Pubdate: Thu, 20 Apr 2017
Source: Alberni Valley News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2017 Alberni Valley News
Contact:  http://www.albernivalleynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4247
Author: Susie Quinn

NO PARDONS FOR PAST POT POSSESSION

Should the federal Liberals create a blanket pardon for past pot
possession, if legislation passes to legalize marjuana in Canada?

Heck no.

Possessing or selling marijuana is illegal at the moment, and people
caught breaking the law will be punished. One can't operate on the
premise that 'oh, possession of marijuana is probably going to be
legalized next year, so no one's going to mind if I walk around with a
few joints in my pocket.'

The law doesn't work that way. Law enforcement officers aren't going
to slack off just because some politicians are debating something that
may change as law in 2018.

Just ask someone who lives in Washington State or Colorado who try to
come across the Canadian border with marijuana in their possession: it
may be legal in their states, but it isn't here, and they must follow
the letter of the law in our country or pay the price.

As public safety minister Ralph Goodale said recently, 'this must be
an orderly transition. It is not a free-for-all.'

If someone wants to avoid a criminal record for pot possession, they
can follow the law. When the law changes, they won't have to worry
about a pardon because possession of a certain amount will be legal.

At some point, you have to say the past must stay in the past. There
can be no grace period, no grey area.

Otherwise, where would the law stop with pardons?
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MAP posted-by: Matt