ONE PROBLEM WITH THE PROPOSED QUASI-DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA IS THAT IT CONTINUES RACIAL DISPARITY
Two criminologists argue that Canada’s racist war on drugs must come to an end, but weed legalization is only a start.
Source: Why legalization won’t change racial disparities in cannabis arrests
4-20 —> APRIL 20 – This may be the last day for illegal 4-20 celebrations. ” April 20 has long been a day to celebrate cannabis and the culture that surrounds it. In cities such as Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver, pot enthusiasts gather by the thousands in public squares, defying the authorities.”
April 20 has long been a day to celebrate cannabis and the culture that surrounds it. In cities such as Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver, pot enthusiasts gather by the thousands in public squares, defying the authorities.
Source: Much left to fight for beyond legalization, pot activists say as they mark 4-20
THIS IS NOT LEGALIZATION – Possession of small amounts for personal use is all that will not be illegal. For everything else, the penalties will be stricter as the government tries to muscle its way into the industry. “Canadians already know where to get cannabis, and they will continue to obtain it the same ways they always have.”
Canadians want marijuana to be legal because they grew tired of seeing family and friends arrested and charged.
Source: Emery: The Liberals have lied – their pot plan is not legalization | Ottawa Citizen
INCREASING MAXIMUM SENTENCES – So the government plans to keep more cases in the lower court by increasing the maximum penalty for ‘less serious’ offences to 2 years less a day (which is served in provincial institutions). I don’t know about you but when I think about what that would mean to me if I was sentenced to two years less a day in jail, I’m confident I’d consider it pretty serious.
Change in maximum sentences would disqualify lower-priced options for legal representation.
MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION – So much is uncertain. What will happen to the present dispensaries? Will they disappear after legalization?
Later this year, Canada will formally legalize cannabis across the country, making the future unclear for dispensaries.
POTHOLES – “How can you have people found guilty when they are not impaired?” “Unlike alcohol, there are no proven links between THC blood levels and impairment.” “There is also the question of medicinal users, who would typically have elevated THC levels most or all of the time and many veteran dope smokers would be able to drive with undiminished skills at the rookie THC levels proscribed by C-46 because of their body’s greater tolerance.”
Marijuana will soon be legal in Canada. But a study from a Toronto doctor suggests the risks of pot-impaired drivers are, well, high
Source: Potholes: The new fight over ‘drugged driving’ | The Star
AND NOW THE BRAMPTON COURT – It’s not only the College Park courthouse that is under pressure but also the Brampton Courthouse has problems with drug cases being tried on time…claimed to be lack of resources. “We have a retention problem because our salaries and working conditions are unfavourable compared to our counterparts,” said Ursula Hendel, president of the Association of Justice Counsel, referring to provincial Crown attorneys, who prosecute the bulk of criminal offences in Ontario.”
In less than two years, 21 narcotics cases in Brampton have collapsed. Judges and defence lawyers point to problems in the federal prosecution office.
Source: Judges denounce ‘egregious’ delays at one of Canada’s busiest courthouses | The Star
SO YOU WANT TO BE AN ASSISTANT CROWN ATTORNEY? – The working conditions for Crowns sound to be even worse than that of Duty Counsel.
Staffing problems are “compromising” the ability of Crown attorneys to properly prosecute cases, according to a letter signed by 17 of them at a Toronto courthouse.
Source: Crown attorneys warn College Park office is in ‘crisis’ | The Star
THE CLOSURE OF BACKPAGES.COM – There are mixed reactions. The reactions over Backpage generally boil down to two camps: Those who believe prostitution should be illegal and those who don’t. To sex workers across the U.S. and Canada, Backpage’s demise meant the end of safeguards and a reliable revenue stream in a profession that’s not going anywhere. How is YRP going to continue to pretend to be 14-year-old prostitutes now? Craigslist? Kijiji? Eros?
To some sex workers in the U.S. and Canada, the demise of the site means the end of safeguards and a reliable revenue stream.
Source: Sex workers ‘devastated,’ look to alternatives after Backpage closure