Pubdate: Wed, 23 May 2007
Source: Tumbler Ridge News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 Tumbler Ridge News
Contact:  http://www.tumblerridgenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3600
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

MARIJUANA AWARENESS CAMPAIGN: BE WEED WISE

Marijuana And The Law

Reprinted with permission from The Buzz:

There has been lots of talk in Canada about decriminalizing the 
possession of small amounts of marijuana. It is important to know 
that this has not happened to date and that possession of marijuana 
is still illegal. The current legislation governing cannabis use and 
possession is found under the Controlled Drug and Substances Act. It 
states that a person charged with simple possession of 30 grams or 
less of cannabis or 1 gram or less of cannabis resin (hash or hash 
oil) may be prosecuted summarily and provides for a maximum term of 6 
months imprisonment, a fine of $1000.00 or both and a permanent court 
record. For larger amounts or a second offence, the maximum penalties 
are $2,000 and/or 12 months in prison, and a permanent criminal record.

Most people convicted of possessing marijuana for the first time 
receive a fine or a discharge. Either way, you could end up with a 
criminal record. The maximum penalty for growing marijuana is seven 
years in prison. The maximum penalty for selling marijuana (called 
"trafficking"), or bringing it in or out of the country, is life in 
prison. It is also illegal to drive under the influence of marijuana. 
Article S. 253 of the Canadian Criminal Code says that: "Everyone 
commits an offence who operates a motor vehicle or operates or 
assists in the operation of an aircraft or railway equipment or has 
the care or control of a motor vehicle, vessel, aircraft or railway 
equipment, whether it is in motion or not,

(a) while the person's ability to operate the vehicle, vessel, 
aircraft or railway equipment is impaired by alcohol or a drug." This 
means that it is possible to be charged with driving under the 
influence of marijuana. How is marijuana use detected? According to 
local RCMP, officers are trained to recognize the symptoms of drug 
use. If a police officer suspects that a driver is under the 
influence of a drug the police officer would then enter into an 
impaired driving (by drug) investigation as well as a possible 
criminal code investigation into possession of a controlled 
substance. If there is sufficient, reasonable and probable grounds to 
believe that someone is impaired by drugs charges would follow.

What are the long term consequences of a marijuana charge?

A charge for possession of cannabis can impact your ability to travel 
to other countries including the United States. Immigration officials 
have the right to refuse entry to anyone with a criminal record.

Cannabis use can interfere with your ability to get certain jobs. 
Some employers require a criminal record check be done prior to 
making an offer for employment. It is also important to know that 
some employers test for marijuana and other drug use prior to making 
an offer for employment.

Marijuana and Mental Health

There is plenty of research to show that marijuana use can cause 
short lived psychotic episodes which include mild impairment of 
consciousness, distortion of time sense, a dream like euphoric state, 
fragmentation of thought processes and auditory and visual 
hallucinations. These experiences are usually brief and the person 
soon returns to normal.

There is evidence from a number of studies that rates of marijuana 
use are higher among those people with schizophrenia than the general 
population (about twice as high). Regular marijuana use increases the 
chance of developing later schizophrenia or a schizophrenia like 
illness by approximately two to three times. Research suggests that 
those who start using marijuana at an early age (under 15) have an 
increased risk of developing a schizophrenic disorder when compared 
with those who started using at age 18 or older. Marijuana use is a 
moderate risk factor in the development of schizophrenia for those 
who are already vulnerable because of individual or family reasons.

Using marijuana can make symptoms and treatment outcomes worse for 
those who have schizophrenia. Research also shows that marijuana use 
is a moderate risk factor for developing later depression especially 
for those who begin using under the age of 18.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman