News (Media Awareness Project) - CN BC: She's A 'Pawn' In Drug War |
| Title: | CN BC: She's A 'Pawn' In Drug War |
| Published On: | 1999-11-03 |
| Source: | Vancouver Sun (CN BC) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-05 15:36:59 |
SHE'S A 'PAWN' IN DRUG WAR
Prosecution For Pot Is Political Persecution, Extradition
A woman wanted in the U.S. on marijuana-related charges is caught up in a
political war, her extradition hearing was told yesterday.
"This is more like a persecution than a prosecution," John Conroy, the
lawyer for American fugitive Renee Danielle Boje, told B.C. Supreme Court
Justice Michael Catliff in Vancouver.
"[Boje] is being used as a pawn in the prosecution against
[medical-marijuana advocate Todd] McCormick."
Conroy said the extradition request is political because Boje is wanted by
U.S. federal authorities who do not recognize rights that Californians
voted themselves in a 1996 referendum.
He said the Extradition Act allows the judge to refuse to grant an
extradition request if the case is political.
Boje, 30, was arrested in Los Angeles in July 1997 and charged with four
counts, including conspiracy and possession for the purpose of trafficking.
The charges were dropped. But when Boje's lawyer found out they were about
to be reinstated in May 1998, he advised her to flee the U.S. Each of the
three most serious charges against Boje carries a minimum penalty of 10
years in jail with no parole.
The U.S. says Boje was spotted watering plants on a patio at McCormick's
Bel Air mansion.
Boje, a Sunshine Coast resident for the past 17 months, told the arresting
officers that McCormick, who has a rare bone cancer, has two doctors'
prescriptions to use marijuana to alleviate his pain and is licensed by
California to grow it.
"If Mr. McCormick's conduct would not be unlawful [if he did it in Canada],
then Ms. Boje's conduct wouldn't be either," said Conroy.
Conroy said the fact that at least seven U.S. states, and Canada, allow
some citizens to use marijuana for medical purposes casts doubt on a
cornerstone of extradition -- that the conduct alleged must be a crime in
both countries.
Crown counsel Christopher Greenwood, who represents the U.S., is expected
to rebut Conroy's political argument when the hearing resumes today.
Prosecution For Pot Is Political Persecution, Extradition
A woman wanted in the U.S. on marijuana-related charges is caught up in a
political war, her extradition hearing was told yesterday.
"This is more like a persecution than a prosecution," John Conroy, the
lawyer for American fugitive Renee Danielle Boje, told B.C. Supreme Court
Justice Michael Catliff in Vancouver.
"[Boje] is being used as a pawn in the prosecution against
[medical-marijuana advocate Todd] McCormick."
Conroy said the extradition request is political because Boje is wanted by
U.S. federal authorities who do not recognize rights that Californians
voted themselves in a 1996 referendum.
He said the Extradition Act allows the judge to refuse to grant an
extradition request if the case is political.
Boje, 30, was arrested in Los Angeles in July 1997 and charged with four
counts, including conspiracy and possession for the purpose of trafficking.
The charges were dropped. But when Boje's lawyer found out they were about
to be reinstated in May 1998, he advised her to flee the U.S. Each of the
three most serious charges against Boje carries a minimum penalty of 10
years in jail with no parole.
The U.S. says Boje was spotted watering plants on a patio at McCormick's
Bel Air mansion.
Boje, a Sunshine Coast resident for the past 17 months, told the arresting
officers that McCormick, who has a rare bone cancer, has two doctors'
prescriptions to use marijuana to alleviate his pain and is licensed by
California to grow it.
"If Mr. McCormick's conduct would not be unlawful [if he did it in Canada],
then Ms. Boje's conduct wouldn't be either," said Conroy.
Conroy said the fact that at least seven U.S. states, and Canada, allow
some citizens to use marijuana for medical purposes casts doubt on a
cornerstone of extradition -- that the conduct alleged must be a crime in
both countries.
Crown counsel Christopher Greenwood, who represents the U.S., is expected
to rebut Conroy's political argument when the hearing resumes today.
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