DRUG PROHIBITION LAW CRAZY

Re: Don't Make Criminals of Pot Smokers.

Your (Editorial - July 14) on marijuana was right on.

One thing that might shock your readers to learn is that not only
have about half of all Canadians become criminals for marijuana
possession, but they have likely all become marijuana traffickers.

That's because the CDSA (Canada's drug prohibition law) defines
trafficking to include non-monetary transfers.

In other words, if you pass a joint or a bowl to someone, you have
technically trafficked in marijuana. Do people actually get charged
with trafficking for passing a joint? Ask Marc Emery, who was
sentenced to 90 days in jail in Saskatoon for trafficking - because
he passed a joint.

Crazy, eh?

Kirk Tousaw

Barrister

Vancouver, B.C.