cannabisnews.com: Action Overdue on Pot Laws Action Overdue on Pot Laws Posted by CN Staff on January 07, 2003 at 17:08:24 PT Editorial Source: North Bay Nugget Do not fear. Ottawa, which controls nearly everything and taxes nearly as much, can act decisively. The feds act, or least react, with stunning speed when their legislative skills or omniscient wisdom may be challenged Just last Thursday, Justice Douglas Phillips of the Ontario Court tossed out a charge of possessing a small quantity of marijuana against a Windsor youth. The judge apparently agreed with lawyer Brian McAllister, who argued there is a loophole in the law, and the feds have not fixed it. No doubt the judge is impartial, learned, and possibly courageous, all in the best traditions of the Canadian judiciary. So it would be improper to suggest Judge Phillips was influenced by anything except a strict interpretation of the law. But if he is completely fed up with the whole marijuana mess, and even relished kicking a hole in it, he must not be blamed. The federal Justice Department promised serious consideration of the decision and its possible consequences. Some reckless critics hailed it as another and possibly fatal blow to pot control. A Justice Department spokesman said it should respond within 10 days, which in most government departments would be the equivalent of greased lightning. But the very next day, in a dazzling riposte, the feds announced they would indeed appeal. If Justice ran Defence, the Armed Forces would have got their much-needed helicopters years ago! The legal loophole occurred two years ago when an epileptic was supported by the Ontario Court of Appeal when he pleaded he had a right to possess marijuana to ease his suffering. Countless Canadians suffering from many unpleasant diseases, and the effects of chemotherapy, have been saying much the same. But instead of grasping the nettle, or seizing the tall green stuff, and create some sensible law, Ottawa fudged. It created the Medical Marijuana Access Regulations, This bit of bureaucratic paper shuffling was supposed to make marijuana available to sick people who need it. Pot advocates claim the forms were designed to make it even more difficult to get approval. The case only highlights the obvious. There has been a great shift in public opinion. Canadians are well aware there is a gigantic underground pot industry. It grows tonnes of the stuff, mostly in secret factories that commonly steal the electricity they use in huge amounts. The growers pay no taxes, but provide employment for hundreds of police fighting the war against drugs. A new approach is needed. A Senate committee has recommended legalization of marijuana with proper controls. A Commons committee has recommended decriminalization. Surely action is overdue. Instead of trying to uphold fuzzy bad old laws, the Justice Department must write a good new one. Source: North Bay Nugget (CN ON)Published: Tuesday, January 07, 2003Copyright: 2003 North Bay NuggetContact: nugget nugget.caWebsite: http://www.nugget.ca/Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmMomentum Growing for Pot Law Reformhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15123.shtmlLegalized Pot Seems Likely Up Northhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15102.shtmlWhy Cannabis Should Be Legal http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14045.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #5 posted by FoM on January 08, 2003 at 07:10:16 PT Glad You Will Come To The Chat Dr. Russo and I confirmed the time last night and it will be at 9 PM ET this Friday! Hope to see you there. I am not a chat person either but the few times I've been in the chat it has been really nice. By organizing a chat I believe we can maximize the time we spend and gain a lot of knowledge and have a a little fun too. CannabisNews Chat [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by BigDawg on January 08, 2003 at 06:12:58 PT I've never been one to chat but I will definitely be there for an evening with the good doctor. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by greek_philosophizer on January 08, 2003 at 05:57:50 PT: RE: Chat with Dr. Russo I am not much of a spontaneous talker but I will stop by to say hello. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on January 07, 2003 at 19:56:05 PT Just a Note about a Special Chat with Dr. Russo We are working on a special guest chat with Dr. Russo. So far this Friday night seems to be the best time but I will let you know as more details fall together. CannabisNews Chat [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by p4me on January 07, 2003 at 18:17:28 PT I enjoyed his style It was another good article. Dr. Phillip Leveque has written more recommendations for medical cannabis than any doctor in Oregon and he has an article out titled, "My responsibility is to help sick people."- http://thc-foundation.org/?include=dr.php [ Post Comment ] Post Comment