Monday, June 28, 2004
PORTUGUESE WISDOM
It seems the Portuguese know a good idea when they hear it. Taking a cue from the Dutch during the 2000 European Cup (Soccer, dude), Portruguese officials declared an easing of the nations drug policy to allow for the public smoking of cannabis during their hosting of this years Cup ( possesion is not illegal in Portugal, just public consumption ). A total of 34 arrests were made relating to the Cup this year. That number is drastically lower than expected. It seems stoned hoologans are more likely to enjoy the match without rioting. Funny how it didn't make headlines here in the US. It seems a little strange that Canada's big push to decriminalize has gotten derailed as well. I guess Mr. Bush's threats were given a weightier consideration than making life a bit easier for a meager few million people.
John Kerry on pot:
"I've met plenty of people in my lifetime who've used marijuana and who I would not qualify as serious addicts -- who use about the same amount as some people drink beer or wine or have a cocktail. I don't get too excited by any of that."
However, when asked whether he supported decriminalizing the possession and use of marijuana as a public policy, he replied:
"No, not quite. What we did in the prosecutor's office was have a sort of unspoken approach to marijuana that was almost effectively decriminalization. We just didn't bother with small-time use. It doesn't rise to the level of nuisance, even. And what we were after was people dealing with heroin and destroying lives, and people who were killing people. That's where you need to focus."
Not what I would call clear support for the cause, but it's better than Bush's "do as I say not as I did" policy on drugs.
Vice has been with us for as long as there have been economies. You just can't keep a good thing down.
It seems the Portuguese know a good idea when they hear it. Taking a cue from the Dutch during the 2000 European Cup (Soccer, dude), Portruguese officials declared an easing of the nations drug policy to allow for the public smoking of cannabis during their hosting of this years Cup ( possesion is not illegal in Portugal, just public consumption ). A total of 34 arrests were made relating to the Cup this year. That number is drastically lower than expected. It seems stoned hoologans are more likely to enjoy the match without rioting. Funny how it didn't make headlines here in the US. It seems a little strange that Canada's big push to decriminalize has gotten derailed as well. I guess Mr. Bush's threats were given a weightier consideration than making life a bit easier for a meager few million people.
John Kerry on pot:
"I've met plenty of people in my lifetime who've used marijuana and who I would not qualify as serious addicts -- who use about the same amount as some people drink beer or wine or have a cocktail. I don't get too excited by any of that."
However, when asked whether he supported decriminalizing the possession and use of marijuana as a public policy, he replied:
"No, not quite. What we did in the prosecutor's office was have a sort of unspoken approach to marijuana that was almost effectively decriminalization. We just didn't bother with small-time use. It doesn't rise to the level of nuisance, even. And what we were after was people dealing with heroin and destroying lives, and people who were killing people. That's where you need to focus."
Not what I would call clear support for the cause, but it's better than Bush's "do as I say not as I did" policy on drugs.
Vice has been with us for as long as there have been economies. You just can't keep a good thing down.
Comments:
Post a Comment
