Pubdate: Tue, 17 Jun 2003
Source: Langley Advance (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.langleyadvance.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1248
Author: Matthew Hulett

DECRIMINALIZATION MISSES MEDICAL ACCESS

Dear Editor,

The new, proposed decriminalization law, which does not allow for medical 
access to marijuana, will be in violation of the Parker decision circa July 
2000, just as was the case heard by Justice Rogin which has cleared the 
personal possession law in Ontario.

The new law would be thrown out under the same principle.

Marijuana possession of 30 grams or less will be legal in Ontario for the 
foreseeable future. And, since other provinces take the lead of Ontario, 
said act will be legal for all Canadians soon enough.

The teen's pot acquittal is being appealed in the Ontario Court of Appeals, 
the same court that issued the Parker decision. The feds will lose, and 
lose badly.

As they will if they go to the Supreme Court. The order of Parker may not 
be revisited.

If someone wishes to look for someone to blame for this, blame your 
Parliament for not taking advantage of the three years they had to rework 
the possession laws to conform to the Parker decision. They were supposed 
to only have one year.

This is a good development, and in line with many of the recommendations in 
scholarly drug policy works. All Canadians owe Terry Parker and the Ontario 
Court of Appeals a deep thank you for bringing Canada to a sensible drug 
policy concerning personal marijuana possession, something politicians 
appear incapable of doing.

Matthew Hulett

Brick, New Jersey, U.S.A.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens