Ottawa
The Canadian government has introduced a proposal to eliminate criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana. “Does it make sense that a person who makes a bad choice can receive the lasting burden of a criminal conviction?” asked Justice Minister Martin Cauchon. Government officials said giving small-time pot smokers a break would free up police to hunt big-time drug dealers. U.S. drug czar John Walters said that if the law passed Parliament it would encourage production of Canadian marijuana, which is famously potent. That, he said, could force the U.S. to tighten border inspections, which could clog traffic and hamper trade. Cauchon said the U.S. should butt out of Canada’s affairs. “Canada is a different place with different values,” he said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
What should you be stockpiling for 'World War Three'?In the Spotlight Britons advised to prepare after the EU tells its citizens to have an emergency kit just in case
-
Carnivore diet: why people are eating only meatThe Explainer 'Meatfluencers' are taking social media by storm but experts warn meat-only diets have health consequences
-
Scientists want to fight malaria by poisoning mosquitoes with human bloodUnder the radar Drugging the bugs
