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American Position on Canadian DecriminalizationThis section examines the United States' response to recent events in Canada. Specifically, this section will examine the following:
American Drug PolicyCurrent US federal drug policy models itself as a “war against drugs.” The drug policy's central aims are interdiction, arrest, prosecution, and incarceration of users and distributors of controlled substances. Substances designated as illegal across the US include hallucinogens (mescaline, and LSD), stimulants (amphetamines, cocaine), marijuana, hashish, ecstasy, and depressants (opium, heroin, and barbiturates). Federal laws act only as a framework for state policy. As such, most US drug laws are developed and implemented in state legislatures. Many American states take a more liberal approach to drug policy, and education and treatment are often given greater priority in state legislation and strategy. For example, some states have enacted “treatment instead of incarceration” legislation that provides for drug treatment instead of jail for first and second offenses. Nonetheless, US drug policy as a whole remains disciplinary. Currently, approximately 500 thousand persons are incarcerated in US jails for drug offenses, with the majority being charged for drug possession (marijuana, in particular). American Reaction to Canadian LiberalizationThe House of Commons and Senate Special Committees recommendation to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana has caused concern in the United States. US Drug Control Policy Director John Walters warned that relaxed marijuana laws would lead to an increase in drug abuse in Canada. As he stated, “When you weaken the societal sanctions against drug use, you get more drug use. Why? Because drugs are a dangerous addictive substance.” Moreover, the US expressed concern that liberalized marijuana laws in Canada would lead to more drugs crossing into the United States. Colonel Robert Maginnis, a drug policy adviser to US President George Bush asserted that the US would not look kindly on changes to Canada’s marijuana laws and warned that US would be forced to take action. As Maginnis stated, “It creates some law enforcement problems and I think it creates some trade problems and some perception problems, especially in the U.S., with regard to whether Canada is engaged in fighting drug use rather than contributing to drug use.” “We’re going to have to clamp down even stronger on our border if you liberalize and contribute to what we consider a drug tourism problem.” Important LinksLatest News on this
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