T
The420Guy
Guest
Pot smokers celebrating Canada Day in Sturgeon Falls sparked up joints
Tuesday and reveled in the recent Ontario court ruling that the existing
possession law is no longer valid
The Cannabis Day Rally, which attracted between 20 and 30 people was hosted
by Michel Ethier, a mayoral candidate in West Nipissing
A minister with the assembly of the CHurch of the Universe-a pro- marijuana
legalization group- Ethier said the rally garnered a brief appearance by
police around 9 p.m.
"We weren't breaking the law," Ethier said, noting he was merely asked to
keep the noise down after a neighbour complained.
POlice services across the province have softened their stance on possessing
small amounts of marijuana until the law is clarified by the courts or
Ottawa.
Police have been advised to use "discretion" when dealing with people
possessing less than 30 grams of pot, seizing it and documenting the
incident rather than laying a charge.
A Superior Court judge rules in MAy there is no current ban on pot
possession in Ontario since the federal government failed to comply with a
July 2000 court order to create a new law dealing with the drug.
A Federal Justice Department appeal of the decision was expidited last month,
but a request to stay the decision was refused, allowing the ruling to be
followed.
Meanwhile, the Liberal government hopes to have its new marijuana
legislation passed by the end of the year.
Under the proposed new laws, possession of up to 15 grams of pot-enough to
roll about15 to 20 joints- would be a minor offence that carries no criminal
record.
Pubdate: July 3, 2003
Source: North Bay Nugget
Contact: news@nugget.ca
Website: North Bay Nugget
Author: Gord Young
Tuesday and reveled in the recent Ontario court ruling that the existing
possession law is no longer valid
The Cannabis Day Rally, which attracted between 20 and 30 people was hosted
by Michel Ethier, a mayoral candidate in West Nipissing
A minister with the assembly of the CHurch of the Universe-a pro- marijuana
legalization group- Ethier said the rally garnered a brief appearance by
police around 9 p.m.
"We weren't breaking the law," Ethier said, noting he was merely asked to
keep the noise down after a neighbour complained.
POlice services across the province have softened their stance on possessing
small amounts of marijuana until the law is clarified by the courts or
Ottawa.
Police have been advised to use "discretion" when dealing with people
possessing less than 30 grams of pot, seizing it and documenting the
incident rather than laying a charge.
A Superior Court judge rules in MAy there is no current ban on pot
possession in Ontario since the federal government failed to comply with a
July 2000 court order to create a new law dealing with the drug.
A Federal Justice Department appeal of the decision was expidited last month,
but a request to stay the decision was refused, allowing the ruling to be
followed.
Meanwhile, the Liberal government hopes to have its new marijuana
legislation passed by the end of the year.
Under the proposed new laws, possession of up to 15 grams of pot-enough to
roll about15 to 20 joints- would be a minor offence that carries no criminal
record.
Pubdate: July 3, 2003
Source: North Bay Nugget
Contact: news@nugget.ca
Website: North Bay Nugget
Author: Gord Young
