POT POSSESSION STILL PROSECUTED

Local RCMP will continue to arrest those found in possession of marijuana,
despite a recent provincial court ruling.

Judge Patrick Chen ruled Sept. 4 that portions of the federal Drugs and
Controlled Substances Act covering marijuana are no longer valid in the
light of an Ontario ruling.

Federal crown prosecutors are considering appealing that decision, said
Staff-Sgt. Tracy Hardy. The federal government plans to introduce
legislation that would decriminalize the possession of small amounts of
marijuana, while increasing the penalties for growers. Police meanwhile
will continue to enforce federal laws prohibiting the possesession of
marijuana, she said.

B.C. Solicitor General Rich Coleman last week also called the ruling
non-binding.