April- Cannabis Legal Brief- "A Dearth of Precedence"- First Legal Challenge

Multiple Sclerosis- Cannabis Patient- Fighting Back-!
Michelle Grey

Salutations ~

Winnipeg resident, Rodney Clayton Felix received Canada's first jail time sentence for Cannabis possession and intent to distribute under the Cannabis Act guidelines.   The story can be followed at CBC-VICE and others. The end result-

10 Months in Jail.

Now Rodney is no stranger to the penal system, having spent 7 months prior for charges related trafficking cannabis and cocaine.  Having 83 grams, he was well over the 30 gram limit for personal use- and he was also in possession of a scale, dime bags, multiple cell phones and a folding knife.

He was arrested at an electronics store after becoming irate with staff- and punching a speaker, which prompted the criminal mischief charge he also pled guilty to.

Prosecuters were seeking 15 months, his attorney was looking to pay financial restitution, saying that he should be subject to fines for being over the limit- and maybe some government restitution for "taxes owed"

The Judge said- "Doesn't matter how you slice it, he's a drug dealer" and cited a "Dearth of Precedence" supporting his sentence of 10 months, 6 of which he has spent in custody since arrest.

There are overarching political, social and cultural factors in play- but I'm just focused on the cannabis here at Critical Bowl. But there's more!

NS woman mounting constitutional challenge to impaired driving laws surrounding Cannabis

Multiple Sclerosis patient Michelle Grey was arrested at a roadside checkstop after "failing" an impairment test for the presence of THC and was arrested in front of her teenage daughter.

Despite protests that she hadn't used her prescribed cannabis for at least 6 hours, she was brought to the station.  After showing no intoxication and passing the tests the officers had given on her, she was released with no charges- but a 1 week suspension of her license- a 400$ tow fee- and missed 4 days work.

Their mistake = her suffering and she is taking her suffering to court- being the first person to challenge the seemingly flawed system under the Cannabis Act.   Now remember- this could happen to you too-  Driving and smoking is not a great plan- Be cautious- and know where you can Legally store cannabis in your vehicle. It varies from province to province a bit, and might surprise you. 

I will be keeping a close eye on this and will update accordingly.