IT'S A MATTER OF CIVIL RIGHTS

RE: Police Wonder About Testing Methods

How can the government justify this new affront to our civil rights and
liberties? There are no numbers to show that there has been an "increase"
in drugged driving incidents, as no official study has ever been done.
Remember, this is the same government who wants to "crack down" on a crime
rate that has been steadily dropping.

Imagine this scenario: Someone is driving around, stoned on tranquilizers,
painkillers, cold-medications, or some combination thereof. The driver gets
pulled over and appears - to the police officer - to be visibly "impaired."
The driver blows zero for alcohol, and his urine and blood samples test
negative for illegal drugs. That driver is free to go and repeat the offence.

But if the driver tests positive for even trace amounts of marijuana -
which may show up in the body for up to three months after the last puff,
or because of second-hand smoke - they will be booked for "impaired
driving." This is the same as busting someone for drunk driving three days
after their last drink.

Clearly, this new "drugged driving" legislation is designed specifically to
profile marijuana users - especially people under the age of 30, and people
of colour. How medical marijuana users will fare in this new pogrom is yet
to be seen.

The new law will likely ignore the dangers of other impairment factors such
as; a coffee or cigarette or cell phone in hand, rowdy pets and passengers,
booming stereos, over-the-counter medications, prescription medications,
blood-sugar-imbalances, fatigue, inexperience, bad driving habits, old-age,
and just plain old stupidity.

To focus on any one thing is arbitrary and discriminatory - and that is
exactly what this new law will do. It won't matter if the driver is
tripling their dose of a prescription medication, but if marijuana shows up
in your blood, you are considered guilty until proven innocent.

So much for Canada being a "just society."

Russell Barth

Federal Medical Marijuana License Holder

Ottawa