NO LAW EXISTS FOR POSSESSION OF WEED

Re: Limbo for pot charges (June 10, Sentinel-Review).

Here's a better headline: "Woodstock's top cop advocates stealing from the
innocent."

(Oxford Community Police Service) Chief Ron Fraser should tender his
resignation at once. There is currently no law in Ontario against simple
possession of marijuana, yet he is telling officers to take it from people
who are breaking no law.

Where I come from this is called stealing and to have the chief of police
advise his officers to steal is reprehensible.

Mr. Fraser obviously hasn't read the Rogin decision of May 16, 2003), since
in it he would note that "As of July 31/01, s.4 of the Controlled Drugs and
Substances Act as it related to marijuana was invalid." Furthermore, "The
existence of a law is a prerequisite to a charge" and "In Canada, the act
or conduct which is not prohibited by the law is a permitted act." Note
that Mr. Justice Rogin did not say "temporary", he did not say "maybe", he
said that the laws against simple possession of marijuana are invalid.

The suggestion that there is confusion is a smoke screen put up by
prohibitionists like Chief Fraser. The message is clear: in Ontario, since
May 16, 2003 there is no law against simple possession of marijuana. If the
Ontario Supreme court overturns this, then there will be a law against it.
But until then, there is no law.

Cedric Silvester

Peterborough, Ont.