The 1936 Propaganda film “Reefer Madness” helped usher in new Prohibition against Cannabis
American Prohibition did not work.
Wikipedia points out:
Prohibition focused on the manufacture, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages; however, exceptions were made for medicinal and religious uses. Alcohol consumption was never illegal under federal law. Nationwide Prohibition did not begin in the United States until January 1920, when the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution went into effect. The 18th amendment was ratified in 1919, and was repealed in December, 1933, with the ratification of the Twenty-first Amendment.[28]
Not only did it not stop otherwise law abiding people from consuming alcohol, the costs — to the economy, the justice system and society — were staggering.
Although the American Prohibition against alcohol never made drinking it illegal, the same was not true of cannabis prohibition in Canada, where users could be fined and imprisoned. As the 20th century wore on, the punishments became more severe, especially as Canada (again) followed the American lead.
The war on drugs is rooted in racist policies, and it’s failure has been as obvious as Prohibition.
During the 2015 election, the NDP talked about decriminalizing cannabis, but the Liberals said that wasn’t good enough; they would take a step further and legalize it.
Sadly voters again gave too much First Past The Post power to one of the same old parties promising “real change”. For real change, you have to vote smart– and different.
Although the Justin Trudeau Government says it will legalize cannabis, its about half way through its term and they keep arresting people.
The Green Party has better policy:
4.9 Ending the war on drugs
Elizabeth May
Between 2008 and 2011, according to the Department of Justice, Canada spent $311 million targeting illicit drugs, with a majority of that money going to law enforcement. Most of that was for the ‘war’ against cannabis (marijuana). Marijuana prohibition is also prohibitively costly in other ways, including criminalizing youth and fostering organized crime. Cannabis prohibition, which has gone on for decades, has utterly failed and has not led to reduced drug use in Canada.After analyzing the recommendation of the Canadian Senate’s 2002 Special Committee on Drugs and the examples of strategies used by some European countries, the Green Party of Canada has come to the conclusion that it is time to legalize the adult use of marijuana. Furthermore, the Greens believe that drug addictions should be treated as a health problem, not as criminal offences.
Green Party MPs will:
Legalize marijuana by removing marijuana from the drug schedule;
Create a regulatory framework for the safe production of marijuana by small, independent growers;
Develop a taxation rate for marijuana similar to that of tobacco;
Establish the sale of marijuana to adults for medicinal or personal use through licensed distribution outlets;
Educate the public about the health threats of marijuana, tobacco, and other drug use;
Launch a public consultation on the decriminalization of illicit drugs, considering the current high costs of the law enforcement effort;
Provide increased funding to safe injection sites, treatment facilities, and addict rehabilitation.
On September 8 of this year, Mike Schreiner, leader of the Green Party of Ontario, made the following comment regarding the proposed regulations for marijuana sales:
“This looks like another Liberal plan to say a lot and do very little, supporting big corporations and political insiders over local small businesses.
Mike Schreiner
Having limited retail outlets across Ontario for legal marijuana will do virtually nothing to combat the huge illegal market.
The Green Party does not support the monopolization of marijuana. The marijuana industry should be like the craft brewery industry – helping build local businesses, creating local jobs and contributing tax dollars to local communities across the province.
The GPO supports strict regulations and controls for marijuana sales. The government can license retails outlets with strict rules focused on safety and health for small businesses.
This announcement at this time is a cynical ploy by the Liberals to divert attention from their ongoing legal scandals.”
Hello WR Green Party members, supporters and friends!
There are a number of events coming up in the (very) near future.
Green Party of CanadaWhat: GPC Policy Meeting When: Friday, 15 September 2017 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm Where: Kitchener Downtown Community Centre, 35 Weber St. W, Kitchener Map
The December SGM in Calgary tasked federal council to strike a committee of members from across the country to devise changes to how we develop policy in the party. Friday, September 15, we’re meeting in Kitchener to discuss the work of this group, and hear from you, the members, on how you feel we should proceed. (My apologies for the extremely short notice on this one! –Bob)
What: Open Streets info table When: Sunday, 17 September 2017 from Noon to 5:00pm Where: Waterloo Public Square Map
We’ve been inspired by the Brantford-Brant Greens to try out a WRGreens button making set up where kids of all ages can create their own buttons. Come on out and give it a try!
Every year the IPM is kicked off by a parade through the IPM grounds, and so the Green Party of Ontario attends and proudly shows its colours! The parade starts at 10:00am, we’re meeting at 9:00am in the parade assembly area. The parade takes about an hour, but there’s lots of other stuff to do!
What: “Beyond Crisis” film When: Thursday, 21 September from 7:00pm to 9:00pm Where: Princess Twin Cinema, 46 King Street North, Waterloo Map Tickets: $15, Eventbrite
“Beyond Crisis” is the sharing of a handcrafted story featuring over fifty voices from across the spectrum of climate engagement, with notable speakers including Dr. James Hansen, Naomi Klein, and many other thought leaders from across southern Ontario, Canada and the U.S. Meet the director Kai Reimer-Watts! (This is not a Green Party event)
Join us for an evening of discussion and networking on the theme of building peace in Kitchener-Waterloo. Program includes a panel discussion, dinner (suggested donation is $10), and a chance to speak with organizers of the various Peace and Social Justice organizations in Waterloo Region. Richard Walsh is on the discussion panel, and WR Greens will have an information table.
The five Waterloo Region provincial Constituents Associations will be having nomination meetings in the next few weeks to select candidates to run in the June 2018 provincial election. Interested in running, or meeting the nominees? Contact your local CA executives, or send a message to executives@wrgreens.ca to get more information.
Finally, we’re planning our (not so) regular WR Greens meeting. Help us choose a date and location at Poll: Fall 2017 Meeting
Remember, you can always see the WR Greens events on our calendar. Hope to see you at these events!
Did you know all the Members of Ontario’s Provincial Parliament get the day off work to visit the International Plowing Match? The event is traditionally attended by leaders of all 4 of the top Ontario parties. It can also be an excellent opportunity to ask questions of Mike (or any of the other party leaders).
Every year the IPM is kicked off by a parade through the IPM grounds, and so the Green Party of Ontario attends and proudly shows its colours! Bob and I went out last year and had a great time, and we hope to again this year, and you’re invited too!
You’re invited to come out and march with Mike Schreiner and fellow Greens at the 2017 International Plowing Match Opening Parade in Huron County!
The parade will take place on Tuesday, September 19 in Walton, Ontario.
The parade will begin at 10:00 am sharp and Green supporters will be gathering at 9:00 am in the parade assembly area.
We would love to have you come out to show your support for the GPO, and join us in celebrating Ontario’s farmland and rural communities. Everyone is welcome!
Members of the Guelph Constituency Association for the Green Party of Ontario elected Mike Schreiner to be the Guelph Green Party Candidate for the next election at the (Green) Party in the park. The rest of us were just there to have fun.
The (Green) Party in the Park was a big success.
We got to meet Adam Olsen, one of the newly minted BC Greens MLA who came out to support Mike Schreiner.
The fabulous Joni NehRita played a solo set to welcome us all to the park at the beginning of the picnic, and the awesome Andrew Craig Trio entertained us after the speeches.
The event was catered by The Schmuck Truck with cold deserts from Bluewater Creamery.
Folks from Barrie, Brantford and Kitchener and more from all over Ontario came to join the Guelph Greens in the party that accompanied Guelph’s candidate selection.
There were lots of things for kids to do but Mother Nature provides the best playground.
Mike’s got a clear vision of a Green future for the province of Ontario. Won’t you join us to help bring it about?
You’ll find these and more photos from the (Green) Party In The Park in the Flickr Album
Whether you’re an official Green Party of Ontario member, a GPO supporter, or even if you’re just a thinker green thoughts, you’re invited to Riverside Park in Guelph for a (Green) Party In The Park.
Anyone is welcome, even if you’re just curious about the Party that convinced the Government of Ontario to bump up the rates (from $3.71 per million litres to $53.71 per million litres) commercial watertakers like Nestlé pay for our municipal water. That’s still too little — it’s still only about a third of what we pay, but it’s a pretty impressive achievement for a party without a seat in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. If Ontario wants better, we’ll need to start actually voting Green.
The official reason for the party is a Guelph Green Party of Ontario nomination meeting which will launch Mike Schreiner‘s bid to become the first Green Party member in Queen’s Park!
Come on out and meet Mike! Join the free fun with an RSVP:
Spread the word in your own neighbourhood!
Print a poster or two and post them on Grocery Store & other Community Bulletin Boards
[If you’ve never used Flickr, here are some handy instructions for downloading]
Michele Braniff telling Tales of Green at Open Streets UpTown Waterloo ~ June 2017We quickly learned the importance of keeping a low profile so the wind wouldn’t blow everything away.
The day started out windy and overshadowed by glowering clouds and a smattering of raindrops that ended around noon, but the forecast thunderstorm never materialized at UpTown Waterloo’s Open Streets.
Sadly the Artists Alley had to be cancelled (the alley is pretty much a wind tunnel) but Open Streets UpTown Waterloo carried on.
And you know what? It was a great day that was well enjoyed by all those who came out in spite of the scary looking clouds! Throughout the day the wind kept the weather shifting, so although it was hot, it wasn’t unbearably so, and sun and cloud alternated throughout the day.
Our side event, Michele Braniff’s storytelling segment “Tales of Green” was a lot of fun. The setting ~ beside Laurel Creek ~ was perfect for Michele’s feature story, “How Much Water Does The River Need?”
Tales of Green: Michele Braniff’s storytelling at Laurel Creek (more photos on Flickr)
It started to rain a bit through the first story, but everyone stayed to find out how it came out.
Between tales some of the audience chose to retreat in the face of rain. Those who stayed felt the odd summer sprinkle but enjoyed Michele’s other two tales immensely.
After the storytelling was over, the rain started coming down more steadily and the OpenStreets organizers decided to end the festivities an hour early. While vendors were packing up, kids on bikes got some great fun riding through the emptying Square in the warm summer rain.
The weather sure kept everyone guessing, but what I can tell you is that a good time was had by all. And of course the rain actually stopped for the day at 4pm. 😉
[And if we’re really lucky, perhaps Ontario’s Monsoon Season will be over in time for the Multicultural Festival next weekend!]
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If you’re new here, the WRGreens is an umbrella group formed by all the Green Party associations ~ federal EDAs and Provincial CAs ~ for the five ridings in Waterloo Region.
In my experience, Greens are truly grass roots people who tend to be more interested in getting green things accomplished than seeking careers in politics. And because we’re the smallest of the major parties, (and the inequity of our electoral system makes it extraordinarily difficult to get Greens elected) we have to work much harder than the big parties to be heard.
The largest barrier to electing Greens has traditionally been our unfair winner-take-all electoral system that makes people feel they need to vote strategically for other parties because they are afraid Greens can’t get elected. It’s been an ongoing Catch-22 scenario: the reason Green candidates “can’t” get elected is because too many supporters don’t vote Green because they’re afraid Green candidates can’t get elected. Fortunately that is all changing as Canadians are finally starting to realize that not only can Canadian Greens get elected, even a single Green MP can make a huge difference.
One way to do that is by getting together to discuss the things we want to do and work out strategies to make that happen. Sometimes we have planning events, sometimes social events, and sometimes organizational events. Very often they are all of the above, like last week’s excellent monthly Regional Meeting at the Queen Street Commons Cafe where four of our five Waterloo Region ridings had representation.
Everyone from long time organizers to anyone curious about what Green means in Waterloo Region is welcome to attend WRGreens Regional meetings. Come out to find out what’s coming up, to volunteer or even just to share green thoughts. We had a report from the 2017 Green Party of Ontario AGM (Annual General Meeting) and discussed plans for upcoming events– like the one coming up this Sunday!
Bob Jonkman discusses green issues at the WRGreens Open Streets Booth in 2016Storyteller, artist, graphic recorder Michele Braniff
WRGreens will again be at Uptown Waterloo’s Open Streets. The @OSWaterloo organizers have been fantastically inventive in meeting the massive challenge of LRT roadworks and keeping the awesome summer festival vibrant. This year they’ve chosen to incorporate the Uptown Waterloo trails as the “street” venues, which will be seriously awesome.
They’ve also given each of the four festival dates a theme, and the first theme for Sunday June 18th (Father’s Day) the theme is “Word.”
Naturally, there can only be one word for us: Green! So in addition to our usual information booth in the Waterloo Public Square Marketplace, our own Cambridge Green storyteller Michele Braniff will be telling Tales of Green on the Main Stage beside Laurel Creek!
Did you know TWB is short for “Together We’re Bitter” ?
Join Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner for an evening out with your fellow Greens. A great chance to share your thoughts and discuss the local issues that matter to you.
The evening will end with a no-holds-barred live interview about beer regulation hosted by local comedian Michael Masurkevitch (We Are Millennials).
Invite your friends!
An added treat for those interested in looking behind the scenes at the TWB Brewery ~ for $5 you can get a ticket for a special tour of the Brewery from 7-7:30pm.
Open Streets info table
International Plowing Match
Perspectives on Peace: Peace In Our Community
Mike’s got a clear vision of a Green future for the province of Ontario. Won’t you join us to help bring it about?
Join 
