Pubdate: Thu, 16 Mar 2006
Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006, BC Newspaper Group
Contact:  http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n317/a11.html
Author: Chuck Beyer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

HOW MUCH POWER DOES JURY WIELD IN CANADA?

To the Editor,

Re: Pot allegations too sweeping, no backup, March 9.

Prosecutions for marijuana offences resemble the issue of abortion in 
the last century: a law supported by only a minority of Canadians 
that criminalizes 10 per cent of the rest.

The difference is this law is being imposed by the U.S. through 
cowardly Canadian politicians.

We at http://juror.ca would like to remind the public and potential 
jurors in Canada about jury nullification -- a jury's power to acquit 
regardless of the law.

This power was used by multiple juries to strike down abortion laws 
last century and we urge jurors to use their power to acquit in any 
marijuana trial where no other offence is involved.

It's now a matter of sovereignty and any such jurors would be true patriots.

Chuck Beyer

Port Alberni
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman