Pubdate: Sat, 04 Jan 2003
Source: Cape Breton Post (CN NS)
Copyright: 2003 Cape Breton Post
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/sydney/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/777

POLICE NOT TURNING BLIND EYE TO POT POSSESSION

Pot smokers in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality who think it might be 
safe to be in possession of small amounts of marijuana should keep their 
stash well hidden.

While there are signs that Canada's marijuana laws are being relaxed, 
Associated Police Chief Dave Wilson said Friday his officers will be 
strictly enforcing the current laws of the land which prohibit possession 
unless the individual is licensed to use the drug for medical purposes.

"We will continue to operate in the same way until there is a change in the 
law," said Wilson, whose officers service the province's second largest 
municipality.

Wilson said marijuana users should not be lured into a false sense of 
security because of indications the law regarding possession will change.

He said until the law is actually changed, Cape Breton Regional Police will 
conduct themselves in the usual manner which means charging individuals for 
possession.

An Ontario Court judge is the latest to add fuel to the marijuana fire this 
week by turfing a marijuana charge against a 16-year-old boy.

Justice Douglas Phillips dropped the charge after the boy's defence lawyer, 
Brian McAllister, argued there is effectively no law prohibiting the 
possession of 30 grams or less of marijuana.

A conviction of possessing 30 grams or less of pot can carry a fine or up 
to six months in jail.

The confusion in Ontario stems from a two-year-old Ontario Court of Appeal 
decision that sided with marijuana user Terry Parker who argued the law 
violated the rights of sick people using the drug for medical reasons. 
Parker, an epileptic, said he needs marijuana to control his seizures.

The federal government's response to the Parker ruling was Marijuana 
Medical Access Regulations which are supposed to allow marijuana use for 
medical reasons under certain circumstances.

Those regulations have been widely criticized for being cumbersome, unfair 
and loaded down with bureaucratic red tape.

Meanwhile, federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon is expected to introduce 
legislation this year which would allow users to possess 30 grams of the 
drug or less without facing a criminal charge.

While such legislation is supported by Wilson and national police 
associations, it has been highly criticized by the United States which 
hinted Canadians may find themselves in longer lineups at boarder crossings 
as a result.
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MAP posted-by: Alex