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The true North, stoned and free

REBECCA DUBE

From Monday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 3:01 AM EDT 16/07/07

The list is in, and we're quite high on it. So what's behind Canadians' enthusiasm for marijuana? ...Read the full article

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  1. Rae Vandenberg from Canada writes: I don't smoke marijuana, nor do I drink alcohol and smoke tobacco. However, as a taxpayer, I wish the drug/plant would be decriminalized. I resent the amount of money used to police the drug. I also think the number of homes being destroyed to grow a plant indoors is ridiculous.

    I'd rather see the money spent on better addiction programs in health departments and in education. If you don't smoke and drive, you're over 18, and you manage to pay your taxes, hold down employment and treat your family and neighbours in a kind and just manner, I don't really care what you smoke or drink.

    However, given that we share a border with the USA, I don't think decriminalizing pot will happen any time soon.
  2. Bruce Rideout from Victoria, Canada writes: Uh Ok UH good topic uh OK wow... I'm fortunate in that I don't drink... It's sure lonely at the top eH?
  3. Bruce Rideout from Victoria, Canada writes: Seriously folks ,, dont do drugs... You don'y want to be labelled unconpliant. Better to be nice and boring like the BORG
  4. Bruce Rideout from Victoria, Canada writes: Seriously folks,,, do LOTS of drugs... Big PHARMA will love you...
  5. Jim Shepherd from Lima, Peru writes: Honesty, a rare trait indeed.

    Personally, I tend to avoid drugs of all kinds, but a glass of white wine after dinner is always welcome...

    As for marijuana, or cocaine, or whatever, just legalize the stuff and tax the hell out of it.

    This beats the hell out of multi-billion dollar narcotraficantes and their local minions across the street from school yards.

    The local PTA could deal with the problem with baseball bats, or alternately, the dealers could spend a week at Dr. Shepherd's summer camp for attitude re-adjustment, featuring mud bath total immersion, and simulated hangings.

    Far better to just legalize the stuff, and let the user pay. Best Regards.
  6. Bruce Rideout from Victoria, Canada writes: Hopefully by the time I am old it will either be legal or I will be in decrepit enough condition to be elegible for a doobie by prescription..
  7. Bruce Rideout from Victoria, Canada writes: How about just legalizing it so we can all lose this permanent sensation of living in THE KREMLIN
  8. D. S. from Maple Grove, Canada writes: Wellllllll...., put that in your pipe and smoke it. I can't speak for others, but a few hours delay in having a morning coffee, and/or its companion cigarette triggers real effects. I've occasionally been off cigarettes and it's tough.
    The other 'smoke' is slightly missed after one day, perhaps thought about the second day, and forgotten the third. Ok, that's me. But I wish tobacco, was like that.
    It's the least addictive substance I've consumed from the list of alcohol, tobacco, coffee and weed. And it is in fact the only one in that list that enhances the artistic experience of films or music. The drawback is that the film or music experience seems less memorable later despite the intensity at the time.
  9. Reza Etezal from Toronto, Canada writes: in toronto, there seems to be a tacit acceptance of marijuana use - by both the general public and the police. obviously this differs from neighborhood to neighborhood and by division to division.
    jake (the man, the cops, &c.) seems to concern itself with petty marijuana use in more well to do neighborhoods. cops in richmond hill, for example, have no qualms, after being called regarding a noise complaint, with kicking down a front door and searching the house and going off the handle once they find a few roaches (read joint butts) in an ashtray, threatening to arrest all 40 guests. and these cops were in their early 20s. division 2 (york region) must have been quiet that night, they were probably bored.
    on the other hand, another set of (20-something year old) cops have no problem with overlooking a bag containing several grams of weed on the table and giving a friendly reminder to keep the music down once being called in for the same reason (noise).
    on the same note, i smell reefer on the streets on a regular basis. i have seen people smoking joints while walking or crossing the street. i won't lie, i do the same when i'm near home, downtown.
    thank you mr harper for leaving the persecution of marijuana users dependent on the attitude of individual officers. you are a god sent.
  10. Bruce Rideout from Victoria, Canada writes: The first time my friend showed me his 'roaches',,, I thought he was showing me a box of wierd bugs LOL Took me about ten years to figure it out...
  11. Daddy Longlegs from Victoria, Canada writes: For me personally it certainly is a better (and cheaper) choice than drinking which leads to wife/child abuse, assaults, drunk driving (vehicular manslaughter), unwanted pregnancies, and a host of other irresponsible activities.

    The one thing I don't agree with is this idea that its illegality is what makes it attractive to people. Anyone who smokes will be aware that it is illegal but unless your dealing it doesn't really cross the minds of people. I don't even consider the illegality of it on a day to day basis and it certainly doesn't make it more appealing. I think the 'straights' would be surprised that by and large pot smokers are good citizens and don't break any laws other than smoking pot.
  12. John McCaffery from Warragul, Australia writes: I'm not so sure it has anything to do with working long hours; on the contrary, the excessive use of pot is more likely a combination of a decent disposable income, plenty of leisure time and long hours in doors, oh and, no ice-hockey during the summer and simply lousy commercialized ice-hockey during the winter!
  13. Will Partridge from Delhi, Canada writes: It irks me that so many papers quote from UN studies, but never give a link so people can see the actual study.

    Here's a link to the section of the report that this article is based on. You'll see a table with drug 'abuse' rates for all drugs, listed by country. I don't know how they define 'abuse'; the G&M article seems to be using the same numbers for 'usage'.

    http://www.unodc.org/pdf/research/wdr07/WDR20073.5.1annualprevalence.pdf
  14. Will Partridge from Delhi, Canada writes: Hmm, seems like underscores are stripped from urls. Sorry. I guess I can't post the link.
  15. Cedric Nagy from Tofino, BC, Canada writes: Am I the only one that thinks it's hilarious that the article writer's last name is 'Dube'?
  16. Jodie Emery from Vancouver, BC, Canada writes: First of all, the post claiming to be from 'Mrs. Mark Emery' is not by Marc Emery's wife. I am Marc Emery's wife, Jodie Joanna Emery.

    Secondly, my comments:

    We do not need to arrest more pot smokers in Canada. We do not need to add more cannabis criminal records to the 1.5 million that already exist (according to the John Howard Society), far more than the 600,000 Canadian citizens being reported.

    The United States drug war example is a horrifying, expensive failure of a policy that sees police arresting 784,000 Americans every year for marijuana alone. The United States has 5% of the world’s population, but 25% of the world’s prisoners. That’s an incarceration rate more than six times higher than Canada per capita, locking 2,150,000 American citizens behind bars. (Fact check it if you want!)

    Those numbers should tell us where continued reefer madness and prohibition would lead us, just as it has south of the border. America’s ever-expanding drug war has only caused higher demand, more availability, stronger potency, lower prices, and increased usage rates – not to mention a financial bonanza for organized crime, the only group currently in control of the industry.

    Can we just legalize it already?

    Jodie Emery
    Cannabis Culture Magazine
  17. fergus macduff from United Kingdom writes: i can't feel my legs.....
  18. Pearls before Swine from Anytown, Canada writes: “You're putting in way too many hours at work, you just want to go out and relax,” says one recreational user, a business owner and married father of three who smokes pot several times a month. Marijuana, he explains, allows busy professionals to “maximize your leisure time.” My sentiments exactly. I put in an honest day's work, but I want my* time to be mine. With two working professionals that can be difficult. I've always referred to the after-work doobie as my version of Superman's phonebooth - out of my work space, into my personal space. Where I've also been quite productive, by the way. So f*k off with the judgmental crap and discriminatory laws, and leave us tokers alone.
  19. Rachelle W from Kirkland, WA, United States writes: The CIBC ad beside this blog could have used someone with nicer looking feet. The person is flat-footed and has a bunion. Ha! Noo... I am not on marijuana.
  20. garlick toast from mill village, Canada writes: i wonder what the situation is with marc emory.he was charged with selling seeds by mail in the u.s.
  21. Mr. Reilly from writes: What none of you have read is that the province of Quebec has more pot smokers thatn any of the other provinces and if it was not for the high incicdence of pot smokers in Quebec Canada would never have made the list at all. So chalk up another one for our little bilingual druggies in La Belle Province or perhaps more like La Weed Province
  22. garlick toast from mill village, Canada writes: more than b.c.?
  23. Duncan K from expat, Canada writes: Glad to see the legalize and tax regiment out in force: it is the ONLY sane option for dealing with any choice that only affects the chooser and indirectly society. (ie. 'victimless') For anyone who cares to think it through, wikipedia has an excellent page with references dedicated to the arguments for and against legalisation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arguments_for_and_against_drug_prohibition
  24. Lemmy Nothor from BCN, Spain writes: Mr. Reilly from writes: What none of you have read is that the province of Quebec has more pot smokers thatn any of the other provinces and if it was not for the high incicdence of pot smokers in Quebec Canada would never have made the list at all. So chalk up another one for our little bilingual druggies in La Belle Province or perhaps more like La Weed Province

    ********************************************************

    Quebec will have to change it's motto, due to loss memory, from ' Je me souviens' to,' Oussekison mes clefs?'
  25. Winged Avenger from Toronto, Canada writes: Legalize..If not then decriminalize. Although I have lowered my weed intake I still enjoy it about 2-3 times a week. I think another reason that Canada is tops is due to the availability of good herbs at reasonable prices...Canada always comes on top in the weed quality dpt. Also look at the prices of weed here compared to the U.S. it's crazy.
  26. Ernest T Bass from United States writes: I don't care if they legalize it as long as they make driving while high still highly (pun intended) illegal.
  27. Nite Owl from Calgary, Canada writes: Can't we stop sacrificing our children on the alter of American justice. Make no mistake,the American Taliban is in charge down south. The only difference is they pray to a different savior. We need to choose our own direction as a people.
  28. Some Other Guy from Canada writes: Make it an election issue.
  29. John Silverman from Canada writes: I think it should be legalized. I also agree about what the article said about hard working people using it. I know quite a few professionals who work alot of hours, have alot of stress/responsibility, who smoke regularly, and I think one reason is because of how hard they work, they need a way to relax in their rare downtime, and drinking alcohol doesn't fit with their schedules/lives.
  30. Daddy Longlegs from Victoria, Canada writes: It's funny that the only way pro-legalization supporters can interest anyone in the idea is by proposing it be taxed...the way to the government's heart is through taxes...always has been.

    Really though, the fact the prohibition laws are stupid should be enough reason. It should be legal and we should be allowed to grow it for our own use...it is the one of the only drugs that can be utilized simply by picking and adding flame...no modification necessary
  31. Major Pain from Canada writes: Doesn't lack of motivation happen AFTER you smoke? How would lack of motivation lead you to decide to track down a dealer and start smoking pot? After all, that takes some effort.
  32. scott thomas from Canada writes: Very, very strange of Dr. de Goias to say that 'We have a very progressive economy, and a tendency to be overprotective of personal rights, much more so than other countries.' as if it's 'symptomatic of a collective lack of ambition.' I would think it's quite the opposite. Socially conservative logic at work.
  33. Lemmy Nothor from BCN, Spain writes: Sell growing permits...........this way, Ottawa makes a few pennies, and leaves the growing to us. Last time Ottawa decided to grow weed, it cost 25 million $ to set up shop !!???? With 25 millions I could grow eeed for the entire north american continent..........whoever is in Flin Flon, sure doesn't have a green thumb.
    No, government shoud definitely keep it's nose out. If they'd charge a 100$ a yearfor a permit to grow fifteen plants...........in the first day of issue they would have line ups all over the country. Markets would crumble ......within a year, everyone is holding............Hell's Angels can stuff it!
  34. Jack Ryan from Toronto, Canada writes: Legalize it! Charging and convicting people for what is essentially a victim-less act is cruel and unnecessary punishment, and therefore a violation of Section 12 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; 'Everyone has the right not to be subjected to any cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.' Legalize it!
  35. Stephen Bond from Toronto, Canada writes: The complete ignorance of the law in this country continues to astound me. The question of what the laws with regard to marijuana should be is a fairly complex issue and there is an extremely strong case for legalizing and regulating use. That being said, reading the posts made on this forum by you would think we lived in a country where the rule of law was not respected and did not apply to all people equally. Each and every person in this forum that has admitted to smoking marijuana has broken the criminal code. Yes, for all of us that may have forgotten it is still a criminal act in this country to possess marijuana. The continued blind eye turned to such a large segment of our population engaging in criminal activity discuss me as a citizen who pays taxes and obeys the laws as they stand. The fact is those who break laws in this country, whether they are laws they agree with or not, should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Its time police began attacking this problem by treating users like criminals instead of turning a blind eye. Until police and the courts began making even small time users serve significant jail time for their CRIMINAL offence three things will never happen. First we will never be able to stand up and have a moral leg to stand on when criticizing governments like that of Afghanistan for catering to a criminal industry, because we will be doing the same thing. Second, we will never be able to actually determine whether it is possible to remove marijuana from our society. Third the full cost to society of this law which seems to be a little unreasonable will never be realized, potentially detracting from momentum toward legalization.
  36. PETER BELL from Canada writes: Aging population living longer, fewer hospital beds, shortage of doctors and nurses: our government will have no choice and will be forced to:
    .
    1. Legalize pot and give it free of charge to people dying of cancer.
    Tax the rest of the pot like cigarettes and liquor.
    .
    2. Buy the whole poppy crop from Afghanistan so that hospitals
    have access to cheap pain-killers like heroin. Patients will be kept
    very quiet and need fewer nurses.
  37. bob tillman from Southern Ontario, Canada writes: Hey fergus macduff from United Kingdom i bet the reason you can't feel your legs is because you got your hands on some premium Canadian weed! There is a cure. Smoke another and then you won't be so concerned that you can't feel your legs anymore. You may have a problem with the lack of feeling in your arms however! LOL

    My 2 cents...put it on the next election as an issue on our election ballots. You may just see an election turnout record and we will get the government we deserve. If we don't like the government we get at least we have weed!
  38. Sarah Bee from Canada writes: Lemmy!
    't'es a laisser dans le frigo - tes cles, c'est a dire. J'ai faim. On peut-tu commender une bonne poutine?'

    Weed is lovely and would be lovelier still were it legal. Not gonna stop me though.

    Fergus - are you sure you have legs?
  39. Rob Misek from Canada writes: Canadians don't want to fill our roads and workplaces with more drug addicts.

    Our safety shouldn't be jeopardized because you want to escape the reality of acting responsibly.

    When the effect of a mind altering drug can be immediately detected and prosecuted by police it may be considered for legalization.

    The irony is that stoners don't have the grey matter to develop such a test and nobody else cares to.
  40. jeff franklin from Canada writes: garlick toast from ontario:

    Marc Emery is facing extradition to the USA for selling/ sending pot seeds to the USA.

    If Marc Emery is tried and convicted of these crimes in the USA, he faces a Life Sentence@ 35 years in a USA Super Prison.

    Marc Emery has been called a 'Drug King Pin' by Former USA DEA Chief John Walters.

    Seems Former USA DEA Chief John Walters has a personal axe to grind with Marc Emery. Marc Emery attended a USA DEA/RCMP etc. Anti Drug Dinner in Vancouver. Mr. Walters was the Chief Speaker. The USA DEA's Top Cop had every one of his Reefer Madness like platitudes calmly refuted by Mr. Emery, along with some occasional well deserved heckling.

    Needless to say the USA's DEA Chief was none too pleased by made to look like a fool by a Canadian Cannabis Seed Seller. Marc Emery who has paid taxes on his seed sales to various Canadian Gov'ts. and Agencies, is now a marked man by the USA DEA and faces up to 35 years in a USA Gulag for selling cannabis seeds. A naturally occuring plant that humans have used for over four thousand years.

    Free the BC 3.

    Drug Peace Not Drug War.



  41. Jason Yustin from writes: 55 per cent of Canadians believe marijuana should be legal, according to an Angus Reid poll conducted this June.

    Hoo-ray for Canada. Now if only our politicians would get with the program and decriminalize marijuana.

    Imagine if all the money currently going to organized crime and a useless 'war on drugs' (as a result of our current prohibition policy) were re-directed towards health care, social programs and renewable energy...
  42. J L from Toronto, Canada writes: Canada is a generally boring place and we work way too much so escapism is probably a necessity for many people...
  43. Flinton Rice from Toronto, Canada writes: It's a better drug than alcohol - alcohol causes less violence and bad decision making. There are 2 points that I wanted to bring up: Toronto was thinking about making one of the islands a 'red light distrcit'. If you had a district where pot, hash, mushrooms and prostitution was legal - then I think we would probably become a TOP tourist destination in North America. We would be the NA version of Amsterdam. Of course there would be some undesirables, but it would do absolute wonders for tourism and the cities profile. Canadian financial capital is also America's pot city. Second, if pot were legalized, we would hear incessant crap through the media blaming this or that on pot. We would hear warnings of addictions, car accidents, blaming random crimes on pot and children 'all of a sudden' being addicted. I think that if we legalized it, the media would have a field day and it would be banned again in a couple years. Look at the opening of this article and the stereotypes that it plays up on pot smokers. BTW, the writer is not even a bit funny and is so 680. Regardless of what happens with pot, we really need to start looking at alcohol control a little more seriously. Growing up, I've seen it ruin and kill at a rate that is mind-numbing. Not only is it legal but its rampant over use is not even a bit concerning to anyone - and is even celebrated.
  44. Red Ensign is our glory! Real Canadian pride! from Canada writes: if you can grow it in your backyard, it should be legal. if your over the age of majority, you should be free to decide how you live your life. whether thats suicide, riding a motorbike without a helmet, smoking tobacco, doing the occasional rail or smoking pot. your body is yours first and foremost. and the idea of 'age of majority' is that free citizens don't need to be governed or nannied by the state. that most citizesn will conduct themselves in a way that keeps the peace, doesn't harm or interfere with their fellow citizens or damage property. the age of majority also means that the odd ball that does go to far is to be held fully accountable for their actions. if you chose to to drink too much, shoot morphine, smoke pot, drive with no seatbelt, ride with no helmet, you likely pay more than enough taxes to suport our socialists health care regime, that it still shouldnt be anyone else's business how you conduct yourself in private if your not causing any harm, risk or interference beyond your person.
  45. Lauren Chen from Canada writes: i have no problem with smoking pot... but i do agree that abuse is bad... but, of all the potheads and random smokers i know, i have yet to meet someone who is dependant on pot... and i still think that pot should be legalized! nicotine/cigarettes and alcohol are more addictive than pot, and they're legal... but this is just a former pothead and current recreational user speaking...
  46. diana diana from Toronto, Canada writes: I am an elderly person when the doctors starting prescribing drugs for my glaucoma, arthritus, ulcerative coilitus - I said no way - I am going back to organic medicine - weed. My doctor agreed with me. I was terrified of constantly having to worry about the police - picturing myself being strip searched, not being able to find the proper product for my ailments. Medicinal pot has enabled me to actually hold down a high productive, 60 hours a week job - and this is after the doctor told me I would have to go on 'disability'. My colleagues drink and smoke nicotine - their right - but my civil rights are being violated. Legalize it. Use your democratic right - VOTE.
  47. Peter Bud from Canada writes: I was going to write a profound post but I forgot it.
  48. garlick toast from mill village, Canada writes: how ironic that the pcp's[cpc's]are sponsoring a ride in the nascar north series.stock car racing grew out of moonshiners and bootleggers in kentucky and the carolinas.
    in canada some notable families prospered from prohibition.can't mention the names or my post goes to cyber purgatory.
    a vote for prohibition is a vote for organized crime,that's a fact.
    i wish cops would address the real drug problems,like oxycontin.big pharma is manufacturing way more'hillbilly heroin'than can ever be legitimately consumed.watch the doc.'cottonland'.it's shocking.
  49. Allan Franklin from Toronto, Canada writes: Two words, Legalize and Tax. Well ok, 3 words.
  50. Flinton Rice from Toronto, Canada writes: Hey Stephen Bond - your points stink. Heroin is not the same as marijuana - if you choose to be that binary about it then you can't be part of any intelligent discussion. If so, then alcohol and tobacco should be the same as meth and cocaine. Except the two legal ones kill a tonne more people. So legality aside, if we're intelligent human beings, we can do what's best for us and victimless crimes should not be equated to having complete disregard for the law.

    Also, a super idiot point - if everone stopped smoking pot then that would increase the momentum for legalization?????? No, that is a stupid argument - perhaps one of the worst I've seen on G&M. If nobody smoked marijuana, then they wouldn't legalize it because nobody smokes it. I know that's a hard one to figure out.

    Finally, do you ever speed on the highway? Since you're so binary about breaking the law then is that ignorance toward the law causing enormous problems?
  51. Kat Mort from K-W, Canada writes: To Bruce from Vancouver,

    'Hopefully', by the time you're old, you will have learned how to spell. Since you're probably a product of that brilliant initiative from the 1990s -- 'creative spelling', I fear that will not happen. I'm sure your pot-smoking has nothing to do with it.
  52. jeff franklin from Canada writes: Stephen Bond from Toronto:

    'even small time users face significant JAIL TIME'.

    It's been done Mr. Bond. The USA Prison system houses about 25% of the worlds prison population. Just under half of that USA prison population are incarcerated for non violent drug offenses.

    The Drug War is Big Bu$ine$$ in the USA. Police, Prisons for Profit, Pharmaceutical Industries etc. all benefit from the USA Led War On Drugs.

    The Nixonian initiated USA War on Drugs has been a failure after 37 years. Illegal Drugs are now more available, more potent than ever before.

    After 37 years, countless deaths and tens of Billions of $ spent let's try a New Tack.

    Rob Misek from Canada:

    You read like one of those USA Anheuser Busch Promo's:

    'Alcohol can be enjoyed responsibly, there is no safe level of marijuana use

    Visit your local hospital's ICU and see how many people 'enjoy/have enjoyed' alcohol responsibly.

    Jerk.

    Peace.

  53. garlick toast from mill village, Canada writes: interesting take on the war on drugs by harper's magazine index,from a couple of years ago:'of those inclined to use cocaine,the majority of whites snort the powder.the majority of blacks smoke crack.the penalty for posession of coke, a fine.for crack,jail.who says justice is blind.
  54. Brett Tremblay from Canada writes: Cedric Nagy -- I saw the same thing (and took a second look at the top of the page after scrolling downa few paragraphs to confirm it) and was about to post the same thing as you did. Can it be a coincidence or did some one at G&M have a subtle sense of humour when they assigned her this story?
  55. Sarah Bee from Canada writes: Diana diana - right on! My dad is in the same boat and was put on all kinds of opiates for a chronic pain disorder. They made him unable to work or even carry on conversation, and they didn't end his pain. He was suicidal as a result. I introduced him to pot and he has written and published two books in 10 months, continues to be productively employed, and most important, has quality of life and happiness.

    If we would just legalize already we would take the marijuana trade out of the hands of the gangs. It irks me that in order for my dad to be well, I may indirectly be putting money into Hell's Angels' hands when I pick up his supply.

    Anyone with a brain can see that crystal meth and pot shouldn't be lumped into the same category.
  56. John Doucette from Manotick, Canada writes: Take a look at our idiot neighbours with their guns and constant fights!
    Take a look at our stupid leadership!
    Take a look at our foreign-owned economy with all the wealth flowing out to others!

    Is it any wonder need we need drugs?
    Its the last bastion of Canadian owned, free-enterprise capitalism.
    God bless our Canadian colony!
  57. Andrew Bain from Ottawa, Canada writes: Contrary to popular belief, weed hash and mushrooms are not legal in Amsterdam. The police have adopted a 'look the other way' policy aimed to attract tourists. It is a rather surreal environment where a simple walk down a 150 metre long street will see the average person being offered (multiple times) cocaine, ecstasy and all the other hard drugs that do not fall under the look the other way policy. Even the cafes have signs saying no ‘hard drugs.’ The amount of pushers almost ruins the experience of the city, I fear a red light district in Toronto would attract the same element.
  58. The Wet One from Edmonchuk, Canada writes: My fellow Canadians I respectfully submit the following to you:

    Herein we have evidence of the strong argument that marijuana use should not be illegal.

    A. Most people do it.
    B. Hardly anyone is harmed by it (I know some of you know this from experience)
    C. Having a law on the books that 55% of people ignore is bad for the reputation of the law
    D. In a democratic and free society, where the majority of people want to do something, where that something causes little or no harm (unlike say alcohol), and where the majority of people think that something should be legal, it sure as heck ought not be illegal.

    E. Notwithstanding the fact that we are a protectorate of the fanatical, puritanical, U.S.A., we can at least pretend to be masters of our own house and pass our own laws in respect of purely Canadian behaviour and cultural norms.

    I rest my case.

    The Wet One
  59. Robert Sweet from West coast, Canada writes: If you are worried about others driving after smoking pot
    relax.
    I just googled driving while high. Twenty years of studies into driving while under the influnce of marijuana have conclued there is no problem and it may improve driving.
  60. Canuck NBer from Toronto, Canada writes: It seems to me that one of the interesting questions studies like this raise is the theory that marijuana is a gateway drug to other harder drugs. It seems to me that, if this were the case, we would see correlating high rates of pot usage in countries that also have high rates of heroin and cocaine use. This doesn't necessarily seem to be the case. Causality is a notoriously difficult statistical beast but these sorts of numbers do bring the claim by the 'keep the ban' people into question.

    As for the reporting issue, I believe that this might have some merit. For the last 20 or so years I have included mention of my recreational marijuana use on all medical forms I have filled out. I started this while living in Canada. During a 10 year stint while I was living in the US, I continued this practice and the reaction among the medical community there was dramatically different (ranging from overtly negative to preachiness to shock) from the medical community in Canada (typically a brief nod of the head and carry on). I was shocked by the narrow-mindedness towards pot. Upon returning to Canada I saw a dramatic difference, again, in response to this admission. Again, I was shocked. This time by the liberal attitude of Canadians towards pot. My suspicion is that Canadians are much more forthcoming about these habits than people in the US.
  61. i have to laugh from Toronto, Canada writes: Ok. Here's two scenarios: 1. Husband comes home from a long hard day at the office. Wife serves his daily pitcher of martinis. Husband drinks same. Wife serves dinner. Dinner sucks. Husband gets irate and beats wife in alcohol-induced rage then goes out to visit mistress. Wife stays on because big house and money is good. Wife pops her prescription valium or oxycontin. Everyone is happy. 2. Husband comes home from a long hard day at work. Wife rolls his daily after-work joint. Husband smokes same. Wife serves dinner. It is delicious because husband smoked pot. Husband commends wife for a wonderful meal and asks her what she would like to do for the evening. Wife doesn't need pills. Everyone is happy. Now, which scenario is worse? You get it. Shouldn't our lawmakers?
  62. The Loyal Canadian Work Farce from Canada writes: Only 16.8% of Canadians have smoked grass in the last year? Pity. The other 83.2% presumably get high on hypocrisy. By the way, what do the folks in Zambia do when they get 'the munchies'? Eat cake?
  63. Sarah Bee from Canada writes: Actually, both these scenarios suck since women haven't been chained to the kitchen for, I don't know, 50 years?

    But the point is we're still happier with pot. And work, too, by the way.
  64. i have to laugh from Toronto, Canada writes: Hey Sarah Bee... it was meant to be just a little tongue-in-cheek humour. I know that men are usually better in the kitchen these days :-)
  65. F H from Canada writes: Most of us are educated enough to know it's far less addictive than tobacco or alcohol. In fact, it's so non-addictive that most medical professionals state it's merely habit forming.

    Now that it's stronger than ever before, people have been able to smoke less in order to get the same feeling, thus cutting down dramatically on any potential lung damage inflicted by heavy smoking.

    As for a road side test for it, I'm all for it as long as there are also road side tests for sleeping pills, valium, etc. which affect a persons driving more adversally than a little THC.

    Legalize it, get it out of the hands of the criminal middle men, tax it and distribute it like other mood altering substances such as alcohol and tobacco, with an 'over-19' selling age and considerable fines to anyone under that age caught smoking. It should never be a criminal offence.
  66. W ho from Canada writes: During the last federal-election, party-leaders all posed for photo-ops sampling brewery and winery products. The alcohol-industry, multi-national pharmaceutical-companies and police
  67. Sarah Bee from Canada writes: i have to laugh:
    I couldn't hear your cheekiness through the stereotypes.
    Thanks for clearing it up. Now I have to laugh too!
  68. Don't Feed The Trolls!! - Nathan from Canada writes: Sorry, can anyone clarify a single benefit of using enormous amounts of police resources trying to control a substance that the majority of the population doesn't want to be illegal.

    If the goal was to reduce the amount of pot smoked (questionable, but many would take that as a good premise), it does not seem that labeling it a criminal activity is a very productive approach.
  69. Mr Fijne from Calgary, Canada writes: Canada at the top of something? Smoking pot... look forward to more car accidents from stoned drivers, protected by the law while victims can just take a hike in their wheelchairs... Pot head Canadians: that explains it now!
  70. Sarah Bee from Canada writes: And just to add to the humour, sadly, it makes no difference to my husband whether or not he's smoked a joint - he still finds my cooking abysmal!
  71. i have to laugh from Toronto, Canada writes: Sarah - oh thank God. I was so upset that someone may have been mad at me that I had to run outside and smoke a joint. Thanks... I feel better!
  72. F H from Canada writes: 'Rob Misek writes: When the effect of a mind altering drug can be immediately detected and prosecuted by police it may be considered for legalization.'

    I take it you're all for making sleeping pills, valium, anti-depressants, etc. illegal then as there are no road-side tests for them?
  73. B to the A to the R to the T from the left coast., Canada writes: Pot is like the 800lb Gorilla in the room. No one talks about it. A few are scared of it. Some think he's cute. The gov't contend its a problem but have found no solution. In the mean time he's eating all resources thrown at him.

    Legalize it already! I'm glad statistics like that are coming out. We are a nation of pot smokers just like we are a nation of beer drinkers. I think both enhance the human experience.
  74. Pete H from Canada writes: i have to laugh from Toronto ; What about the third scenario. 3. Husband comes home from hard day at work. Husband and wife relax while having dinner with kids who provide further stress relief by telling them how there day went. After dinner the whole family goes out to watch one or all of the kids playing sports. Real or fantasy world? You'd be surprised how many Canadians enjoy their day and life without alcohol or weed.
  75. Sarah Bee from Canada writes: Pete - no one is saying that people aren't entitled to the third scenario. The legal system as it stands today IS telling me I'm not entitled to the second scenario though (minus my bad cooking). That's the difference.
  76. The Natrix from Toronto, Canada writes: Even if it were to be decrimminalized, there would still probably be people getting arrested for growing and distributing it illegally as I doubt they'll allow any joe schmoe to grow it and sell it without a license or something.

    I don't have a problem with smoking a joint here and there outside, but they'd better not enjoy their joint at a coffee shop or some social place and then step into a car and drive home because 1 hour has passed by and that it should have dissolved or something.
  77. Will ll from Maritimes, Canada writes: The USA has a war on it so we have to enforce it here and lock people up destroying lives. This is a sovereignty issue, we know its not that bad but we just cant stand up to a pushy neighbour. Does anyone want to vote for a politician with a spine or do we keep electing those same old crooked parties? (the liberals did come close to decriminalizing but we chose the conservatives to replace them before it happened and it was far from legalizing anyway) The whole slow the boarder down argument doesn’t work in the post 911 world unless they will look harder for weed then explosives.
  78. Blair Langmuir from Reality, what a concept, Canada writes: 'I think my after dinner joint should be as legal as my before dinner cocktail.'

    - Mary Tyler Moore
  79. i have to laugh from Toronto, Canada writes: Pete... I truly enjoy every day, whether or not I've smoked a joint. And I used to be one of those parents you elude to in your post. Now that I'm a grandfather, I'll look forward again to those extracurricular activities I enjoyed with my own children. You'll learn one day that life takes you in a lot of different directions. I'm just glad that every direction I've gone in has been the right one for me. You'll also learn that Stepford can only be found in fiction and movies.
  80. Ryan Fillmore from Sackville, Canada writes: Wooohoooo!!!! Grow... oops, I mean GO Canada! Smoke it up and enjoy!!
  81. gordon mcpherson from Ottawa, Canada writes: '...everybody must get stoned...', odd, no mention of Canada's long, cold winters... Now with many folks staying home with their Wii-Xbox-Nintendos-large screen, surround sound quadrifonia home entertainment systems getting obese on pizza and beer, it goes without saying that POT is part of the mix. Some of the best BUD is grown in BC (exported to the U.S.) and Quebec (subsidizes the low paid farmers) and other places and Canada's productivity is good i.e. the strong Canadian dollar, interest rates are low, the Boomers are approaching retirement en masse... Canadians work hard, are underpayed for the most part i.e. comparative wages survey since 1975 reported in G&M... We smoke to stay sane on this crazy planet and to laugh with friends! Now that the Boomers will be retiring think of the possibilities...pot smoking or brownies to go fishing, gardening, relaxing etc. The future looks good.
  82. Rob Misek from Canada writes: The faulty logic of the marijuana users posting here is something that must be seen and recognized.

    Its pretty obvious that things are 'funny' when they don't make sense, and that even faulty logic may be a revelation to the ignorant, both common conditions among stoners.

    Here are just a few examples:

    Diana insists that hers is for 'medicinal' reasons only but supports that it should be legalized as a civil right for stoners everywhere. Perhaps she appreciates mind altering more than the pain relieving effects.

    John Doucette thinks Canadians use more pot because we don't have guns, or participate in wars and somehow have a monopoly on poor leadership and foreign business ownwership. Does he need more or less drugs?

    Robert Sweet says we can relax because he 'googled' and stoners make better drivers. If that isn't proof enough for legalization, what is?

    The wet one can't understand that 16% usage doesn't represent most people in Canada. What does he understand?

    My point is not only to pick on these unlucky four, but to show that any argument to legalize or simply increase marijuana usage, is based on faulty logic.
  83. Jim Mohagan from Toronto, Canada writes: posted here a few months ago:

    Drunk drivers run through red lights, potheads stop at green ones.
  84. Ernest T Bass from United States writes: Robert Sweet, you can't be serious.
  85. David Smith from Toronto, Canada writes: Over the years the dreaded weed has been both attacked and defended by various members of the medical/scientific community. However, one can cut through any confusion over which side is right and which isn't. If there is a so-called expert out there willing to claim that marijuana (yes, even with its current potentcy) is more dangerous than alcohol and tobacco, then that person is no expert. Weed is the elephant in the room of our justice system in that it's users are clealry nowhere near the drain on public institutions that alcohol and tabacco users can be but it is illegal, and they are NOT! Anything we take into our system can be dangerous, probably including any number of basic food stuffs. Smoking weed is clealry not doing one's lungs any favours but smoking cigarettes is far more lethal and costly to our health system. Smoking weed may well have a negative effect on certain mental functions like short term memory but it causes nowhere near the chaos of alcohol abuse. That it is still proscribed as a dangerous drug is ludicrous to millions of Canadians when they see two other proucts that are far more dangerous and through which government at all levels has this comfortable if not pyschotic relationship of both trying to stiffle the use of these products while at the same time enjoying the financial benefits of taxing them. Why not do the same thing with that third product which is clearly not as great a social problem as the two legal entities. It is, in a word, ridiculous.
  86. Mister J from The Forest City, Canada writes: As a daily pot smoker, I obviously do not want to go to jail for smoking weed (...though I've never really been that concerned).

    But I think taxing it would be a bad idea. I can't imagine how terrible the weed would be if gov't were growing it! That, and there's a large underground economy that would still persist and would easily compete with the gov't selling it.

    For now, as a first step, I think possessing a small amount ought to be legal - a 'small amount' being less than the 30 grams the Liberals had proposed - 30 grams is a lot! 30 grams is just over an ounce, which usually costs between $200 and $250. That's about the equivalent of 5 or 6 24-cases of beer! I get 7 grams ('a quarter') for $60 and it lasts me two weeks.

    Also, I appreciate Stephen Bond's comments and his willingness to follow through with the Big Other's demands (i.e. the Law). He seems to be saying, 'The law says it's a crime, so arrest them all.' 55% of the population in jail for possessing marijuana (now there's a headline for the international news!) would halt the economy, schools would close, etc. Following the demand of the Law is often the most resistive thing one can do to the Law.
  87. right elbow from PEACE Or REST IN ONE, Canada writes: Peace, man! eh?
    I hope the benefits outweighs consequencies to the populace.
  88. Pete H from Canada writes: have to laugh from Toronto - Well aren't we the presumptuous one. Thanks for the compliment there young fella, one day has already happened for me, but I guess it goes to show you that being older doesn't make you smarter, it just makes you think you're smarter. Do whatever you like with your life and rationalize it any way you like, but for the sake of your grandchildren never forget there is a third option, and it doesn't involve ingesting molecules to make things seem better.
  89. David N from Toronto, Canada writes: We should become VERY concerned if Mr Harper (aka 'Bush Lite') makes a move to privatize prisons. This is probably the real reason why America has a war on drugs ... 'You build 'em, we'll fill 'em!'

    Has anyone yet noted that the Liberals were moving towards decriminalization before we made that collective mistake and elected the neocons? Think (as much as you can!) before you cast your next federal vote!
  90. globefan EH from Canada writes: One of the reasons it isn't legal and we don't see the benefits is simply because it competes with 'pills'.

    This particular pill has the same effects, but marijuana would cost less, so of course, they insist it doesn't help chemo patients and the pills are much better.

    ****, otherwise known as ******* or *****, is a drug in the benzodiazepine class of drugs which includes most tranquilizers. ***** has many uses which include: sedative/hypnotic effects, muscle relaxant, anxiolytic (to reduce anxiety), amnesic and anticonvulsant (or to prevent seizures). It has also been used in conjunction with other drugs as an anti-emetic, which means it can stop vomiting. (chemo)(* to protect the Globe)

    So there you go, the pharmas are in bed with someone. Who remains to be seen.

    For those of you with friends who have cancer, before you do the chemicals, try the organic way. Shame on politicians for bowing to big pharma.
  91. Let me tell You How It Is-THE EXPERT from Seattle, Washington, United States writes: Canadian drug policy has been hijacked by losers and peace-freaks. MJ is used by people with undiagnosed anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. It is not natural for humans to use MJ regularly. These losers instead of seeking medical advice self-medicate themselves to feel good.
    Not suprising since Canada's psychiatric and mental health system is so underfunded and stretched to the limit.
  92. J.C. Davies from Canada writes:
    Mister J wrote: 'As a daily pot smoker, I obviously do not want to go to jail for smoking weed (...though I've never really been that concerned). But I think taxing it would be a bad idea. I can't imagine how terrible the weed would be if gov't were growing it! That, and there's a large underground economy that would still persist and would easily compete with the gov't selling it. '

    This is why any efforts to tax marijuana are doomed to fail. The Gov't will not be able to compete in quality or price. Legalization will only further enrich the gangs that control the trade.
  93. ralph klein from wild rose country, Canada writes: Dr. de Goias says the pot-smoking rates don't bother him, and he rarely sees people seeking treatment for marijuana dependence. But he thinks it's symptomatic of a collective lack of ambition.

    citing this weekends vancouver province:

    Quebec smokes rest of Canada in pot use
    David Johnston, CanWest News Service
    Published: Sunday, July 15, 2007

    MONTREAL -- Were it not for prodigious pot use in Quebec, Canada would not have placed first in a United Nations drug study of marijuana use in the industrialized world.

    In fact, were Quebec a sovereign nation, it would have finished first ahead of Canada, according to a breakdown of the data supplied by Canada for the UN study.

    what a surprise.
  94. Rick C from Canada writes: Why not add gambling to booze, and butt tax winfalls for a government. Short term gain to help re-election.
    I dont think adding something to the list, just because its less harmfull than the things that are on the list already, is a good idea. Sucking smoke into your lungs is just a bad idea. It dosent matter if its from a bus a butt or a bomber its still bad for you. It might be less bad but its still bad.