Pot Talk Canadian Style
Since our Brothers to the north refer to marijuana
as pot, so for the purposes of this article we will
refer to marijuana as pot.
Pot Prohibition Begins
Pot was banned in Canada in 1923 under a revision
to the Opium and Drug Act of 1911. The original act
ratified in 1911 didn't include. In May of 1997 pot,
was included in the Controlled Drugs and Substances
Act, there was quite a lot of grumbling about this.
In July of 2000 the Ontario court of appeals struck
down a federal law prohibiting the possession of
less then 30 grams of pot. The court further ruled
that banning pot for medical purposes violated the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Medical Pot Strikes a Blow
One year later Canada became the first country to
create a system governing the use of medicinal pot.
The Marijuana (pot) Medical Access Regulations
went into effect on July 31, 2002. This act still
didn't address recreational pot use.
Recreational Pot Decriminalized
In January 2003, an Ontario judge ruled that Canada's
law on possession of small amounts of pot was no longer
valid.
The judge dismissed a case of a 16-year-old local
boy stating that parliament had failed to address
problems with Canada's pot laws.
Easier Access for Pot Patients
But then again pot was back in the headlines, a judgment
entered on October 7, 2003, the Ontario Court of Appeal
wrote new rules to make it simpler for those that
use pot medicinally to receive it. But in the process
reinstated laws making possession of pot for recreational
use illegal.
Furthermore the Supreme Court of Canada said in
a decision issued December 23, 2003 that Canada's
laws regarding against possession of small amounts
of pot doesn't violate the Canadian equivalent to
the Bill of Rights.
Pot Decriminalization on the Tables still
There are still talks of the total decriminalization
of pot are still on the table in Canada. At this point
it still remains illegal for recreational pot use
in Canada. Although pot smoking remains illegal in
Canada it's still thought to be practiced by at least
1.5 million people.
I personally don't believe that pot is enforced
to heavily in Canada do to the relaxed attitude,
displayed with the pot smoker friendly Café's
popping up all over. But at this point smoking pot
recreationally.
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