Jess
07-22-2003, 10:52 AM
http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2003/07/22/stolen_marijuana030722
Subject is believed to be a male between 16 and 60 with a bag of "nacho cheesier" doritos in his left hand and a playstation2 controller in his right.
THORNHILL, ONT. - York Regional Police north of Toronto are investigating a complaint about stolen marijuana ? the first since an Ontario court decision that effectively decriminalized possession of the drug, they say.
INDEPTH: Marijuana
An 18-year-old woman in the northern Toronto suburb of Thornhill filed the complaint last week. She claimed to have been robbed of about $20 worth of marijuana by two men, and assaulted when she tried to retrieve it.
Police call report of $20 worth of marijuana 'a strange story'
"It's a strange story because we've never had anyone call in to say they've had their drugs stolen," said Const. Steve Morrell.
The incident is believed to be the first reported case of stolen marijuana in the Greater Toronto Area since May. That's when a judge in Windsor ruled that possession of less than 30 grams of pot is no longer illegal.
That decision only applies in Ontario, but the federal government is proposing to decriminalize simple marijuana possession.
FROM MAY 27, 2003: New pot bill introduced in House
Since that decision, Morrell said police have seen a more relaxed attitude towards marijuana use, including motorists who smoke it in their cars.
"There is no law that stipulates that if you have any amount of marijuana (in your system) that you're driving while impaired," he noted. "In fact, there's no way for us ? outside of a blood test ? to be able to tell if someone is under the influence of marijuana."
Although the status of the law is still unclear, Morrell says people are obviously comfortable enough to report someone stealing their drugs.
He said police are taking the robbery allegation seriously, and are looking for suspects.
Subject is believed to be a male between 16 and 60 with a bag of "nacho cheesier" doritos in his left hand and a playstation2 controller in his right.
THORNHILL, ONT. - York Regional Police north of Toronto are investigating a complaint about stolen marijuana ? the first since an Ontario court decision that effectively decriminalized possession of the drug, they say.
INDEPTH: Marijuana
An 18-year-old woman in the northern Toronto suburb of Thornhill filed the complaint last week. She claimed to have been robbed of about $20 worth of marijuana by two men, and assaulted when she tried to retrieve it.
Police call report of $20 worth of marijuana 'a strange story'
"It's a strange story because we've never had anyone call in to say they've had their drugs stolen," said Const. Steve Morrell.
The incident is believed to be the first reported case of stolen marijuana in the Greater Toronto Area since May. That's when a judge in Windsor ruled that possession of less than 30 grams of pot is no longer illegal.
That decision only applies in Ontario, but the federal government is proposing to decriminalize simple marijuana possession.
FROM MAY 27, 2003: New pot bill introduced in House
Since that decision, Morrell said police have seen a more relaxed attitude towards marijuana use, including motorists who smoke it in their cars.
"There is no law that stipulates that if you have any amount of marijuana (in your system) that you're driving while impaired," he noted. "In fact, there's no way for us ? outside of a blood test ? to be able to tell if someone is under the influence of marijuana."
Although the status of the law is still unclear, Morrell says people are obviously comfortable enough to report someone stealing their drugs.
He said police are taking the robbery allegation seriously, and are looking for suspects.