Pubdate: Sat, 21 Jul 2007
Source: Intelligencer, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007, Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.intelligencer.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2332
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n843/a02.html?69448
Author: Kirk Tousaw

DRUG PROHIBITION LAW CRAZY

Re: Don't Make Criminals of Pot Smokers.

Your (Editorial - July 14) on marijuana was right on.

One thing that might shock your readers to learn is that not only 
have about half of all Canadians become criminals for marijuana 
possession, but they have likely all become marijuana traffickers.

That's because the CDSA (Canada's drug prohibition law) defines 
trafficking to include non-monetary transfers.

In other words, if you pass a joint or a bowl to someone, you have 
technically trafficked in marijuana. Do people actually get charged 
with trafficking for passing a joint? Ask Marc Emery, who was 
sentenced to 90 days in jail in Saskatoon for trafficking - because 
he passed a joint.

Crazy, eh?

Kirk Tousaw

Barrister

Vancouver, B.C.
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