Wednesday, April 11. 2018

Today's schedule is B-A-D-C-Flex

B Block 9:00 – 10:00
AG 10:05 – 10:15
A Block 10:20 – 11:20
Lunch 11:20 – 12:00
D Block 12:05 – 1:05
C Block 1:10 – 2:10
Personalized Learning 2:10 – 3:15

B Block Introduction to Law 10 - Today we'll look at the advantages of trial by jury and understand the methods and challenges to jury selection. After we'll focus on the presentation of evidence (Crown first then Defence), the rules of evidence (including voire dire), and types of evidence (circumstantial, hearsay, privileged, and character). I'll have you finish your work on questions 1, 3, 4, and 5 on page 90 and questions 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 on page 97 of your All About Law text. For more on juries in BC check out Justice BC - What is Jury Duty?

A Block Law 12 - Today, we'll begin our look at the Controlled Drug and Substances Act in Canada. We'll examine the legal definition of a "drug" (with the LeDain Commission explanation) and discuss what depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens are. We'll examine schedules I - VIII in the act that prohibit and restrict substances (Opium Poppy, Coca, Cannabis, Amphetamines, Barbiturates, Anabolic Steroids, and a host of others that I can not spell or pronounce). You'll have four questions to complete:

1. What is the legal definition of a drug?
2. What are the elements of a charge for possession?
3. Describe two situations in which someone may be charged with possession while not physically possessing the drug.
4. What is "Intent to Possess"? Is intent necessary for a charge of possession?

After this, I'll have you get together with a partner and discuss the R. v. Parker, 2000 case from the text. I'll expect that you will be able to discuss the questions (1-4) on the case and have a conversation about medical marijuana together and with the class as a whole. The case enabled the use of marijuana for medical purposes in Canada. We'll discuss who is allowed to obtain legal permission to possess through the old MMAP - Marijuana Medical Access Program (now called Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations - ACMPR).

Category 1: This category is comprised of any symptoms treated within the context of providing compassionate end-of-life care; or the symptoms associated with the specified medical conditions listed in the schedule to the Regulations, namely:

• Severe pain and/or persistent muscle spasms from multiple sclerosis;
• Severe pain and/or persistent muscle spasms from a spinal cord injury;
• Severe pain and/or persistent muscle spasms from spinal cord disease;
• Severe pain, cachexia, anorexia, weight loss, and/or severe nausea from cancer;
• Severe pain, cachexia, anorexia, weight loss, and/or severe nausea from HIV/AIDS infection;
• Severe pain from severe forms of arthritis; or
• Seizures from epilepsy.

Applicants must provide a declaration from a medical practitioner to support their application.

Category 2: is for applicants who have debilitating symptom(s) of medical condition(s), other than those described in Category 1. Under Category 2, persons with debilitating symptoms can apply to obtain an Authorization to Possess dried marihuana for medical purposes, if a specialist confirms the diagnosis and that conventional treatments have failed or judged inappropriate to relieve symptoms of the medical condition. While an assessment of the applicant's case by a specialist is required, the treating physician, whether or not a specialist, can sign the medical declaration.

The newer Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) allows individuals authorized to use cannabis for medical purposes by a health care practitioner to continue having the option of purchasing safe, quality-controlled cannabis from one of the 34 producers licensed by Health Canada. They will also have the option of producing a limited amount of cannabis for their own medical purposes, or designating someone to produce it for them.With the appropriate medical document from their health care practitioner, individuals can apply to register with Health Canada to produce a limited amount of cannabis for their own medical purposes or to designate someone to produce it for them. With registration, individuals will be allowed to produce a limited number of plants based on a formula that takes into account the individual’s daily dose (i.e. quantity authorized by their physician) and the average yield of a plant under certain growing conditions, such as indoor or outdoor growing.

The amount of dried marijuana you can possess is the lesser of thirty times the daily amount stipulated by your healthcare practitioner or 150 grams. For example, if your healthcare practitioner recommends 3 grams per day, you would be allowed a maximum of 90 grams at any one time (30 days × 3 grams)

For more see:
CBC News Health
CBC News: Medical Marijuana Law Under Review
Ottawa Citizen: Most Medical Marijuana Users are Middle-Aged Men

The current government of Canada has passed legislation (waiting for Senate approval) to make legalization a reality in Canada on or before July 1, 2018 which will include:

1. A minimum age of 18 to buy marijuana, though provinces and territories will have the option of setting a higher age limit.
2. Allowing Canadians to grow four marijuana plants per household.
3. Licensing of producers, as well as ensuring the safety and security of the marijuana supply, will be a federal concern.
4. Provinces and territories will set the price for marijuana and decide how it is distributed and sold.

British Columbia’s minimum age to possess, purchase and consume cannabis will be 19 years old, consistent with B.C.’s minimum age for alcohol and tobacco and with the age of majority in B.C. British Columbians of legal age will be able to purchase non-medical cannabis through privately run retail stores or government-operated retail stores and online sales. In urban areas, licensed retailers will not be able to sell cannabis in the same stores as liquor or tobacco. Adults aged 19 and above, will be allowed to possess up to 30 grams of non-medical cannabis in a public place, which aligns with the federal government's proposed possession limit for adults. B.C. will generally allow adults to use non-medical cannabis in public spaces where tobacco smoking and vaping are permitted (except for areas frequented by children, including community beaches, parks and playgrounds)

D Block Human Geography 11 - Today with Mr. V we'll examine the question "How do different religions diffuse across the globe"?

So after the video I'll ask you to discuss in groups why it is that religions like Hinduism and Judaism did not diffuse far from their hearths while religions like Islam and Christianity spread very far very quick. We'll have a quick Power Point and then you'll draw on your world religion map arrows showing how religions have diffused from the hearths that you stared in previous lessons. Lastly, you'll write a few paragraphs of at least four sentences each saying what you would include in a religion if they wanted it to spread quickly.

C Block Criminology 12 - Today we'll start our look at white collar crime. We will begin by learning how to identify a pyramid / ponzi scam (for more take a look at How Stuff Works). Next, we'll look at individual exploitation of an institutional position, influence peddling & bribery, theft and employee fraud, client fraud and corporate crime. I'll introduce to Edwin H. Sutherland's Differential Association Theory (he introduced the concept "white collar crime").  A great example of embezzlement and swindling was presented by John Oliver on Last Week Tonight
Another really good example of a text message scam can be found in a CBC news story...where bad cheques are forged and passed on to unsuspecting victims.

We'll also see what we can find on the Internet about white collar crime....spoiler alert LOTS!
National Check Fraud Center
Robert O. Keel White Collar Crime
Canadian Encyclopedia White Collar Crime
Federal Bureau of Investigation White Collar Crime Division
Understanding White Collar Crime
News Stories of White Collar Crime