cannabisnews.com: Crown Puts Pot Possession Cases on Hold Crown Puts Pot Possession Cases on Hold Posted by CN Staff on April 08, 2003 at 19:45:35 PT By CBC News Online Staff Source: CBC Halifax – The Crown is appealing a provincial court decision to free a woman charged with pot possession. Until a decision is made, prosecutors are asking for adjournments in all similar cases. Paula Clarke had been charged with possessing marijuana, but last month Judge Flora Buchan stayed the charges, ruling there was no valid federal law in place for Clarke to have broken. Judges in Ontario and Prince Edward Island have taken similar positions.They're guided by a case in Ontario where an Appeal Court threw out a possession charge, arguing Canada's marijuana laws are unclear. The Ontario ruling gave MPs one year to make changes, and when that didn't happen the court tossed out the case.The federal Justice Department argues Buchan erred and is now launching an appeal."The Crown's position is that the challenged provision of the Controlled Drug Substances Act actually remains in effect and is enforceable," said Glenn Chamberlain, department spokesperson."So as a matter of process, adjournments will be sought in current and future cases of marijuana possession in Nova Scotia until the appeal is decided."It's not clear how many pot possession charges could be put on hold. Chamberlain said about 400 marijuana possession cases are heard in Nova Scotia each year. No date for the appeal has been set yet, but prosecutors hope it's dealt with soon because of the volume of cases it will affect.Last week federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon said Canada's pot possession law is valid.Crown attorneys are appealing a similar ruling in P.E.I.Source: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Published: Tuesday, April 8, 2003Copyright: 2003 CBCWebsite: http://www.cbc.ca/Contact: cbcinput toronto.cbc.caRelated Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmN.S. Judge Stays Pot Case http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15838.shtmlN.S. Judge Stays Pot Charges http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15832.shtmlPot Charges Could Be Stayed Across Canadahttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread15828.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by Kegan on April 09, 2003 at 09:48:39 PT School Sales Yeah... can't sell pot there... but the vending machines can sell sugar, caffeine, aspertame, fat, salt, starch, and chocolate.And the WONDER why they have to give Ritalin to kids. They are all speeding around like they was Robert Downey Jr. on his birthday, fer chrissakes!! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by FoM on April 08, 2003 at 22:28:47 PT Anti-Drug Commercial I just saw an anti drug commercial on the Hooked: Illegal Drugs special on the History Channel. They said change the laws and then the other guys said sell them at schools and playgrounds etc. and said no that's not a good idea! Not word for word. Who wants to even consider selling drugs at a playground? Can you see someone selling alcohol at a playground? Unbelievable. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by FoM on April 08, 2003 at 20:41:27 PT History Channel: Illegal Drugs 1 AM ET- April 9th I believe this is a repeat but if you didn't see it before it sure is worth a look.Next Airing: Wednesday, Apr 9 1am ET/PT Hooked: Illegal Drugs and How They Got That Way: Opium, Morphine and HeroinAn examination of the history of the poppy plant and three of its deadliest derivatives. In ancient times, the poppy was considered divine, but in the 19th and 20th centuries, its addicting and lethal qualities caused unprecedented national outrage, social upheaval, and even sparked two wars. Used by the upper classes as patent medicines, heroin became the bane of society when the working class began to use it. In 1914, Federal law banned heroin and opium, and restricted morphine to medicinal use. TV PG http://www.historychannel.com/global/listings/series_showcase.jsp?EGrpType=Series&Id=215731&NetwCode=THC [ Post Comment ] Post Comment