Pubdate: Tue, 13 May 2003
Source: Parklander, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2003 Hinton Parklander
Contact:  http://www.hintonparklander.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/782

POT IS NOT DECRIMINALIZED YET

When a Kwick and Kleen car wash employee saw a suspicious transaction 
between a man in a car parked in the parking lot and a man who approached 
on foot, he called the police.

Hinton Constable Shawna McPherson patrolled by the car wash and ran the 
vehicle's plates through the RCMP computer. When the numbers did not match 
the description of the vehicle, she approached the man and asked for the 
vehicle's registration.

When he produced the proper paperwork, McPherson casually asked him about 
the earlier transaction with the other male. The man replied, "I just sold 
a doobie (joint) to a friend for five bucks."

The incriminating statement led McPherson to search the vehicle, where she 
found 3.9 grams of pot. Upon the man's arrest, he said that he thought that 
pot had been decriminalized.

In court on May 7, Colin Sedgwick pleaded guilty to possession of a 
controlled substance. He told the judge that at the time of his arrest he 
was under the impression that pot was already decriminalized and in the 
process of being legalized.

"You're a little ahead of your time," said Judge Don Norheim, as he handed 
the man a $115 fine. In addition to the fine, the offence will be on 
Sedgwick's criminal record.

The federal government is currently drafting legislation to decriminalize 
the drug.

Court Notes

Louis Moore pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine. Norheim, taking 
into consideration Moore's criminal record of minor theft and failing to 
appear in court, handed the man a $700 fine.

The provincial court issued a warrant to arrest Richard Nighttraveller, who 
failed to appear in court on May 6 to plea to a charge of taking a motor 
vehicle without consent.
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MAP posted-by: Beth