GAP IN THE DRUG LAW LETS TEENAGER GO FREE

WINDSOR Canada's failure to change its marijuana laws as ordered by an
earlier court ruling caused a judge to drop a possession charge against a
16-year-old boy on Thursday.

Lawyer Brian McAllister argued that the federal government never reworked
its marijuana laws despite a 2000 Ontario court ruling that it should make
medicinal marijuana available to legitimate patients.

Instead, the government passed regulations to create a medical marijuana
system.

McAllister said it means Canada effectively has no law prohibiting
possession of an ounce or less of marijuana.

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon says he will introduce legislation in
upcoming months to make possession of small amounts of pot similar to a
traffic violation, punishable by a fine with no criminal record.