In 1972, the Trudeau government, through then Health Minister John Munro introduced
amendments to the Criminal Code to allow for the imposition of an absolute or conditional
discharge for cannabis possession. This did not result in any noticeable change in cannabis
prosecutions.
Appellant's record, Malmo-Levine, p. 88

In 1975, the Trudeau government introduced Bill S-19, which would have turned a discharge
for cannabis possession into a pardon - this proposal died on the order paper.
Appellant's record, Malmo-Levine, p. 88

Aug. 3, 1977 - Jimmy Carter promised federal "decriminalization" of cannabis to US citizens -
acting on the recommendations of Nixon's Shafer Commission - but did not act on his
promise.

-Aug. 3, 1977 Globe & Mail - see also the film "Grass" by Ron Mann, 2000

Jan. 20, 1979 - Minister of Justice Lalonde considers another bill to attempt
"decriminalization" - fines with no possibility of jail. His first attempt died in 1975.
at 00:00 mark and 9:00 mark http://archives.cbc.ca/500f.asp?id=1-69-652-3592

In 1979, Joe Clark suggested that he might decriminalize cannabis and "consider sales". He
never acted on his own suggestion.
-CBC, "Acapulco Cold", 1993 - http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1463.html at
10:30 min. & 12:40 mark

In 1980, the Trudeau government promised, in it's throne speech, to reduce the penalties for
marijuana use. Then Justice Minister Jean Chretien made similar promises. These promises
were never kept. It appears that myths surrounding it's supposedly "inherent" harms were
propagated, and the "just say no" Reagans were in the White House. The first age of canadian
pot activism was at an end.
Appellant's record, Malmo-Levine, p. 89) 11:40 mark
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1463.html

March 29 - 1993 - Kim Campbell admits to smoking cannabis in her youth. The CBC and
Tommy Chong help to launch the next era of canadian pot activism: 1:00 minute in
http://archives.cbc.ca/500f.asp?id=1-69-652-3596

In 1995, amendments to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act were "leaked" to the press.
According to the November 15th front-page headlines in at least four newspapers across
Canada, the Act would now "eliminate criminal records" by rendering them "untraceable" - a
claim that was exposed as false the next day - on page B12 of one newspaper. (Nov. 15, 1995
Winnipeg Free Press/Vancouver Sun/Toronto Sun/Edmonton Journal p. A1, Nov. 16, 1995
Vancouver Sun p. B12)

CBC Broadcast Nov. 27, 1996 Medical Marijuana goes public.
After the passage of prop 215 in California, medical marijuana became mainstream.
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-325.html
The CBC began reporting on medical marijuana with the following clip:
http://archives.cbc.ca/400d.asp?id=1-69-652-3581

In 1996, some Senators announced their support for "legal pot". When asked, the Prime
Minister said decriminalization would be "difficult to pass" but that he was not "in a position to
be judgmental ... I've had a beer or two in my time". (Vancouver Sun, May 18, May 25, 1996)

In 1997, Reform MP Keith Martin put his vision of "decriminalization" forward - "He says
penalties should be increased for marijuana possession, with much higher fines used to pay
for mandatory treatment programs for pot smokers." (Province, Feb. 12, 1997)

Mar. 3, 1999 Then Health Minister Allan Rock announces "clinical trials", "appropreate
guidelines" and a "safe supply".
http://archives.cbc.ca/500f.asp?id=1-69-652-3597 at 00:30 seconds in....

His clinical trials later turned into trials of "marinol cigarettes" - not real cannabis!
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/series/pottvseries-101-0.html
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2127.html
at 13:37 min
his "appropreate guidelines" recommended making hot tea out of it,
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2174.html
and his "safe supply" ended up being low-THC, seedy, stemmy, metalica,
chemically-fertilized, irradiated, mineshaft weed from Flin Flon Manitoba - one of Canada's top
three environmental disaster areas.
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2183.html
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2193.html

Aug. 1st, 2000, the Ontario Court of Appeal declared the prohibition of the possession of
cannabis "unconstitutional" and gave the government a year to amend it. A year later, the laws
remained on the books. (Aug. 1, 2000 Winnipeg Free Press, Toronto Sun)
http://archives.cbc.ca/400d.asp?id=1-69-652-3583

In 2001, Keith Martin was prevented from calling a free vote on cannabis "decriminalization" by
the Liberal government. (In the High Society archive at www.pot-tv.net -
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1439.html

May 2002 The Senate leaks elements of their report - the US responds negatively.
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1322.html

July 2002 Britian reclassifies cannabis into "class C" from "class B" - no jail, just a "warning".
Cauchon first floats "decrim" with fines - activists are immediately against it.
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1417.html
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1423.html
http://archives.cbc.ca/500f.asp?id=1-69-652-3600
Lots of good historical clips in this one.....
http://archives.cbc.ca/500f.asp?id=1-69-652-3601

Sept. 2-4, 2002: The Senate releases their report. Their report states:

The Committee wrote that "we should ... stop our crusade" and give up all hope of a drug-free
society. Policy should be based upon "freedom", "autonomy" and "responsibility" - "only
behavior causing demonstrable harm to others shall be prohibited". Also of note, the
Committee wrote that "used in moderation, cannabis in itself poses very little danger to users
and to society as a whole" and "even if cannabis were to have serious harmful effects, one
would have to question the relevance of using the criminal law to limit these effects". The
Senate Committee recommended setting up licensing for producing and selling cannabis
(recommendation 6) as well as amnesty for users (recommendation 7) and "impairment"
testing instead of "amount-of-substance within system" testing (recommendation 9).

- Cannabis: Our Position for a Canadian Public Policy, Sept. 2002, pp. 610-622

To put it even more plainly;
"Decriminalization is just another form of prohibition"

-Sen. Claude Nolin
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1501.html
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1504.html
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1505.html
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1507.html
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1533.html
http://archives.cbc.ca/400d.asp?id=1-69-652-3585

Dec. 10, 2002 - leaks regarding the House of Commons committee recommendations hit the
media: "fine but no criminal record". Rumors of "decriminalizing small-scale growing" abound.
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1668.html

"Mr. Cauchon has said that the current system, in which police in some provinces lay charges
while others do not, might not be working as it should"

- Ottawa Citizen, Dec. 10, 2002, p. A2

"If you look at the system that we have in place, keeping it criminal, it's not very efficient".
"Depending where you are across Canada, they apply or they don't have the legislation that we
have."

- Mr. Cauchon, National Post, Dec. 10, p. A1

Mr. Cauchon's interest seems to concern uniform punishment, and avoids the question of
whether punishment is required at all.

Dec. 11th, Drug Czar John Walters responds to the new decrim bill.
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1671.html
The next day, "White House Advisor" Col. Robert Maginnis respons to the bill. Neither one has
nice things to say about it.

December 12, 2002, Liberal MP and House drug-bill committee member Paddy Torsney
releases the new drug bill the day before the Supreme Court challenge to the drug laws. She
is quoted as saying:

"We want to send two clear messages:
1. possession of MJ is illegal and should stay illegal.
2. We want people w/ small quantities of MJ to get a sanction for breaking the law, but not a
criminal record."

"A ticket would be more immediate and a police officer would be MORE LIKELY TO WRITE A
TICKET. Right now the laws are not evenly enforced, often police will turn a blind eye, which
teaches disrespect for the law. WE WANT FINES TO BE RENDERED."

"There is an uneven application of the law. In many places the police warn an individual and
don't charge. We think, actually, with what we're proposing a person with a small amount will
be more likely to SUFFER a consequence for breaking the law. So we actually think we're
being a little tougher on people by suggesting that there would be a fine for that breaking of
the law and police officers would be more likely to write that ticket rather than it walk away."

Source: http://www.pot-tv.net/ram/pottvshowse1681.ram (time code - 28:20)
http://archives.cbc.ca/500f.asp?id=1-69-652-3602
see also http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1673.html
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1676.html
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1680.html
John Walters again:
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1678.html

Torsney's statement should make it clear to everyone that "decriminalization" means, for the
liberals, "tougher" punishment - a position that does not address concerns over cannabis
mis-use or the problems associated with the black market.

The House of Commons report on the "non-medical" use of drugs recommends that 1) the
"drug court" program should be expanded (recommendation #28), 2) forced treatment
programs should be allowed (recommendation #29), 3) extra-invasive prisons should be
created (recommendation #34), 4) cannabis distribution should remain a crime
(recommendation #40) and 5) the possession of under 30 grams of cannabis would result in
a fine of up to $1000 (recommendation #41 - p. 127).

The minority report - written by NDP member Libby Davies has strong reservations regarding
the above recommendations. Regarding cannabis, Mrs. Davies wrote:

"The NDP sees decriminalization as only a partial solution. Decriminalization of possession
and cultivation of small amounts, as recommended by the committee, would prevent such
users and cultivators from receiving a criminal record. However, it still leaves intact other
harms associated with our current system of criminal prohibition. Among them, simply
handing a "joint" to a friend would continue to constitute the offence of trafficking under the
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The intrusive police powers given by the act would
likely remain.

Furthermore, the Committee's proposal does nothing to address the situation of those
saddled with a criminal record for simple possession or for transfer or cultivation of small
amounts for non-criminal purposes. If we accept that Canadians should not in future receive a
criminal record for certain acts relating to marijuana, those convicted in the past should be
pardoned under a general amnesty, and their records erased.

There has already been extensive public debate on the use of marijuana, decriminalization,
and legalization. The NDP appreciates the Senate Special Committee Report on Cannabis
that raises rational and significant questions. The federal government should consider their
analysis and recommendation for a criminal exemption scheme. The NDP urges the federal
government to investigate and introduce non-criminal and non-punitive regulatory approaches
for adult use, as a preferable direction of public policy, emphasizing the need for realistic
education and harm prevention programs."

"The majority of the Liberal-dominated committee, in an echo of a Senate committee report
and recent comments by Justice Minister Martin Cauchon, said enforcement of current
criminal laws against simple possession is expensive, uneven, "unfair and wasteful" and in
the end stigmatizes young people with a criminal record for life."

- Toronto Star, Dec. 13, 2002

When considering whether the penalty is "disproportionate", perhaps one should also
consider if there is such a thing as a "proportionate" penalty for a crime with no victim - a
"proportionate" punishment for an action that, when done properly, results in no identifiable
harm?

From the above quotes, it is clear that the motivation for the government to "decriminalization"
is to switch punishments from one difficult to execute into an easier one. This is not what
Canadians want, nor is it the most that could be done under the international drug-control
treaties Canada is a signatory to - consider the fact that Holland has signed every treaty we
have.

"Jean Chrétien retreated yesterday from the government's plans to
decriminalize marijuana by declaring that no final decision has been made.
The prime minister's position contradicts that of Justice Minister Martin Cauchon, who said
last week that he intended to introduce decriminalization legislation in the first four months of
next year.

Mr. Chrétien, who said he has never tried marijuana, said that the debate over
decriminalization is ongoing and that the government will have to make a decision "one day."
Mr. Chrétien's spokesman, Jim Munson, acknowledged that Mr. Cauchon "has made his
intentions known." But Mr. Munson cautioned that the justice minister's plans are not final."

- The Ottawa Citizen, Thursday, December 19, 2002

Jan 2, 2003:
Marijuana declaired illegal by the courts - Lawyer Brian McCalister finally getting recognition
that the pot laws do not exist because of the July 31st 2000 decision in the Parker case.
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1703.html
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1706.html
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1707.html
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1708.html

15th of March, 2003
John Ashcroft's good buddy Canadian Solicitor General Wayne Eastman seems to represent
a more "American" aproach to decrim, as he announces a need for increased penalties.
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1831.html

April 15th, 2003
Austrailia begins talking "decrim"- $200 fines and "education courses" for those who have 30
grams or less.
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1887.html
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1896.html
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1897.html

May 1st, 2003
Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien promises "decrim" by "mid-june". Again, as with the
House of Commons report on cannabis, this promise was made on the eve of the Supreme
Court Constitutional Challenge against ALL the pot laws, including trafficking and cultivation.
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1939.html
The following is a really good one with Matt Elrod and Phillipe Lucas:
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1953.html
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1958.html

May 14th
Clearly bending over to the Bush Adminsistration and their fanatical war on weed, the Federal
Liberal Government jumps back into the lap of their American masters with the perfect
make-up gift for the Canadian decision not to back America's attack on Iraq. Canadian
decriminlization will be backed by increased penalties for distribution and by doubling existing
penalties for growing cannabis.
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1962.html

May 15th
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1965.html
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1966.html

May 16th
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1971.html
More John Walters....
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1967.html

May 20th
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1978.html

May 27th, 2003
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1986.html

May 28th, 2003
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1989.html

May 29th, 2003
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1991.html

May 30th, 2003
Activists discuss decrim. David Malmo-Levine, Marc Emery, Chris Bennett and Prof. Neil Boyd
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1995.html
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1996.html
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-1997.html

July 22, 2003
Eric Nash, Phil Lucas and Matt Elrod
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2081.html

July 31, 2003
United Nations weighs in on Canadian Decrim.
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2094.html

3rd October, 2003
Chretien's "fine in one hand, joint in another" quote.
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2231.html

6th October, 2003
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2233.html

23rd of September 2003. Western Australia "decriminalizes" cannabis possession. The
Parliament of Western Australia passed the Cannabis Control Bill of 2003. This legislation
reduces penalties for smallscale cannabis cultivation and possession to a system of fines or
"education" sessions for up to 30g of cannabis and two non-hydroponic plants. Cannabis
paraphernalia will be regulated with health warnings and 18 purchases only.

While the law has passed, it will be another 6 months before Police have updated their
procedures and are able to issue Cannabis Infringement Notices to offenders.
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2236.html

9th October, 2003
CBC coverage of Cauchon's attempt to push his Americanized Decrim Bill through the House
of Parliament. Although possession of small amounts of marijuana will be subject to fines
instead of incarceration, this bill doubles the penalty for growing and distribution.
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2245.html

The federal government is considering changing its proposed marijuana decriminalization
law by cutting the amount that would result in criminal charges from 15 grams to 10 grams,
according to a report in The Globe and Mail. The current bill takes a tough line against illicit
growers and traffickers, especially those linked to organized crime. The maximum penalty for
grow operations would be boosted to 14 years from the current seven. The penalty for
large-scale trafficking is already life, although 20 years has been the stiffest sentence handed
out in recent years.
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2244.html

13 Oct 2003 - So where do you stand on marijuana reform?
Featuring John Conroy, Alan Young, and Dan "The Traitor" McTeague.
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2247.html

23 Oct 2003
George Bush hates Jean Chretien for staying out of the war in Iraq, for letting our politicians
point out that he is a Moron and a Bastard, but mostly for threatening to decriminalize the
demon weed. Bush wants to place his own boy, Paul Martin, in Chretiens place and a get
back to a good old boy realtionship with Canada's PM. That means putting more of us in jail!
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2267.html

Bill C-38 Meeting #2
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2270.html

Oct. 28th, 2003 (Bill C-38)
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2284.html

Oct. 29th, 2003 (Bill C-38) - especially at 29:00 min. mark 40:00, 45:00, 48:00, 56:00, 109:00
onwards http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2283.html

Nov. 4th, 2003 - more Bill C-38
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2283.html
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2284.html
"Pot Bill to be killed"
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2285.html
Cops and "Fathers against herbal euphorics" team up against decrim:
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2286.html

Nov. 5th 2003 - the latest debate on the pot bill.
http://www.pot-tv.net/archive/shows/pottvshowse-2288.html

At the 20 minute mark. The way it works....Canada goes down to Washington to see if the
"net-widening", well-recorded, money-generating, poor people going to jail like never-before
"decrim" is ok with them.....they say "yes" but we're sending Walters around to make it sound
like you're really getting something good out of it!

Please check out my super cool website: potshotzine.com
It's especially for activists and people who want to know the nitty gritty on the herb. The most
recent issues were the "Ancient History" issues - sure to please.

- David Malmo-Levine