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.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom