Cannabis has been illegal in Canada since 1923.
Legalization, set for Oct. 17, has been a long while coming. Over those hundred years of prohibition, control of the substance has become lax, especially with respect to users of the substance (rather than dealers). On Oct. 3, the federal NDP even tabled a bill that would expunge simple possession records for all Canadians.
We at the newspaper have rarely — if ever — seen someone get more than a slap on the wrist for a simple possession charge with respect to marijuana. Usually, the sentences are conditional or small fines.
But last week, a man was fined $1,350 dollars after 0.1 grams of weed was found in his backseat. If he does not pay the fine, he will face 11 days in prison.
As the days count down until marijuana is legal in Canada, this is going to be one of the last possession of marijuana charges on the books.
This isn’t a major bust. For those who do not know, 0.1 grams of marijuana is quite small. It is not enough for a joint; it is barely enough to smoke. Priceofweed.com states a gram of marijuana in Alberta averages about $5, meaning 0.1 grams is about 50 cents.
It seems almost a waste of the court system’s time, if not for the location the marijuana was found.
That said, according to what the court heard, he was not high. He was not found driving his vehicle while intoxicated. He pleaded guilty to simply possession of a controlled substance.
Governments and the justice system have been preparing the tools and mechanisms to charge people for driving while high for a long while.
And as it is illegal to drive with open liquor within reach in a vehicle in Alberta, we believe it would make sense to have similar laws and penalties in this province.
Weed will be legal next week. As Town of Athabasca Mayor Colleen Powell said , “Frankly, I doubt there’s going to be that much change, except initially in the first few months.”
We tend to think so, too. But as marijuana comes out of the shadows, let’s make sure it stays out of vehicles.
