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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Canada: Copps Digs Legalization
ccguide Monday 28 Apr 2003 Pubdate: Mon, 28 Apr 2003 Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON) Copyright: 2003, Canoe Limited Partnership Contact: Website: http://www.fyiottawa.com/ottsun.shtml Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329 COPPS DIGS LEGALIZATION CP - Add prospective prime minister Sheila Copps to the list of Canadians who would like to see the federal government decriminalize simple possession of marijuana. With a growing legal clamour for Justice Minister Martin Cauchon to roll out the long-promised and frequently delayed legislation, Copps said she "absolutely" backs a change. "I support it, but I haven't been on record, so I am now," the Liberal leadership candidate said in an interview. Provincial courts have thrown federal possession laws into limbo by staying minor charges in the face of mixed signals coming from the federal government. Last month, a provincial court judge in Nova Scotia stayed charges against a woman caught in possession of a small amount of pot. The judge cited similar stays in Prince Edward Island and Ontario. Senate and Commons committees have recommended more lenient legislation or outright legalization. The Commons group proposed in December that Canadians be allowed to possess up to 30 grams of marijuana without facing jail time. Fines would supplant a criminal record for such misdemeanours. Cauchon welcomed the findings and promised legislation by this month, although he later backed away from the time line. The Justice Department has also argued that until new legislation is brought in, the existing laws should be applied without reservation. Leadership candidate Paul Martin is on the record as saying possession of small amounts should not lead to a criminal record. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom
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