cannabisnews.com: Pot Laws Favour Tokers in City





Pot Laws Favour Tokers in City
Posted by CN Staff on August 30, 2003 at 08:08:19 PT
By Raquel Exner, Edmonton Sun
Source: Edmonton Sun
The federal solicitor general was on the defensive yesterday over proposed changes to marijuana laws as he faced Canadian Professional Police Association members. Wayne Easter argued that the laws need to be changed because they aren't being applied the same way across the country. He claims that currently a young person caught with a joint in a rural community would be charged, but a young person caught with a joint in a big city would only be handed a warning.
"And that's the reality - the law currently isn't working," said the solicitor general. The bill to decriminalize marijuana, introduced by the federal government earlier this year, will mean people caught with less than 15 grams of the drug will face fines only, unless there's aggravating factors. From 15-30 grams, it will be up to police discretion whether to issue a ticket or lay a charge. Anyone caught with over 30 grams will be charged. The proposed law also doubles the maximum jail sentence for illegally growing marijuana to 14 years. The maximum life sentence for trafficking in pot remains unchanged. There will also be a prevention and education campaign. "Marijuana is not legal and not legal under the new proposed bill - the penalties are changed," said Easter. "I do know that there is concern out there related especially to the 15 grams - is it too high? Is it too low? In fact, we're hearing it from both sides ... Tony Cannavino, president of the Canadian Professional Police Association, said the group opposes decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana. "We're talking 15 grams - 15 grams is over 25 joints of marijuana. For personal use, somebody could be arrested every day and get a fine with 25 joints of marijuana." Note: Solicitor general says cops apply law differently.Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB) Author: Raquel Exner, Edmonton SunPublished:  Saturday, August 30, 2003Copyright: 2003 Canoe Limited PartnershipContact: letters edm.sunpub.comWebsite: http://www.fyiedmonton.com/htdocs/edmsun.shtmlRelated Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmWeed Law Wiggle Roomhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17150.shtmlDrug Breathalyser in The Works - Easter http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17146.shtmlToronto's Top Cop Blasts 'Lax' Pot Sentences http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17130.shtml
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Comment #2 posted by OverwhelmSam on August 30, 2003 at 10:25:35 PT:
Living Under Delusions
The politicians in Canada are still mentally laboring on the false assumption that marijuana is still illegal in Canada.
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Comment #1 posted by John Tyler on August 30, 2003 at 09:12:16 PT
Ruling Missed by Easter
"Marijuana is not legal and not legal under the new proposed bill - the penalties are changed," said Easter.Waite a minute, did this guy miss the recent court ruling that said that there is no current law aganist cannabis in Ontario?
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