Pubdate: Tue, 09 Dec 2003 Source: Red Deer Advocate (CN AB) Copyright: 2003 Red Deer Advocate Contact: http://www.reddeeradvocate.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2492 Author: Jack Wilson Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) MARIJUANA POSSESSION CASES ABANDONED Scores of marijuana possession cases in Central Alberta have been ordered stayed by Justice Canada. The cases are among thousands across the country ordered stayed. The charges were laid between July 30, 2001, and Oct. 7, 2003, Maureen McLellan, Prairie spokeswoman for Justice Canada in Edmonton said on Monday. A stay means a case is held in limbo for a set period or forever. Simple possession involves amounts of marijuana up to 30 grams or up to one gram of marijuana resin. The stay follows a decision by Justice Canada not to challenge to the Supreme Court of Canada an Oct. 7 Ontario Court of Appeal decision, McLellan said. That decision said that between July 30, 2001, and Oct. 6, 2003, the law prohibiting possession of cannabis was constitutionally invalid because it didn't contain a valid medical exemption. It now has a medical exemption clause. Federal Crown prosecutors in Central Alberta had been consenting to adjournments shortly after the Oct. 6 Ontario decision. Central Alberta federal Crown prosecutors handle cases between Camrose and Didsbury and border to border. Federal Crown prosecutors received a memo on Friday directing them to stay the outstanding simple possession cases on their files. It's business as usual for simple marijuana possession charges laid since Oct. 7. Cases still set for trial on charges laid before Oct. 7 will be withdrawn. People who pleaded guilty to simple possession between the set dates or lost at trial don't have any recourse. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin