Pubdate: Thu, 09 Jan 2003 Source: London Free Press (CN ON) Copyright: 2003 The London Free Press a division of Sun Media Corporation. Contact: http://www.fyilondon.com/londonfreepress/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/243 Author: Tobi Cohen Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada) POT ACTIVIST ACQUITTED ON DRIVING CHARGES PEMBROKE -- An eastern Ontario man has won his court battle to toke and drive in what could become a precedent-setting case. Rick Reimer, a former lawyer and marijuana activist, who had a joint in his hand when police pulled his car off the road was acquitted yesterday of driving while impaired by marijuana. There wasn't enough evidence to prove the multiple sclerosis sufferer, who has an exemption to smoke pot, was impaired "beyond a reasonable doubt," said Justice Bruce McPhee. In the absence of objective expert testimony and without having had the opportunity to witness Reimer straight -- since he never was during the trial -- McPhee said he could not convict. "I'm happy and I think it's the right verdict," Reimer said as he sparked up a victory joint outside the courthouse. "What I'm hoping will happen is that now there'll be more debate on that issue and through democratic process our government will decide, 'well, do we need a law and if so what kind of law do we need? What kind of investigative tools do the police need?' These are all issues surrounding marijuana that have been ignored," he said. Reimer, who offered no expert testimony besides his own, said he had his doubts at times throughout the three-day trial and expects the results could be overturned on appeal. "If somehow (my acquittal) is perceived by the powers that be to be a precedent saying smoking marijuana and driving is OK, then I can expect there would be a fairly large cry for it to be appealed," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Tom