"We thought America was the best in the world." "This can't be happening." That's how Saw Marvellous Soe and Eh Wah described their astonishment after police seized more than $ 53,000 in cash from Eh Wah's car in Muskogee, Okla., in February. Eh Wah is tour manager for a Christian rock band led by Marvellous that played in 19 U.S. cities, raising money from concerts to support an orphanage in Thailand and a Christian college in Burma. Worthy causes, no doubt. But when law enforcement found the cash during a routine traffic stop, a little-known legal process known as "civil asset forfeiture" allowed police officers to seize it, and whatever other property they wanted, without having to prove that Eh Wah was guilty of a crime. [continues 535 words]
Sophie Reid said she knew the legalization of marijuana in Canada was inevitable. But now that the federal Liberal government has finally announced plans to legalize and regulate marijuana in Canada by the spring of 2017, Reid is not sure what it will mean for her and her business. Reid is part owner of the Cowichan Valley Access Centre, one of two medical marijuana dispensaries currently operating in the Cowichan Valley. The other is WarmLand Cannabis in Mill Bay. "I'm excited about the government's announcement," Reid said. "(Prime Minister Justin) Trudeau said he would invest in the middle class, and that's what we are, so we see this as a fulfillment of a promise." [continues 862 words]
Old marijuana shop is not in compliance with new rules One of Vancouver's oldest medical-marijuana dispensaries is vowing to defy the order to lock up shop by midnight Friday after being refused under the city's new regulatory regime. "We're not going to close," said Dana Larsen, the founding director of The Medicinal Marijuana Dispensary. "We've not been approved yet," he added, pointing out that the non- profit society operates two dispensaries - one at 880 East Hastings, which opened in 2007, and another at 1182 Thurlow at Davie, opened in 2010. [continues 498 words]
Concertgoers Indulge in Marijuana in Violation of City Law. WEST PALM BEACH - After 7:30 p.m. Friday night, you could smell it. There was no escaping the odor, which permeated the night sky like smoke bellowing from a chimney. The stench of marijuana was as prevalent and as synonymous with SunFest as the downtown traffic jams. While the crowd can easily tell you what was being smoked, it - like law enforcement - cannot tell you specifically who was smoking it. As one vendor, who requested to remain anonymous, remarked, "It is impossible to pinpoint where it is happening at." [continues 586 words]
TRENTON - Less than 30 hours after his East State Street businesses were raided by police, Ed Forchion was back at the Joint, rolling a joint and vowing to beat county prosecutors in court. "They just gave me another platform to continue my goal," Forchion told The Trentonian at 10:30 p.m. Thursday, about two hours after his release from jail. "This is exactly what happened in Burlington County. I beat those prosecutors, and I'll beat the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office too. They're on the wrong side of history." [continues 643 words]
TRENTON - Prosecutors say complaints from the community regarding constant foot traffic in and out of Ed Forchion's businesses sparked a two-month investigation that resulted in his property being raided Wednesday afternoon. Prosecutors also say they received information from multiple sources that Forchion, a pot legalization activist known as NJ Weedman, was distributing marijuana from out of the premises. The Mercer County Narcotics Task Force raided Forchion's businesses, which includes a restaurant, religious sanctuary and tobacco shop, on East State Street and allegedly seized more than $19,000 in marijuana. [continues 436 words]
The City of Orlando 2016-36 Ordinance relating to the possession of cannabis and cannabis paraphernalia encourages bad behavior. Accountability to our community as a whole for a wholesome life is a must for us as elected officials. If we were to sanction this ordinance, we would be going down a very slippery slope. People are confused. Some think this measure would decriminalize, or legalize, marijuana, and others think it allows the use of medical marijuana. People need to know, and understand, that this ordinance would make it easier for criminals to use marijuana with fewer criminal charges and less punishment. [continues 401 words]
The reek assaulted the nostrils from a block away. Deep inside the Weed Wednesday - formally 420 Toronto - demonstration at Yonge-Dundas Square, averting a contact high was challenging. Not so bad as that time the Star sent me to Amsterdam, on the paper's expense account, to investigate legal pot use and it took two days to recover from my research before I was fit to file. Wednesday I eased the queasiness by sticking my head inside a chip wagon and inhaling deeply. Rather the smell of oil and grease than grass fumes. [continues 798 words]
Thousands Gather, Celebrate Announcement Of Coming Legislation The new Sunset Beach location for the annual 420 gathering was a hit with protesters and vendors alike on Wednesday - with thousands assembling on the shores of English Bay. And the federal government's announcement that legislation to legalize and regulate marijuana is coming next spring made for a celebratory mood. "What an incredible synchronicity that they announced that they're going to be legalizing in Canada next year," said co-organizer and Sensible BC director Dana Larsen. [continues 292 words]
Optimism mixed with thick clouds of pot smoke in downtown Vancouver last year as tens of thousands of people gathered for the annual "4-20" marijuana legalization rally under a massive banner featuring Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's face on a rolling paper. But this year, the event's chief organizer, Jodie Emery, says that "inaction" by the newly elected federal Liberals makes the protest "more necessary than ever." "Last summer, I was joking I'm going to be out of work as an activist because we don't have debates anymore, there's no one fighting to keep it illegal," said Ms. Emery, who is the wife of "Prince of Pot" Marc Emery. "But fast forward to today and the mood is different." [continues 367 words]
Monica Leon waited outside the Cow Palace Saturday morning, beneath a low-lying cloud that lingered above the heads of the 100 or so people waiting in line around her. She took a long drag from a joint and passed it to the guy next to her. People cheered with excitement. Loud reggae music echoed out of the nearby building. A strong aroma filled the air. It was the second day of HempCon, the popular cannabis industry event that fills the Cow Palace a few times each year with an array of eager-to-sell medical marijuana vendors, paraphernalia enthusiasts, marijuana activist groups and interested medical marijuana cardholders. [continues 536 words]
Every week, one Unionville resident stopped in at the local convenience store to buy milk and lottery tickets. That is until she noticed some of what she considered unsightly items for sale - hash pipes, bongs and rolling papers. "The items were in a glass case. I never noticed them before," said Ayse Tanacan. "This is a nice neighbourhood. There is no need for that to be sold here. Whoever is buying this stuff is coming into our neighbourhood." To make matters worse, Daisy Mart - located at the corner of Carlton Road and Village Parkway - is near a local elementary school and is a popular spot for older students to buy gum and candy. [continues 758 words]
The Iconic Stoner Chats With Us About Detroit, Cancer, and Donald Trump It's a Friday morning, and Tommy Chong is about to ride up John R in a replica of The Love Machine, the 1964 Chevy Impala from Up in Smoke. He has one hand on the chain link steering wheel and what Cheech Marin might call a Led Zeppelin-sized joint in the other. When asked if he wants to blaze, though, the most iconic of stoners declines. "It's still Michigan," he says. [continues 1307 words]
Re: Battle lines drawn on proposed safe injection site for Ottawa, April 6. I am writing in response to your report on Mayor Jim Watson's and Chief Charles Bordeleau's objection to safe injection sites for those citizens struggling with addiction. Your reporter refers to the practice of harm reduction as "controversial." In fact, "harm reduction" is a well-established pillar in the treatment of addictions and the city of Ottawa ought not to restrict its use. Safe injection sites also promote better public health by ensuring that drug paraphernalia are disposed of effectively and that sufferers are not exposed to blood-borne illnesses through the use of "dirty" needles. A harm reduction strategy is best practice in the treatment of addictions and the city should be attentive to that in these days when health care dollars are scarce. Gail Beck, Ottawa, Director, Youth Outpatient Psychiatry, The Royal [end]
The city is keeping an eye on Campbell River's medical marijuana dispensaries which opened their doors last week. Bylaw officers have already visited WeeMedical Dispensary Society which is offering marijuana products from a storefront on 13th Avenue but the operators say they welcome the scrutiny. "I want everybody to feel comfortable. We're not sneaking in," says Joel Wilson, the co-operator of WeeMedical's Campbell River arm. Campbell River has now joined the ranks of B.C. communities that are being forced to deal with these operations in the absence of clear legal standing. Port Alberni has seven marijuana dispensaries and WeeMedical was one of them, opening last fall under the threat of prosecution from the city's RCMP detachment. The police and the city have since backed off of those threats and the city has actually issued a business licence to WeeMedical in Port Alberni. [continues 596 words]
The concept of harm reduction is the basis of the proposed Ottawa insite. Harm reduction might sound like a relatively mundane idea - providing an environment that renders intrinsically dangerous acts and habits safer - but its amplification and application over the past decade has made harm reduction a synonym for addiction facilitation. It has not only been applied to drug use but seemingly unrelated ventures as prostitution as well. Alcoholics can now experience controlled drinking during substance abuse treatment. Regardless of the poison, the argument remains the same: though the activity might not be advantageous, with the proper structure, we can make it safer and save lives. [continues 551 words]
Medical marijuana dispensary opens downtown Those looking to smoke up for medical reasons now have another option closer to home. To little fanfare and no buildup, the GW Weed Emporium opened its doors on Simcoe Street between King and Dundas on April 1. And it was no joke - the store's display cabinets were filled with various strains of marijuana, as well as other products - such as chocolate, honey and soda - containing THC, the psychoactive component in cannabis, and other smoking paraphernalia. [continues 586 words]
A drug case that's been before the court for more than a year avoided a major delay when a judge ruled that lawyers representing two suspects would not have to withdraw. Judge Eric Peterson said Tuesday during a hearing in Lethbridge provincial court he could not find that a substantial conflict of interest exists, even though the two lawyers, Robin McIntyre and Andrea Urquhart, work for the same Calgary law firm. Peterson ruled on the matter after the federal Crown prosecutor applied to have the lawyers removed because of perceived conflict of interest. But Peterson said he was satisfied the public's confidence in the administration of justice would not be shaken, and the lawyers could continue to represent their clients, [names redacted]. [continues 181 words]
Are we hearing the first murmurs of a more calm and rational approach to minor drug offences? Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne, the Government's go-to man on drug regulation, is sidling cautiously towards some meaningful changes. His national drug policy, released last year, puts a new emphasis on treating drugs as a health issue. Among other things, the policy calls for a review of drug paraphernalia laws, as well as options for "minimising harm in relation to the offence and penalty regime for personal possession" of drugs. [continues 470 words]
March 31 marks a new day in Detroit for medical marijuana. It's the last day for Medical Marijuana Caregiver Centers to apply for a license to operate in the city. Before this, provisioning centers multiplied in a gray area of the law where they weren't exactly legal but were tolerated. That's an outgrowth of how Michigan's medical marijuana law played out when the courts ruled patients can have marijuana but didn't allow for venues to sell it. It's right in line with the weird machinations prohibitionists have always gone through to keep people away from the weed. [continues 1143 words]
