Pubdate: Thu, 22 May 2003 Source: Detroit Free Press (MI) Copyright: 2003 Detroit Free Press Contact: http://www.freep.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/125 Author: Suzette Hackney, Free Press Writer WINDSOR LEADS WAY ON LEGAL POT Rest Of Canada May Also Allow Some Use Windsor -- A judge has ruled that possession of up to 30 grams of marijuana is legal in Detroit's wide-open neighbor to the south. But Windsor is not yet Amsterdam, and if you're thinking of crossing the border to toke on a joint along Ouellete Avenue, think again: Windsor police say they will continue to enforce long-standing drug laws despite the judge's ruling. "Everything will be done the same way we've been doing it -- people will be arrested if they are caught with marijuana," said Sgt. Kevin Trudell of the Windsor Police drug investigation unit. The ruling last week in Windsor by Superior Court Justice Steven Rogin was the most recent development surrounding drug policy in Canada, which is softening its approach to narcotics, treating abuse more as an illness than as a law-enforcement issue. Such moves differ sharply from the zero-tolerance philosophy adopted by the United States, and U.S. officials have protested Prime Minister Jean Chretien's plan to introduce legislation to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana in Canada. Rogin ruled Friday that possessing a little more than an ounce of marijuana is not against the law in Ontario. Rogin said there is no Canadian criminal law or penalty that specifically relates to marijuana. He would not comment to the Free Press. Experts in Canada say Rogin's ruling most likely will be followed by lower court judges, who usually preside over marijuana possession cases. Police fear hundreds of drug cases will now be dismissed. Many had been delayed as judges awaited Rogin's decision. Brian McAllister, the Windsor lawyer who had challenged the law, was quoted as saying in the Windsor Star that Rogin's ruling "effectively erased the criminal prohibition on marijuana possession from the law books in Ontario." Rogin's decision is likely to be appealed. Trudell said Canadian officials now must take a stand. "The government is going to have to step up and make a decision and stop sitting on the fence." - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart