Pubdate: Thu, 05 Jun 2003
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: The Windsor Star 2003
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/windsor/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: Ellen van Wageningen

FEDS SEEK TO PLUG POT HOLE

High Court Asked To End Drug Dismissals

Responding to the dismissal by judges of hundreds of marijuana possession 
charges, the federal government is asking Ontario's highest court to 
temporarily declare the law valid.

Lower court judges are citing a ruling by Superior Court Justice Steven 
Rogin, of Windsor, declaring the law invalid as they quash charges for 
possessing less than 30 grams of marijuana.

On Monday, Ontario Court Justice Micheline Rawlins, also of Windsor, 
dismissed an unprecedented 22 charges in one sitting -- part of a backlog 
that had been building since January.

"It's really the events of the last few days" that have led the Department 
of Justice to ask the Ontario Court of Appeal to stay Rogin's May 16 
ruling, said Jim Leising, head drug prosecutor in the province.

June 10 Hearing

A stay would mean Rogin's decision would be suspended until the appeal 
court makes its ruling on the matter. Leising said the stay application is 
to be addressed in the appeal court June 10.

"I just think they're desperate to do something," said Windsor lawyer Brian 
McAllister, who convinced a lower court judge and then Rogin to find the 
law prohibiting marijuana possession invalid.

Now the matter is back before the court where it started. Rogin's decision 
is based on a ruling the appeal court made almost three years ago to strike 
down the current marijuana possession law because it violated the 
constitutional rights of those who used the drug for medical reasons.

The appeal court gave the government until July 31, 2001. The government 
responded by passing the Marijuana Medical Access Regulations, which Rogin 
found wasn't adequate to comply with the appeal court's ruling.

If the appeal court won't stay Rogin's ruling, the government is asking it 
to extend the deadline for changing the law, Leising said.

"That would be without precedent because the deadline expired two years 
ago," McAllister said.

Meanwhile, police across the province are grappling with the uncertainty.

"We still believe it's illegal to have (marijuana) in your possession," 
said Windsor police spokesman Staff Sgt. Ed McNorton. "Obviously, we'll use 
some discretion when we come upon it.... We can always lay a charge at a 
later date."

The OPP is holding back on some charges because justices of the peace won't 
endorse them, said Det. Supt. Jim Hutchinson, director of the force's drug 
enforcement section. But investigations will continue when officers find 
small amounts of marijuana, which remains a prohibited substance, he said.

Did You Know?

Police can lay a charge for possessing less than 30 g of marijuana up to 
six months after seizing the drug from someone.
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