From: [m--g--s] at [hempbc.com] (Dana Larsen) Newsgroups: alt.hemp.politics,talk.politics.drugs,rec.drugs.cannabis,alt.drugs.pot,can.politics Subject: 10 Canadian MPs for Decrim Date: Tue, 16 Jul 1996 22:34:13 -0800 What follows is a list of those Canadian Members of Parliament who are known to be open to the idea of decriminalizing marijuana. It can provide a nice change to write a letter which is complimentary and supportive, and these MPs must be shown that their ideas have popular support, and they should be encouraged to actively promote decriminalization within their parties. Our list is not comprehensive, and we expect that there are many other MPs who have sentiments of support for an end to the prohibition of marijuana. Please contact me if you have any information on other MPs who you think might support harm reduction and decriminalization. Although there are only ten MPs on our list, their numbers include the Prime Minister, who has always left himself open to the possibility of decriminalization, and has never spoken out in support of prohibition in any significant way. Please contact all of these MPs and tell them that you also support harm reduction and a spirit of tolerance, as opposed to the brutality of prohibitionism. If you live in their riding then please make an appointment to see them in person and encourage them to speak out more publicly with their views. These individuals are not alone, as many other Parliamentarians also support an end to the War on Drugs. They have not spoken out about it because the issue has not been pressed upon them, and because most of their colleagues don’t care about the issue very much, and so will go with the crowd in whatever direction it seems to be headed. There are only a few die-hard prohibitionists in the federal Parliament, and I strongly encourage you to vote them out of office as soon as possible. 10 MPs FOR DECRIM Jean Chretien, Liberal, Prime Minister Saint-Maurice Quebec Room 309-S, Centre Block tel: (613) 992-4211, or (819) 537-1820 fax: (613) 941-6900 “I’m not in a position to be judgemental. I’ve had a beer or two in my time.” Warren Allmand, Liberal Notre-Dame-de-Grace Quebec Room 102, East Block tel: (613) 995-2251, or (519) 489-8703 fax: (613) 996-1481 “I favour the decriminalization of marijuana, and in a broad sense feel that more would be gained that lost if this action was undertaken.” Sue Barnes, Liberal London West Ontario Room 260, West Block tel: (613) 996-6674, or (519) 679-6361 fax: (613) 996-6772 “Prohibitionism toward drug users on its own arguably inflicts greater harms on individuals and families than the harms it purports to prevent.” “Were this an effective approach, the United States with its heavy emphasis on interdiction and punishment would be nearly drug free by now. As we know, the number of prisoners in jail for drug offences in that country continues to grow...” Andy Scott, Liberal Fredericton — York — Sunbury New Brunswick Room 244, Confederation Building tel: (613) 992-1067, or (506) 452-4110 fax: (613) 996-9955 “Is there any evidence to suggest that offering a decriminalized opportunity to consume cannabis would increase consumption? I don’t think there would be. I think people have already made that choice.” Herbert Grubel, Reform Capilano — Howe Sound BC Room 648 D, Centre Block tel: (613) 947-4617, or (604) 666-1229 fax: (613) 947-4620 “I share the judgement of many that prohibitions of addictive drugs historically have not worked very well. The costs have been excessively high in terms of both taxpayer’s money and personal freedoms.” Jim Gouk, Reform Kootenay West — Revelstoke BC Room 930, Confederation Building tel: (613) 996-8036, or (604) 365 2792 fax: (613) 943-0922 “I am generally supportive of the suggestions and principles outlined in the Frankfurt Resolution... It makes an excellent start on the issue indeed, one that I personally as an MP would endorse examining...” Myron Thompson, Reform, Wild Rose Alberta Room 900, Confederation Building tel: (613) 996-5152, or (403) 948-5103 fax: (613) 947-4601 “I do believe that users should be charged, but shouldn’t have a criminal record. It is the same as having a speeding ticket. You do get a ticket, but you aren’t considered a criminal...” Simon de Jong, NDP Regina — Qu'Appelle Sask Room 446, West Block tel: (613) 992-4593, or (306) 780-7540 “In either 1978 or 1980 at the NDP Winnipeg convention a resolution was passed calling for the decriminalization of marijuana. This, I believe, is still the official policy of the New Democratic Party.” Svend Robinson NDP, Burnaby — Kingsway BC Room 483, West Block tel (613) 996-5597, or (604) 299-4022 “I support the decriminalization of marijuana and condemn in the strongest possible terms the ongoing hypocrisy of laws which criminalize marijuana while supporting the far more destructive legal drugs of alcohol and tobacco.” Pierre de Savoye, Bloc Quebecois Portneuf Quebec Room 640, Confederation Building tel (613) 992-2798, or (418) 285-3305 fax (613) 995-1637 “Is it not unfortunate that, due to mistakes of youth, young offenders, children, teenagers have criminal records following them for the rest of their lives? It would be so much simpler to set them on the straight and narrow by decriminalizing offenses which are by and large minor, and fight the big time drug lords instead.” -- Dana Larsen ([m--g--s] at [hempbc.com]) Editor, Cannabis Canada, "The Magazine of Canada's Cannabis Culture" Visit Cannabis Canada Online at http://www.hempbc.com Subscribe to Cannabis Canada! 6 issues for CDN $29 / $24 US Join the Cannabis Canada News and Information Email List! Send an email with a message of "subscribe" to [c c list] at [hempbc.com]