POT LAWS UP IN SMOKE, SAYS DOPE LOBBYIST

Re: 'Toronto Police Service reinstates program that puts officer back into
high schools', News, Sept. 10.

It's great that Const. Kevin McAleer wants to help kids stay away from
drugs, but he should start educating them by telling them the truth.

Personal marijuana possession is, in fact, 100 per cent legal in Ontario
due to the court ruling of Mr. Justice Steven Rogin of the Ontario Superior
Court, a ruling which is binding across the province.

This type of misinformation only breeds contempt and disrespect for the
police, something they surely don't need in these times.

It has been my experience over the summer that police have been instructed
to caution people who they find smoking cannabis, but if they cite the law
and stand up for their rights, officers are told by their supervisors to
leave them alone.

Police may have some bad feelings because of this ruling, but they should
also know that people who are harassed, documented, or have their marijuana
seized because police do not know - or refuse to acknowledge - the law as
it stands, will certainly be pursuing lawsuits against the officer and the
police service.

Tim Meehan,

Communications Director

Ontario Consumers for Safe Access to Recreational Cannabis