T
The420Guy
Guest
IN WHAT could be a test case for Canada, a former local lawyer who is
permitted to smoke pot for medicinal reasons is going to court to fight an
impaired driving charge.
Rick Reimer was smoking a joint when he was pulled over by OPP for crossing
the median line while driving from Killaloe to Pembroke.
Reimer, a retired lawyer who suffers from multiple sclerosis, has been
granted a Health Canada exemption from prosecution. The Barry's Bay resident
claims weed helps, rather than hampers, his driving ability.
"It's absolutely bogus," he said of the Feb. 11 charge by Killaloe OPP. "The
cops are just used to a knee-jerk reaction. I know I drive as well, if not
better, after I have smoked."
Reimer will appear in court on April 24 to set a date for trial.
Reimer has been occasionally driving stoned since 1968, and doing it
regularly since 1998. His Health Canada exemption guidelines warn of harmful
effects and possible criminal charges from using a controlled substance
before driving or operating machinery, but do not prohibit it.
He was smoking a joint at the time, and did not extinguish it after he was
pulled over. An activist for the legalization of marijuana, Reimer does not
intend to dispute the fact he was smoking, and hopes his case will open more
national debate on the issue.
TESTING TROUBLES
MADD Canada national director Andrew Murie says this is the first time to
his knowledge a person with a Health Canada exemption has been charged with
impaired driving.
"We've been waiting for it," he said. "The logic with some of them is that
the exemption gives them the legal right to do what they want. It doesn't."
Driving by persons impaired by marijuana is a "huge problem" because there
aren't yet adequate measures for testing. Murie believes federal legislation
must deliver stronger wording on drug impairment, and prescribe a driving
ban for users of medicinal marijuana while on the drug.
Ottawa Police Sgt. Rick Wilhelm said charges for drug driving impairment are
rare, because officers must rely on observation and "unquantifiable"
evidence rather than a breathalyzer as for alcohol. But he maintains pot and
driving are a dangerous mix.
"It impacts awareness of time and distance as much, if not more than
alcohol," he said.
Dr. Alison Smiley, an adjunct engineering professor at the University of
Toronto and president of consultancy firm Human Factors North Inc., said
studies have shown drivers impaired by marijuana tend to be more cautious,
where as drunk drivers show disregard for rules of the road.
As a result, she said, drunk driving increases the risk of a crash, while
driving stoned could decrease the risk.
Pubdate: Friday April 12, 2002
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Website: fyiottawa.com
Address: 380 Hunt Club Rd., Ottawa, Ontario, K1G 5H7
Contact: oped@ott.sunpub.com
Copyright: 2002, Canoe Limited Partnership
Author: Kathleen Harris
permitted to smoke pot for medicinal reasons is going to court to fight an
impaired driving charge.
Rick Reimer was smoking a joint when he was pulled over by OPP for crossing
the median line while driving from Killaloe to Pembroke.
Reimer, a retired lawyer who suffers from multiple sclerosis, has been
granted a Health Canada exemption from prosecution. The Barry's Bay resident
claims weed helps, rather than hampers, his driving ability.
"It's absolutely bogus," he said of the Feb. 11 charge by Killaloe OPP. "The
cops are just used to a knee-jerk reaction. I know I drive as well, if not
better, after I have smoked."
Reimer will appear in court on April 24 to set a date for trial.
Reimer has been occasionally driving stoned since 1968, and doing it
regularly since 1998. His Health Canada exemption guidelines warn of harmful
effects and possible criminal charges from using a controlled substance
before driving or operating machinery, but do not prohibit it.
He was smoking a joint at the time, and did not extinguish it after he was
pulled over. An activist for the legalization of marijuana, Reimer does not
intend to dispute the fact he was smoking, and hopes his case will open more
national debate on the issue.
TESTING TROUBLES
MADD Canada national director Andrew Murie says this is the first time to
his knowledge a person with a Health Canada exemption has been charged with
impaired driving.
"We've been waiting for it," he said. "The logic with some of them is that
the exemption gives them the legal right to do what they want. It doesn't."
Driving by persons impaired by marijuana is a "huge problem" because there
aren't yet adequate measures for testing. Murie believes federal legislation
must deliver stronger wording on drug impairment, and prescribe a driving
ban for users of medicinal marijuana while on the drug.
Ottawa Police Sgt. Rick Wilhelm said charges for drug driving impairment are
rare, because officers must rely on observation and "unquantifiable"
evidence rather than a breathalyzer as for alcohol. But he maintains pot and
driving are a dangerous mix.
"It impacts awareness of time and distance as much, if not more than
alcohol," he said.
Dr. Alison Smiley, an adjunct engineering professor at the University of
Toronto and president of consultancy firm Human Factors North Inc., said
studies have shown drivers impaired by marijuana tend to be more cautious,
where as drunk drivers show disregard for rules of the road.
As a result, she said, drunk driving increases the risk of a crash, while
driving stoned could decrease the risk.
Pubdate: Friday April 12, 2002
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Website: fyiottawa.com
Address: 380 Hunt Club Rd., Ottawa, Ontario, K1G 5H7
Contact: oped@ott.sunpub.com
Copyright: 2002, Canoe Limited Partnership
Author: Kathleen Harris
