Pubdate: Sat, 03 Feb 2018
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2018 The StarPhoenix
Contact:  http://thestarphoenix.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Author: Rob Vanstone
Page: B1

MORE SMOKE THAN FIRE WITH MARIJUANA MATTER

Is Duron Carter a possession receiver?

That has been a question to ponder since it was revealed that Carter,
a popular pass-catcher with the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders, was
arrested and charged with marijuana possession Thursday in Saskatoon.

The Regina Leader-Post subsequently discovered that Carter had been
charged with possession of a controlled substance Nov. 25 in Winnipeg.

Another question to consider: Should this even be a big
deal?

Carter was charged in Saskatoon only a few months before the use of
recreational marijuana becomes legal in Canada.

There might even be fireworks on Cannabis Day.

People might even sing "Green is the Colour." (Joke stolen from the
L-P's Ashley Martin.)

And, by the sounds of it, government-approved marijuana stores -
Joints 'R' Us? - will soon be sprouting like 7-Elevens.

We breathlessly await the first drive-thru. ("Do you want fries with
that?")

When the occupant of the, er, highest office in the land - Justin
Trudeau - provides his blessing, what is the point of arresting and
prosecuting marijuana users?

Marijuana is going to be legal, yet it's still illegal.
Oh.

At a different time, perhaps Friday's news would have created a
different response. Remember when the Roughriders' Shont'e Peoples was
charged with marijuana possession in 2003?

A firestorm ensued. In a joint effort, the Roughriders' players
decided to stage a two-day media boycott - partially because this
scribbler was stirring the pot.

However, the issue soon blew over.

There has since been an attitudinal change. Anyone who craves a joint
will soon be able to acquire marijuana, toilet paper and a loaf of
bread in the same shopping excursion.

Time and money would be better spent by weeding out the real
lawbreakers.
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MAP posted-by: Matt