YourOttawaRegion Article: Drug prosecutor slams call to end marijuana prohibition Desmond Devoy 12345 BLACKS CORNERS – An area federal drug prosecutor and local law enforcement are slamming a letter written by several former Vancouver mayors calling for an end to the prohibition on marijuana. One-time British Columbia Premier Mike Harcourt, along with former Vancouver mayors Larry Campbell, Sam Sullivan and Philip Owen, signed a letter last week stating that “marijuana prohibition is – without question – a failed policy.†“It's against the law, that's the law of this country,†said federal drug prosecutor Mike Ross, during the Lanark County and Town of Smiths Falls municipal drug strategy steering committee's ninth networking day at the Beckwith Township municipal offices on Nov. 25. Ross noted there are exemptions for medical marijuana, which are quite stringent, but do help those in real need. “I don't think that there is enough research into the effects of marijuana,†OP-inserted Content: http://forum.grasscity.com/medical-marijuana/525051-granny-storm-crows-mmj-reference-list.html Ross said. “I don't support what is being said,†he added, of possible decriminalization or legalization. Ross' words were echoed by Const. David Murphy of the Smiths Falls Police Service. “It starts off small, like a gateway drug,†Murphy said of marijuana use. “It's not the same drug it was 30, 40 years ago.†Criminal gangs, who control the cultivation, production and distribution of marijuana, have been known to add chemicals and addictive substances to marijuana, police point out. Murphy also noted there were numerous arrests in Smiths Falls a few weeks ago during a drug sweep, and that he has seen people start off with marijuana and progress towards harder drugs. “We've seen people start off small,†Murphy said, adding that on harder drugs, many addicts later turn to crime to get money to feed their addiction. “They (drug dealers) make them do things to get money to get the drugs.†Ross also noted that if someone is arrested on a drug charge, they usually have only one shot at a court-diversion program. “A lot of people who are getting involved in drugs right now are people who have lost their jobs,†said Ross, underscoring the role poverty plays in crime and addiction. “They get drawn into this type of activity.†The letter by the four B.C. politicians was sent to MPs, MLAs and Vancouver city councillors on Nov. 23, as a way to address that province's problem with gang-related violence. TOUGH ON CRIME The Harper Conservative government is in the midst of bringing in a multitude of changes to criminal law, and mandatory minimum sentences which, it says, will reduce crime. “I think that that will change the landscape for sure,†said Ross of the incoming changes. “It is the law and we must enforce the law.†Ross also noted the new sentences will help law enforcement. “I think that the more serious offences (sentences) … will make people think twice,†said Ross. “(And) it'll hopefully (have) more creative opportunities to deal with offences.†But Ross did note there was some concern in the law enforcement community about the effect the new sentences will have on the jail system. He noted the Brockville jail is already over capacity, with inmates sleeping on the floor in cramped quarters. “It ends up in violence,†he said of such crowded conditions amongst inmates.
Picking it all apart: BLACKS CORNERS – An area federal drug prosecutor and local law enforcement are slamming a letter written by several former Vancouver mayors calling for an end to the prohibition on marijuana. To justify their existence so that they can continue cannibalizing their own people. One-time British Columbia Premier Mike Harcourt, along with former Vancouver mayors Larry Campbell, Sam Sullivan and Philip Owen, signed a letter last week stating that “marijuana prohibition is – without question – a failed policy.” “It’s against the law, that’s the law of this country,” said federal drug prosecutor Mike Ross, during the Lanark County and Town of Smiths Falls municipal drug strategy steering committee’s ninth networking day at the Beckwith Township municipal offices on Nov. 25. It should be against the law for people who profit from the law to have any say in it's reformation. Ross noted there are exemptions for medical marijuana, which are quite stringent, but do help those in real need. “I don’t think that there is enough research into the effects of marijuana,” Once again: http://forum.grasscity.com/medical-marijuana/525051-granny-storm-crows-mmj-reference-list.html Ross said. “I don’t support what is being said,” he added, of possible decriminalization or legalization. Law Enforcement and Criminal Prosecutors never agree with science. There was also a time when they didn't support the world being round and the Earth not being the center of the universe. Ross’ words were echoed by Const. David Murphy of the Smiths Falls Police Service. “It starts off small, like a gateway drug,” Murphy said of marijuana use. “It’s not the same drug it was 30, 40 years ago.” The Gateway Effect... Lumping all drugs into a common category and failing to educate people on their differences? Or perhaps allowing criminal markets to push drugs without regulation or oversight of any sort? No matter how you slice it, the Gateway Effect is the result of prohibition, not the reason behind it. As far as potency arguments are concerned, it's common knowledge that people can effectively self-regulate their intake of mind altering substances. If you don't believe me, check out any bar in the world. Increases in potency are, again, the result of prohibition. Dealers and consumers alike want to be in possession of as little marijuana as possible because prosecution focuses on amounts to determine penalties. Duh. Criminal gangs, who control the cultivation, production and distribution of marijuana, have been known to add chemicals and addictive substances to marijuana, police point out. All the more reason to remove gangs from the production and distribution processes, allowing regulated markets with oversight to handle these issues instead. The police officers are definitely not the brightest. Murphy also noted there were numerous arrests in Smiths Falls a few weeks ago during a drug sweep, and that he has seen people start off with marijuana and progress towards harder drugs. “We’ve seen people start off small,” Murphy said, adding that on harder drugs, many addicts later turn to crime to get money to feed their addiction. “They (drug dealers) make them do things to get money to get the drugs.” Again, absolute bullshit about Gateway Effect. This has been disproved time and time again. All one has to do is look towards any of the countries that have enacted decriminalization (Portugal) to see that both use of drugs and drug addiction have gone down since removing the criminal justice element. But I'm sure these officer's "don't support" these facts either Ross also noted that if someone is arrested on a drug charge, they usually have only one shot at a court-diversion program. “A lot of people who are getting involved in drugs right now are people who have lost their jobs,” said Ross, underscoring the role poverty plays in crime and addiction. “They get drawn into this type of activity.” Legalize marijuana and create jobs for these poor people! The letter by the four B.C. politicians was sent to MPs, MLAs and Vancouver city councillors on Nov. 23, as a way to address that province’s problem with gang-related violence. TOUGH ON CRIME The Harper Conservative government is in the midst of bringing in a multitude of changes to criminal law, and mandatory minimum sentences which, it says, will reduce crime. Mandatory Minimums do not decrease crime. They only increase the number of criminals. All these types of laws accomplish is taking money from the citizens and passing it along to corrections. “I think that that will change the landscape for sure,” said Ross of the incoming changes. “It is the law and we must enforce the law.” Again, there is no justification for those who profit from the law attempting to affect it's reformation. These self-serving Nazi's deserve to rot in their own jails. Ross also noted the new sentences will help law enforcement. Bingo! The only piece of truth in this entire article, in a single sentence, hanging in limbo. “I think that the more serious offences (sentences) … will make people think twice,” said Ross. “(And) it’ll hopefully (have) more creative opportunities to deal with offences.” The first sentence has been proven to be false, with the USA having been the testing ground. The second sentence makes no coherent sense whatsoever - what's so much more creative about locking someone up? Likely the context is edited as such to disguise the self-serving motivations behind the laws we're discussing. But Ross did note there was some concern in the law enforcement community about the effect the new sentences will have on the jail system. He noted the Brockville jail is already over capacity, with inmates sleeping on the floor in cramped quarters. “It ends up in violence,” he said of such crowded conditions amongst inmates. No kidding. No further response. Human life and the value of freedom obviously mean very little to these "people".