Pubdate: Sun, 15 Jun 2003 Source: Sentinel Review (CN ON) Copyright: 2003 Annex Publishing & Printing Inc. Contact: http://www.annexweb.com/sentinel Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2385 Author: Cedric Silvester Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n876/a11.html?1144 NO LAW EXISTS FOR POSSESSION OF WEED Re: Limbo for pot charges (June 10, Sentinel-Review). Here's a better headline: "Woodstock's top cop advocates stealing from the innocent." (Oxford Community Police Service) Chief Ron Fraser should tender his resignation at once. There is currently no law in Ontario against simple possession of marijuana, yet he is telling officers to take it from people who are breaking no law. Where I come from this is called stealing and to have the chief of police advise his officers to steal is reprehensible. Mr. Fraser obviously hasn't read the Rogin decision of May 16, 2003), since in it he would note that "As of July 31/01, s.4 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act as it related to marijuana was invalid." Furthermore, "The existence of a law is a prerequisite to a charge" and "In Canada, the act or conduct which is not prohibited by the law is a permitted act." Note that Mr. Justice Rogin did not say "temporary", he did not say "maybe", he said that the laws against simple possession of marijuana are invalid. The suggestion that there is confusion is a smoke screen put up by prohibitionists like Chief Fraser. The message is clear: in Ontario, since May 16, 2003 there is no law against simple possession of marijuana. If the Ontario Supreme court overturns this, then there will be a law against it. But until then, there is no law. Cedric Silvester Peterborough, Ont. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom