have some draconian regulations attached to legal use of alcohol and tobacco but people expect that producing unregulated marijuana should be fine?

Edited July 11, 2013 by Boges

[Boges]

None the less Canada nor the US have laws that adequettely address the safety issues of pot, and many people arn't really aware or concerned about others peoples needs when it comes to contact with pot, and until there is adequette safegaurds in place, selling or moving pot can be irresponsible if not in a controlled manner.

That's the thing. You legalize pot tomorrow these issue would have yet to be addressed.

Just because instances physical addiction to pot are less than with nicotine doesn't mean the drug doesn't come with some serious risks.

[The_Squid]

Trafficking Alcohol and Tobacco is illegal even though they're legal products right?

Trafficking in smokes and alcohol is perfectly legal. What are you talking about???

Ever been to a liquor store?

Edited July 11, 2013 by The_Squid

[Boges]

Trafficking in smokes and alcohol is perfectly legal. What are you talking about???

Ever been to a liquor store?

Yeah but let's say I want to produce my own whisky and sell it to people out of my garage and not charge taxes. That legal?

Is it legal to grow your own tobacco roll your own cigars and set up a stand and sell them to people?

Edited July 11, 2013 by Boges

[The_Squid]

Yeah but let's say I want to produce my own whisky and sell it to people out of my garage and not charge taxes. That legal?

Is it legal to grow your own tobacco roll your own cigars and set up a stand and sell them to people?

Oh. You mean that the sale of these products is legal but regulated... that's different than claiming that they are not allowed to be for sale at all.

Let's do the same thing for marijuana then. Or decriminalize it. Prohibition clearly hasn't worked.

[Boges]

Oh. You mean that the sale of these products is legal but regulated... that's different than claiming that they are not allowed to be for sale at all.

Let's do the same thing for marijuana then. Or decriminalize it. Prohibition clearly hasn't worked.

Sure but the thing about weed is it's a lot easier to produce at home than tobacco and alcohol.

Sure people make beer and wine at home but moonshine is still illegal and it requires a whole lot more effort than growing a plant.

Would mailing people seeds to grow their own weed still be legal if marijuana were treated just like alcohol and tobacco?

Also there's the fact that he was doing it across the border. I can't even cross the border and bring a bottle of scotch back without paying huge duty.

[The_Squid]

Sure but the thing about weed is it's a lot easier to produce at home than tobacco and alcohol.

Sure people make beer and wine at home but moonshine is still illegal and it requires a whole lot more effort than growing a plant.

So?

Would mailing people seeds to grow their own weed still be legal if marijuana were treated just like alcohol and tobacco?

Yes. It's like a beer/wine kit.

Also there's the fact that he was doing it across the border. I can't even cross the border and bring a bottle of scotch back without paying huge duty.

American laws... Canada has no control over that.

Yes, you can bring a bottle of scotch back without paying huge duties. Why do you make such sweeping untrue generalizations? One bottle of scotch (up to 1.14L) is duty free.

Edited July 11, 2013 by The_Squid

[Boges]

So?

Makes it much harder to regulate. A handful of seeds can make lots of plants. A winekit makes how much wine?

Yes, you can bring a bottle of scotch back without paying huge duties. Why do you make such sweeping untrue generalizations? One bottle of scotch (up to 1.14L) is duty free.

After a certain amount of time, I believe 48 hours. You can't just cross the border buy a few cases of beer, cartons of cigarettes and come back. If you don't declare it and pay the duty, it would be considered smuggling.

Edited July 11, 2013 by Boges

[guyser]

Yes, you can bring a bottle of scotch back without paying huge duties. Why do you make such sweeping untrue generalizations? One bottle of scotch (up to 1.14L) is duty free.

Actually he was right (boges)

One cannot cross the border and bring back booze without penalty. It most certainly is not duty free either.

Now if he stays 24 hours....

[Boges]

Also the maximum is one bottle of liqour, one case of beer and 50 cigars or cigarettes. You leave the country for a month and can't take back more than 7 day maximum.

Edited July 11, 2013 by Boges

[The_Squid]

True... there are restrictions about length of stay... good point.

[The_Squid]

Makes it much harder to regulate. A handful of seeds can make lots of plants. A winekit makes how much wine?

You're exactly right... enforcement would be a huge issue and a lot of the regulations probably would simply not be enforced. So a relatively benign substance (compared to already legal substances like alcohol), that can often be used as medication, that is easy to grow.... you think prohibition is the answer to the issues with regulating such a product?

[Boges]

True... there are restrictions about length of stay... good point.

Again, I'll state again that I'm not anti-pot.

But people who expect to be able to "legally" produce a potent drug like pot at home when we live in a country with such restrictive regulations on existing legal recreational drugs are delusional.

Legalization will mean dispensaries like the LCBO where products are sold at a high level of taxation.

I think the masses are probably more comfortable with the defacto decriminalization status we're in now where people aren't even fined for personal use. People who produce the products take the risk of criminal charges but under a system of regulated and legalized weed, what they do would be illegal anyway.

Edited July 11, 2013 by Boges

[Boges]

You're exactly right... enforcement would be a huge issue and a lot of the regulations probably would simply not be enforced. So a relatively benign substance (compared to already legal substances like alcohol), that can often be used as medication, that is easy to grow.... you think prohibition is the answer to the issues with regulating such a product?

As AlienB pointed out. It's still a mind altering substance, where there is no easy method to test.

I agree it's usually rather benign but so are two or three drinks or a Churchill Cigar. An entire joint isn't that benign. It creates a level of impairment that's rather intense.

It should be just as illegal to drive high as it is driving drunk.

Edited July 11, 2013 by Boges

[The_Squid]

I think the masses are probably more comfortable with the defacto decriminalization status we're in now where people aren't even fined for personal use.

6 month investigation to bust a drug paraphernalia shop doesn't seem like a good use of officer time to me...

http://www.thenorthernview.com/news/213352841.html

The activist in the article also claims that since Harper took power there have been double the amount of charges for possession. I don't know if he is correct, but any charges at all does not seem like defacto decriminalization to me...

Legalization will mean dispensaries like the LCBO where products are sold at a high level of taxation.

Possibly, but not necessarily.

It should be just as illegal to drive high as it is driving drunk.

It already is...

Any decriminalization or legalization does not mean that impaired driving laws would change to allow it. It's illegal to drive while on perfectly legal medications that would make you impaired.

[G Huxley]

The only reason there's laws against growing tobacco at home is because the governments are in the pockets of Big Tobacco.

Although there is everything wrong about this, the biggest problem I have is the assault on Canadian sovereignty. Why the hell did Canada allow a Canadian citizen to be sent to a U.S. prison in the first place?

[guyser]

.

Although there is everything wrong about this, the biggest problem I have is the assault on Canadian sovereignty. Why the hell did Canada allow a Canadian citizen to be sent to a U.S. prison in the first place?

Because he was convicted and we have an extradition treaty with the US.

Works both ways

The sovereignty angle is hyperbolic and without foundation.

Edited July 11, 2013 by Guyser2

[G Huxley]

Completely with foundation. We sent a Canadian political leader to the U.S. based on selling nature's seeds. Obviously we don't value our sovereignty or integrity.

[guyser]

Completely with foundation. We sent a Canadian political leader to the U.S. based on selling nature's seeds. Obviously we don't value our sovereignty or integrity.

Political leader? Uh....naw, politician maybe, not a leader in any stretch

We sent him because he was tried, convicted in accordance with US law.

Obviously you dont value honesty and integrity. But thats ok.

What you really dont know is I think its a ridiculous charge and sentence. But he knew it could happen and did it anyway. Martyrs tend to do that