NO BASIS FOR BUSTS: CANNABIS ACTIVIST

While Toronto cops have every right to be confused over hazy pot laws, they
don't have legal grounds to seize small amounts of weed or take notes on
tokers, said a marijuana activist. "The law on simple possession has been
nullified by the courts," said Robin Ellins, proprietor of the Friendly
Stranger cannabis culture shop on Queen St. and University Ave. "So the
police don't have authority to seize marijuana or document incidents. It's
an infringement on individual rights."

'Left In Limbo'

Toronto Police Chief Julian Fantino said yesterday his officers won't lay
charges in cases of possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana but will
still seize the drugs and record the offence in case laws change later.

Ellins said he sympathizes with Fantino's position and blames Ottawa's
refusal to get off the pot and draft new legislation. "Ottawa has left
(police) in limbo," he said. "There needs to be a complete readdressing of
the issue of cannabis. It doesn't belong in the same category as cocaine
and heroin."

Meanwhile, Jim Leising, the justice department's Ontario director of
federal prosecution services, agreed the law is in a "state of uncertainty
at the moment."