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Legality of the upcoming Marijuana March
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| cenik |
So, as well all know the 9th annual Global Marijuana March is taking place this Sat @ Queens Park (*see main thread). I simply wanted to ask those of you who have attended this event about your previous experiences. I understand that not one criminal charge has ever been laid during one of these events (cannabisweek.ca) but can someone give me a sense of how the police act? Considering that i) possession and trafficking of cannabis is illegal, ii) the Conservatives (re: hard line on drugs) are in power, and iii) upwards of 20,000 will be violating our country's drug laws, I'd expect that the police won't be conducting themselves with the kindest of dispositions--or is it the exact opposite, i.e., are the police easy-going? Are vehicles searched? Are there police all over watching for buying/selling? Etc etc. Also, will there be media coverage? Will any politicians or other authoritative figures be present? Drug-wise, is there anything one really ought to avoid doing in order to prevent unwanted police harassment?
Thanks for any relevant info.
BTW, I can't wait for the 4-20 sparking: thousands of ppl blazing at the same time sounds like good times indeed. |
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| chinamon |
| well, based on last year's event, the cops kept to themselves. they let people do their thing. i think they were only there for crowd control (ie if a fight breaks out). tons of people were smoking doobs next to cops and nothing happend. |
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| Halycon |
the cops are mainly there for crowd controll purposes, and to assist in the case of an emergency.
and i guess to look out for traficing, and underaged drinking. |
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| chinamon |
| quote: | Originally posted by Halycon
the cops are mainly there for crowd controll purposes, and to assist in the case of an emergency.
and i guess to look out for traficing, and underaged drinking. |
or any drinking for that matter since its public property. |
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| sensorika |
| Dude non trafficking cannabis crimes have not been actively prosecuted for a looooooonnnnnng time. where have u been living? |
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| Oreo_The_Cookie |
| From what I understand as long as you're not buying or selling you have nothing to worry about. |
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| above'N'beyond |
Dude it is absolutely liberating. The cops totally keep to themselves, in fact it is hard to even see them through the clouds of delicious smoke. But seriously, they barely even make a presence. The only time they are really seen is during the parade, where they line the streets and watch and laugh as thousands blow smoke in their faces. I made small talk with cops while smoking a half-quarter blunt. People literally walking down the street with 6' tall bongs !!!
During the day there are thousands just chilling in queens park, smoking, frisbee, hakysack etc....
All I have to say is God Bless Canada! |
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| Jem_hadar |
| quote: | Originally posted by above'N'beyond
hakysack etc....
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I miss this! Hackeysacking while stoned would be SO GREAT to do again! |
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| lounger540 |
I saw a story about a chick that was pissed you couldn't walk around topless in Miami, like during bike week. SO she had a topless march in protest and was arrested. The courts found even though being topless was illegal, they could do it in the at a non-violent protest legally as protected under free speech.
Now of course this has no merit on Canadian law, but I wonder if the same applies? Is smoking a joint during a rally an act of free speech? |
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| nusty |
| quote: | Originally posted by lounger540
I saw a story about a chick that was pissed you couldn't walk around topless in Miami, like during bike week. SO she had a topless march in protest and was arrested. The courts found even though being topless was illegal, they could do it in the at a non-violent protest legally as protected under free speech.
Now of course this has no merit on Canadian law, but I wonder if the same applies? Is smoking a joint during a rally an act of free speech? |
first of all, in Canada women can walk around topless legally.
Second of all, the Sticky Icky has been practically (if not entirely, I'm not sure) decriminalized for minor possession. They don't lay charges for small quantities the rest of the year and sure as hell even more unlikely to get one this week for personal possession. Selling is obviously another issue.
Your question is really a mute point. Sure it can be free speech if you want it to be. |
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| lounger540 |
| quote: | Originally posted by nusty
first of all, in Canada women can walk around topless legally.
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Err, yeah which is why I said in Miami. It was a story of example, not a mute point.
And secondly, no, it's still illegal even if they are liberal in enforcing it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_...cannabis#Canada |
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| cenik |
| quote: | Originally posted by sensorika
Dude non trafficking cannabis crimes have not been actively prosecuted for a looooooonnnnnng time. where have u been living? |
Fact: the vast majority of all drug-related offences in Canada each year are cannabis-related; and the vast majority of the latter offences are for personal possession.
| quote: | Originally posted by sensorika
where have u been living? |
In Mississauga, studying issues like these @ UofT (downtown) for the past three years as part of my criminology major.
| quote: | Originally posted by nusty
first of all, in Canada women can walk around topless legally. |
This is a common misconception: it is NOT the case that women are legally permitted to walk around topless in Canada. Rather, in the 'landmark' decision which is frequently misrepresented as equating to the legalization of female toplessness in this country, the judge ruled that the specific charge against the woman could not produce a conviction b/c the judge concluded that the community standard of tolerance test, when applied to her particular community, would insist that such a nude act would not offend the community's standards. This means that another judge in another community can indeed convict someone for toplessness if the former concludes that the latter's community would not tolerate such behaviour.
| quote: | | Originally posted by nusty Second of all, the Sticky Icky has been practically (if not entirely, I'm not sure) decriminalized for minor possession. They don't lay charges for small quantities the rest of the year and sure as hell even more unlikely to get one this week for personal possession. Selling is obviously another issue. |
Possession of marijuana has, in no sense of the word, been decriminalized in Canada. According to the letter of the law and law enforcement's willingness to lay charges for possession, having cannabis on your person or in your residence is illegal. Conditional discharges and probation--if I recall correctly--are the typical dispositions handed out upon conviction.
| quote: | Originally posted by nusty
Your question is really a mute point. Sure it can be free speech if you want it to be. |
The GMM is not concerned with free expression; rather, it is arguably protected by S.2 of the Charter pertaining to freedom of association. |
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