Adam Peepers
Bluelighter
http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2002/11/26/pot_charges021126
Charges dropped against American pot activist
Last Updated Wed, 27 Nov 2002 15:05:00
VANCOUVER - An American marijuana activist who claimed refugee status in B.C. has had all Canadian charges against him dropped.
Steve Kubby faced charges in the U.S. before he came to Canada and claimed refugee status. He has cancer and Health Canada has given him an exemption for medicinal marijuana.
Kubby was in court Monday to ask for the return of marijuana and growing equipment the RCMP took from him during a raid in April.
The judge not only ordered the return of Kubby's property, but also dropped charges of cultivating and possession for the purpose of trafficking against Kubby.
"It was very refreshing for us from the United States, because they were really concerned about our welfare and doing the right thing. And we've never seen that in a court before," said Kubby.
Kubby's celebration was short-lived, however, because he now faces an eight-day immigration hearing set for next March.
Kubby, who lives in Sechelt with his wife and two daughters, said he's worried politicians who oppose the decriminalization of marijuana will use his case as an example and will try to remove him from Canada.
"We're just a family trying to survive and trying to find a way that I can get this medicine that helps me," said Kubby.
"And they're looking at me as being a symbol for hordes of potheads coming up from America and taking over if they let me in. It's a big deal," he said.
Kubby said Health Canada's exemption for him and medical advances in this country have saved his life. He said he wants to become a Canadian citizen.
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For more info on Canada's reform stance on Marajuana:
http://cbc.ca/news/indepth/background/marijuana_legalize.html
-----------------------
In part....
A long-standing special Senate Committee on Illegal Drugs, headed by Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, held hearings on the issue as well. In May 2002, the committee presented a "discussion paper," summarizing the scientific evidence and opinion on marijuana, including:
Marijuana is "not a gateway" to harder drug, such as cocaine and heroine
Fewer than 10 per cent of users become addicted
A lot of public money is spent on law enforcement, even though public policies don't seem to discourage use of drug
In September 2002, the committee released its final report saying, in part, that marijuana is less harmful than alcohol and should be governed by the same sort of regulations.
"Scientific evidence overwhelmingly indicates that cannabis is substantially less harmful than alcohol and should be treated not as a criminal issue but as a social and public health issue," said Nolin.
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Didn't see this in news - thought it was worth a read...
Charges dropped against American pot activist
Last Updated Wed, 27 Nov 2002 15:05:00
VANCOUVER - An American marijuana activist who claimed refugee status in B.C. has had all Canadian charges against him dropped.
Steve Kubby faced charges in the U.S. before he came to Canada and claimed refugee status. He has cancer and Health Canada has given him an exemption for medicinal marijuana.
Kubby was in court Monday to ask for the return of marijuana and growing equipment the RCMP took from him during a raid in April.
The judge not only ordered the return of Kubby's property, but also dropped charges of cultivating and possession for the purpose of trafficking against Kubby.
"It was very refreshing for us from the United States, because they were really concerned about our welfare and doing the right thing. And we've never seen that in a court before," said Kubby.
Kubby's celebration was short-lived, however, because he now faces an eight-day immigration hearing set for next March.
Kubby, who lives in Sechelt with his wife and two daughters, said he's worried politicians who oppose the decriminalization of marijuana will use his case as an example and will try to remove him from Canada.
"We're just a family trying to survive and trying to find a way that I can get this medicine that helps me," said Kubby.
"And they're looking at me as being a symbol for hordes of potheads coming up from America and taking over if they let me in. It's a big deal," he said.
Kubby said Health Canada's exemption for him and medical advances in this country have saved his life. He said he wants to become a Canadian citizen.
----------------------
For more info on Canada's reform stance on Marajuana:
http://cbc.ca/news/indepth/background/marijuana_legalize.html
-----------------------
In part....
A long-standing special Senate Committee on Illegal Drugs, headed by Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, held hearings on the issue as well. In May 2002, the committee presented a "discussion paper," summarizing the scientific evidence and opinion on marijuana, including:
Marijuana is "not a gateway" to harder drug, such as cocaine and heroine
Fewer than 10 per cent of users become addicted
A lot of public money is spent on law enforcement, even though public policies don't seem to discourage use of drug
In September 2002, the committee released its final report saying, in part, that marijuana is less harmful than alcohol and should be governed by the same sort of regulations.
"Scientific evidence overwhelmingly indicates that cannabis is substantially less harmful than alcohol and should be treated not as a criminal issue but as a social and public health issue," said Nolin.
---------------
Didn't see this in news - thought it was worth a read...
