What are the actual marijauna laws in Canada? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

jayswin · 09-08-2012, 07:39 PM

Coming from a (mostly) non-pot smoker, I'm confused as to what the actual laws are, because I've heard different things from different people.

As far as I understood, it had been decriminalized for personal use. But then a couple of months ago I heard some politician arguing that we should decriminalize weed in Canada, and I thought "okay, did Harper somehow make it criminal again and I just missed it?".

Also, as I understand it, you can still get in trouble for have personal amounts, but you just can't be charged with anything? Like is it a ticketable offense or something? Or do they just take what you have and send you on your way?

burn_this_city · 09-08-2012, 07:46 PM

It's still fully criminal. The bill to decriminalize died in parliament during the last liberal government of Paul Martin. If you get caught and convicted of possession you'll be permanently barred from countries like the US.

Daradon · 09-08-2012, 07:49 PM

Good thread. I have no idea either. What I think happened was the actual bill for the decriminalization never went through. I forget if it was due to the incoming Conservative government or not. But I am certain that they don't want it decriminalized or legalized as it stands now.

I also heard police officers are very confused about all the confusion and grey in the current laws and situation.

The funny thing is it has become so socially accepted. This is really making things confusing for both sides.

jayswin · 09-08-2012, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daradon

Good thread. I have no idea either. What I think happened was the actual bill for the decriminalization never went through. I forget if it was due to the incoming Conservative government or not. But I am certain that they don't want it decriminalized or legalized as it stands now.

I also heard police officers are very confused about all the confusion and grey in the current laws and situation.

The funny thing is it has become so socially accepted. This is really making things confusing for both sides.

Yeah, cause even in the US you'll often hear media and politians point to decriminlization in Canada, and how well it's worked here, and yet as I'm finding out now, it's not even true. Weird.

opendoor · 09-08-2012, 07:55 PM

The laws (other than for medical marijuana) are basically the same as they always were; it's a crime to possess any amount. That said, the enforcement has changed over time and regardless of what the current laws are, the chance of getting a criminal record or even arrested based on possessing a few grams of marijuana is effectively zero. Police and the courts are concerned with trafficking and not personal use.

Daradon · 09-08-2012, 08:03 PM

^^^ That's what I have felt is generally true. Well the law part is absolutely true, I just meant the feelings on arrest and prosecution.

Though Harper wanting to toughen up the laws (I think six plants is proof of intent to traffic?) is definitely upsetting. Did that part of the 'crime bill' ever go through?

09-08-2012, 08:19 PM

Check the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

As stated, possession of any amount of marihuana is criminal. The type of charge depends on the amount you can are found with (summary vs indictable).

jayswin · 09-08-2012, 08:24 PM

nm

underGRADFlame · 09-08-2012, 08:48 PM

PDF of the CDSA

Maritime Q-Scout · 09-08-2012, 09:00 PM

And quick Google & wikipedia search yields

1. Still illegal
2. Depending on the quantity can be either summary or indictable
3. There are Ontario court of appeal cases that have made rulings but nothing seems to have happened as a result (these are what you need to be looking into I'd think)

That said, it's Google and wikipedia take it all with a big grain of salt.

From a practical standpoint it's probably one of those things that if you aren't bothering anyone who cares (like doing 5 over the limit, which is technically illegal) but with the ramifications of a criminal record, don't smoke out in the open, you might run into an arsehole cop having a bad day in which case you don't really have an argument in defense.

Pierre "Monster" McGuire · 09-08-2012, 09:28 PM

Personally, I don't smoke pot, but I've been with my cousin numerous times when he's been pulled over while smoking a joint.

I don't know about elsewhere, but everytime my cousin's been pulled over it has been in the Lower Mainland and the cops simply seize the joint and crush it on the ground and say, "have a nice day".

So, from real world experiences the cops are fairly lenient unless you've got a crap ton on you. At least in the Lower Mainland that's how I've experienced it.

saskflames69 · 09-08-2012, 10:30 PM

Weed is easier to get than liquor, that's for sure. Feel like lighting up tonight? No problem, there's 6 kids in the classroom who could sell you a gram or two. Feel like getting drunk tonight? Unless you have someone to pull, and believe me it is difficult to find someone willing to do so, good luck.

3 Justin 3 · 09-08-2012, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saskflames69

Weed is easier to get than liquor, that's for sure. Feel like lighting up tonight? No problem, there's 6 kids in the classroom who could sell you a gram or two. Feel like getting drunk tonight? Unless you have someone to pull, and believe me it is difficult to find someone willing to do so, good luck.

If we didn't already know you're a kid, this post would point to it.

Pretty sure everyone on CP can just drive to the store and buy some liquor.

I get your point though.

saskflames69 · 09-08-2012, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3 Justin 3

If we didn't already know you're a kid, this post would point to it.

Pretty sure everyone on CP can just drive to the store and buy some liquor.

I get your point though.

Yes, but the problem is that I can't.

You guys probably remember when that was the case and how friggin' difficult it was to get liquor in HS. If not, you either had strict parents or a DUYA.

Back onto the weed topic, my friend just texted me asking if I had any. I stopped that stuff back at the start of August, but if I actually had some, it would prove my point that weed is easier to acquire than liquor in high school.

Alberta_Beef · 09-09-2012, 12:30 AM

I always found liquor easy to come by in school, but then again fines for selling to underage people have increased exponentially in the last 13-15 years.

SebC · 09-09-2012, 12:32 AM

Q: What are the actual marijuana law in Canada?

A: Ridiculous, and gonna get worse. This is one of the reasons why you should not elect Stephen Harper in the next election.

Flames_Gimp · 09-09-2012, 12:36 AM

i think its guaranteed jail time if you have 4 plants (or is it 6?) or more...thanks Harper

saskflames69 · 09-09-2012, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SebC

Q: What are the actual marijuana law in Canada?

A: Ridiculous, and gonna get worse. This is one of the reasons why you should not elect Stephen Harper in the next election.

If the Liberals get their stuff together, I seriously hope they win the next election.

EDIT: This guy is running for the Liberal leadership. Awesome name. I hope he wins!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bertschi

jayswin · 09-09-2012, 12:45 AM

Yeah, I used to be a big supporter of Harper. But he's starting to go full ###### in a lot of ways these past few years. We're seeing the true conservative come out in him.

Daradon · 09-09-2012, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flameswin

Yeah, I used to be a big supporter of Harper. But he's starting to go full ###### in a lot of ways these past few years. We're seeing the true conservative come out in him.

True dat. The minority kept his social conservatism in check. Now with a majority we're seeing the social side of the conservative policy. :/

Oh well, by the sounds of Ontario and Quebec, he won't win next time. All the Liberals have to do is elect a leader with more brains than Dion and more charisma than Ignatieff...

Aw crap...