POT IS NOT DECRIMINALIZED YET

When a Kwick and Kleen car wash employee saw a suspicious transaction
between a man in a car parked in the parking lot and a man who approached
on foot, he called the police.

Hinton Constable Shawna McPherson patrolled by the car wash and ran the
vehicle's plates through the RCMP computer. When the numbers did not match
the description of the vehicle, she approached the man and asked for the
vehicle's registration.

When he produced the proper paperwork, McPherson casually asked him about
the earlier transaction with the other male. The man replied, "I just sold
a doobie (joint) to a friend for five bucks."

The incriminating statement led McPherson to search the vehicle, where she
found 3.9 grams of pot. Upon the man's arrest, he said that he thought that
pot had been decriminalized.

In court on May 7, Colin Sedgwick pleaded guilty to possession of a
controlled substance. He told the judge that at the time of his arrest he
was under the impression that pot was already decriminalized and in the
process of being legalized.

"You're a little ahead of your time," said Judge Don Norheim, as he handed
the man a $115 fine. In addition to the fine, the offence will be on
Sedgwick's criminal record.

The federal government is currently drafting legislation to decriminalize
the drug.

Court Notes

Louis Moore pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine. Norheim, taking
into consideration Moore's criminal record of minor theft and failing to
appear in court, handed the man a $700 fine.

The provincial court issued a warrant to arrest Richard Nighttraveller, who
failed to appear in court on May 6 to plea to a charge of taking a motor
vehicle without consent.