Canadian judge Pierre Chevalier calls marijuana laws 'obsolete and ridiculous' as he awards a symbolic $1.30 fine
The Quebec judge said it was time to legalise the drug as people had been using it as a 'natural medicine' for centuries
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A judge in the Canadian province of Quebec has called laws governing cannabis "obsolete and ridiculous" as he handed a $1.30 penalty to a man sentenced for possession.
Judge Pierre Chevalier issue the symbolic fine to 46-year-old Mario Larouche, who had been found with 30 marijuana plants.
Larouche said he was in pain after a road accident and was unable to get a legitimate prescription for medical marijuana.
The prosecution had originally demanded he be sentenced to 90 days in prison and a $250 fine, according to Canadian newspaper Le Droit.
Judge Chevalier said: "If (Larouche) had a responsible doctor, he would probably have his prescription and he wouldn’t be here today.
"This is everything wrong with this system - you don’t have access to a natural medicine which has been used for centuries, millennia."
He called on the new government led by Justin Trudeau to legalise the drug.
He said: "We are in a society where people are accused of possession and use of marijuana - despite more than half the population having consumed it. These are laws that are obsolete and ridiculous.
"I think it is time we looked much more leniently at this."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments