POT, CONS AND PILFERERS

Although there have been rumblings across Canada concerning the
so-called decriminalization of marijuana, and headlines have been made
about its medical uses, the Pincher Creek RCMP issued a press release
last week "to remind people that possession and use of marijuana is
still a criminal offence in Canada."

The friendly reminder came in a news release issued after police
raided a party on Dec 29, at 1 a.m. and found marijuana at the scene.

The event, which was held in a residence on Schofield Street, was
being attended by around 30 young adults, though the party atmosphere
was dialed down considerably as police executed a warrant for drugs,
and turned up an undisclosed quantity of marijuana.

Currently, Canadian law states that anyone in possession of marijuana
in amounts greater than 30 grams are subject to a significantly
greater sentence if convicted than if the amount is less than 30 grams.

Also last week, at 9:30 A.M. on New Year's Eve, RCMP executed another
search warrant for a residence on the east side of Pincher Creek.

A police dog from Lethbridge assisted in the search, which turned up
450 grams of marijuana, as well as undisclosed quantities of
substances believed to be cocaine and psilocybin, otherwise known as
magic mushrooms.

A quantity of cash was also seized. The raid has resulted in two
males, 20 and 23 years old, being charged with possession of marijuana
for the purpose of trafficking. The pair will appear in court early
next month, and more charges may follow. The maximum sentence for
trafficking less than three kilograms of marijuana is five years in
jail, less a day. More than three kilograms can carry a maximum
sentence of life in prison.