Pubdate: Wed, 23 Mar 2016 Source: North Island Gazette (CN BC) Copyright: 2016 Black Press Contact: http://www.northislandgazette.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2783 Author: Michael J. Dee RECREATIONAL USERS DENIED EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER CHARTER OF RIGHTS Tom Fletcher wrote, "The Federal Court decreed last week that people have the right to grow their own 'medical' marijuana." If he read the decision he would have said the right of liberty gave persons protection to grow medical marijuana against unreasonable police power, discriminating against recreational users. Every person arrested has been deprived of their liberty and has the right as a defence to claim the marijuana laws are unreasonable and arbitrary. Criminalizing marijuana cannot be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. Possessing marijuana is not a threat to the rights of others, public safety. Why are recreational users denied equal protection of law, sections 1, 7, 8, and 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms? 1. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees the rights and freedoms set out in it subject only to such reasonable limits prescribed by law as can be demonstrably justified in a free and democratic society. 7. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice. 8. Everyone has the right to be secure against unreasonable search or seizure. 15. (1) Every individual is equal before and under the law, and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination. Michael J. Dee Augusta, Maine - --- MAP posted-by: Matt