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The Federal Government has finally approved a second roadside testing device for cannabis. It’s no surprise, really. The Drager DrugTest 5000 has been the subject of intense criticism for its numerous failings, including its failure to work on cold temperatures and the lengthy period of time that an analysis takes. In fact, the criticism of the device was so significant that many police forces across Canada have simply refused to use the device.

So the approval of a second device seemed a natural progression.

The Abbott SoToxa is hard to find any information about online. This is likely deliberate. The Abbott SoToxa is a new name for the Alere DDS-2. Alere was recently purchased by the Abbott company, and with it came the rebranding of their line of drug detection devices. But don’t be fooled by the rebranding: this is the same device that was field-tested by Canadian police forces prior to cannabis legalization. …

SoToxaRead More »

This week on Weird and Wacky Wednesdays, we look at just how far one jealous ex-lover will go — and it’s way farther than Instagram stalking. Then, we consider the case of a very well-trained parrot. Finally, we look at another example of domestic jealousy, but this time after a wife discovered that her husband just could not give up the pornography channel.

Follow the jump to read this week’s roundup of weird and wacky legal cases from around the globe. …

Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume Forty NineRead More »

A Supreme Court of British Columbia ruling has affirmed limitations placed on questioning by police during vehicle stops. The decision upholds previous case law that the scope of an officer’s questioning at the roadside must comply with the purpose of pulling someone over. That means evidence gathered during a stop for a traffic violation has to relate to the investigation into the traffic violation itself. Police officers cannot simply pull you over under the pretence of a routine traffic stop in order to conduct an investigation into a separate, more serious criminal matter without your knowing.

Every Canadian has the right not to be arbitrarily detained or imprisoned as well as various rights while they are arrested or detained. These rights are protected by the Charter. When a person is detained or questioned at the roadside this is an infringement of those rights. Infringements of rights are constitutionally valid so long as there is a valid reason and that reason can be justified under specific legislation. The enforcement of traffic laws is seen as a reasonable limit on motorist’s liberty. …

Limitations on questioning during vehicle stopsRead More »

This week, Weird and Wacky Wednesdays finally gets the joy of reviewing a second Lorena Bobbitt style incident. Then, we look at the case of a traffic stop where the person who was pulled over was not what was expected at all. Finally, we look at what is undeniably the weirdest visit to a Walmart that has ever occurred, at least outside the state of Florida. …

Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: Volume Forty EightRead More »