T
The420Guy
Guest
A pro-marijuana activist claims people can get high legally Wednesday,
but somebody will likely have to take the rap to prove it.
"This is the day," says Rob Brown. "Decriminalization in Canada."
A rally has been scheduled for noon at the Centennial Flame to celebrate
the one-year anniversary of the Terry Parker decision, which saw
Ontario's
highest court stay marijuana possession charges against the 44-year-old
epileptic sufferer.
NOT GOOD ENOUGH
The ruling, which deemed as unconstitutional the prohibition on
marijuana
possession, left the government one year to amend and clarify its laws.
Brown, and his longtime lawyer Rick Reimer, contend the government's
response -- new Health Canada regulations for medicinal marijuana use
-- is off the mark.
"I think they're wrong. And the reason is Terry Parker never asked for
a (medicinal) exemption," Reimer says.
Under the new law, which takes effect today, severely ill patients with
a doctor's approval can apply to Health Canada to grow and use
marijuana.
Parker's lawyer Alan Young said the new guidelines bring light to the
exemption process, which the Ontario Court of Appeal considered
a "black hole" a year ago.
That clarification should be enough to uphold the law for recreational
users, Young told the Sun yesterday, adding he does not support the law.
COURT CHALLENGE
But Reimer and Brown argue the government failed to adequately patch
up the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in response to the Parker
ruling, and therefore anyone can smoke marijuana legally on Aug. 1. But
the risk of arrest remains.
"Some person charged after Aug. 1 with possession will then challenge
it in court," Reimer says.
It won't be Reimer or Brown -- they're among the 292 Canadians who
already have Section 56 medicinal exemptions to grow and possess pot.
Newshawk: creator@mapinc.org
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Pubdate: Monday, July 30, 2001
Author: A.J. Blauer
but somebody will likely have to take the rap to prove it.
"This is the day," says Rob Brown. "Decriminalization in Canada."
A rally has been scheduled for noon at the Centennial Flame to celebrate
the one-year anniversary of the Terry Parker decision, which saw
Ontario's
highest court stay marijuana possession charges against the 44-year-old
epileptic sufferer.
NOT GOOD ENOUGH
The ruling, which deemed as unconstitutional the prohibition on
marijuana
possession, left the government one year to amend and clarify its laws.
Brown, and his longtime lawyer Rick Reimer, contend the government's
response -- new Health Canada regulations for medicinal marijuana use
-- is off the mark.
"I think they're wrong. And the reason is Terry Parker never asked for
a (medicinal) exemption," Reimer says.
Under the new law, which takes effect today, severely ill patients with
a doctor's approval can apply to Health Canada to grow and use
marijuana.
Parker's lawyer Alan Young said the new guidelines bring light to the
exemption process, which the Ontario Court of Appeal considered
a "black hole" a year ago.
That clarification should be enough to uphold the law for recreational
users, Young told the Sun yesterday, adding he does not support the law.
COURT CHALLENGE
But Reimer and Brown argue the government failed to adequately patch
up the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in response to the Parker
ruling, and therefore anyone can smoke marijuana legally on Aug. 1. But
the risk of arrest remains.
"Some person charged after Aug. 1 with possession will then challenge
it in court," Reimer says.
It won't be Reimer or Brown -- they're among the 292 Canadians who
already have Section 56 medicinal exemptions to grow and possess pot.
Newshawk: creator@mapinc.org
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Pubdate: Monday, July 30, 2001
Author: A.J. Blauer
