Cannabis As Living Medicine (CALM) founder Neev Tapiero spent last night in Canada’s worst prison, The Don Jail. After efforts to spring his release by lawyer Ron Marzel failed yesterday. Today’s bail hearing, Friday, August 5 is going to be fascinating. I sat around Old City Hall yesterday, Thursday, August 4, watching the wheels of justice ground and pound them. Marzel sought to have the matter heard before a judge. Not a justice of the peace.

Given the backlog created by prohibition an opportunity to find a two hour block of court time will not be an easy task. Today the prohibition problem will be enhanced because it’s Friday during the dog days of summer. The court will have to deal with arrests made last night in Toronto. Then get to previous day arrests and so and on and on and on. Marzel requires a judge to be cooperative for the hearing to be “kicked upstairs” where he can raise medicinal marijuana case law.

Marzel proclaimed, “this is a travesty” when told there’s no judge available. The JP agreed, noting that many people were experiencing the same problem as his client. Going further to note there’s a backlog in bail court too. It was already 330, court staff didn’t receive their full hour for lunch, they hadn’t even begun the afternoon session. Welcome to August at Old City Hall in Toronto.  It’s clogged up down here.

Meaning it’s three to a cell at The Don Jail.

Neev’s spirits were bright when he saw a pack courtroom. He looked weary. As to be expected. But he smiled for us. It was difficult to watch him and Marzel get crushed by the courts. Like the Simpson’s episode where Ralph Wigam’s heart is broken by Lisa Simpson, Choo Choo Choose Neev. Bail court is a regular Toronto Hash Mob appearance. We’ve done so many we can make odds on Neev’s release. And it’s not looking good today either.

Anticipate hearing the prosecutor argue this is not a medicinal marijuana case. The crown dropped a bomb on bail court. Announcing Toronto Police Service allege they found a  volume of GHB and a qp of mushrooms.

“Is that the date rape drug?” The JP needed clarification on something. There was a great deal of shock in the court room. Note it was at Tapiero’s private residence, not CALM.

Unfortunately, two of Tapiero’s charges have nothing to do with medicinal marijuana. Making a med pot case via case law somewhat difficult. The crown will run with the two other Controlled Drugs and Substance Act charges. The bar for release on bail maybe very steep for Neev, but not impossible.

Or we could witness Marzel slam a very impressive A-Rod style home run.

Today there should be a few moments of great excitement. With long hours of dullness thrown in. Members of Toronto Hash Mob are vowing to picket Old City Hall, 60 Queen St. West, during the afternoon session with megaphones and literature.