COPS 'RARELY' BUST FOR A JOINT

Regardless of court rulings, cops "rarely" bust people for small amounts of
pot, Toronto's deputy police chief said.

"Police officers will continue to enforce the law as it is written," Mike
Boyd said. "But our officers are allowed to use discretion."

A second Ontario judge ruled yesterday that there is no law forbidding
small amounts of pot.

But Boyd said cops often only lay possession charges against those who are
also charged with another more serious crime.

While it may not affect police yet, many Torontonians think the ruling is
another signal that weed may soon be decriminalized.

"It's exciting. All of this shows that Canadians aren't going to take this
anymore," said Robin Ellins, proprietor of The Friendly Stranger, a
paraphernalia store at Queen St. and University Ave. "It's just a plant. If
it were as dangerous as people say there would be bodies piling up, just
like with alcohol and cigarettes."

The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse is again urging the feds to expedite
laws that would decriminalize pot. "When you ask people why they don't
smoke, or if you did why did you stop, the reasons people give are health
and lifestyle," spokesman Richard Garlick said. "Way down the list is a
concern about the law."