OTTAWA - The federal government has tailored its highly anticipated marijuana legislation to ensure younger teens don't wind up with criminal records for pot possession. Currently, people between 12 and 17 can be charged for having any amount of marijuana, but the newly tabled legislation proposes that people under age 18 would not face criminal prosecution for possessing or sharing up to five grams. Bill Blair, a Liberal MP working with federal ministers on the legislation, said Monday the ultimate goal is to give provinces and territories flexibility to prohibit young people from possessing any amount of cannabis, with the option to introduce non-criminal sanctions for having a small amount. [continues 216 words]
Currently, kids between 12 and 17 can be charged for having any amount of marijuana OTTAWA - The federal government has tailored its highly anticipated marijuana legislation to ensure younger teens don't wind up with criminal records for pot possession. Currently, people between the ages of 12 and 17 can be charged for having any amount of marijuana, but the newly tabled legislation proposes that people under age 18 would not face criminal prosecution for possessing or sharing up to five grams. [continues 494 words]
So the new liberal marijuana laws legalizing the drug will protect our "youth," Liberal cabinet ministers say, noting their proposed increased penalties for providing pot to minors. Could they not have just increased and enforced these laws, anyway? Also, now that we will be able to have three plants in the homes, the kids will be able to pick off a leaf or two instead of finding it outside. How convenient! Bill Davis, New Westminster [end]
Re: Fat chance pot bill will do any good, DiManno, April 13 Thank you, Rosie DiManno. You raise a serious concern about the impact the legalization of marijuana will have on our youth. It is basically legitimizing a drug that is harmful for adolescents at the same time as telling them that their parents can grow four plants in your home, can smoke up, etc. But you can't have any, unless you find another source. Today's youth have been finding another source for many years and, considering that our youth are among the highest users in the world, they have been very successful at it. [continues 82 words]
Some teens say their likelihood of using weed hasn't changed since the Liberal government announced details of its legalization plan - though they say it's made them more aware of information on both sides of the debate. Government officials announced Thursday that cannabis would be made legal for recreational use by July 2018, and those aged 18 and over will be able to buy and grow a small amount of the drug for themselves. But even as marijuana becomes more mainstream, several teens said their opinions about the drug have remained the same. [continues 511 words]
Teen marijuana smoker declares, in Sarnia court, it's legal A 17-year-old teen who said he's been a long-time user of marijuana announced Thursday in Sarnia court that the narcotic was legal, on the same day federal legislation was introduced. The youth pleaded guilty to a probation violation and to possession of under 30 grams of marijuana. "It's legal now," the youth said. Justice Mark Hornblower said while changes in legislation may be made by the federal government, marijuana use will remain illegal for those who are the teen's age. [continues 364 words]
The Liberals owe young Canadians their majority government. They have an obligation to address the issues youth are facing right now. Get the brownie batter mixing, folks. We've got a landing date for marijuana legalization. July 2018. Yes, 2018. Okay, maybe put the batter in the freezer for the time being. Finally, Trudeau government officials have confirmed that this month they will announce legislation to legalize the recreational use of weed by July 1, 2018. Obviously, this is a cause that many young Canadians from coast to have been fighting for and whining about for years, if not decades. So much so that giving Canadians the right to light up a bowl or roll a joint was a central promise during Justin Trudeau's election campaign, designed to lure young Canadian voters and portray the Liberals as Canada's youthful party. [continues 982 words]
Re Parents dreading legal weed should chill out, Teitel, April 4 I'd like to thank Emma Teitel for her unsolicited and largely unproven parenting advice regarding pot use. We practiced democratic parenting when our children were younger in the 1990s and tried very hard to parent by example. While there was some booze in the house, it was always used in moderation and the children were allowed to partake under controlled circumstances. There was never any drug use. We had open discussions about drugs, sex and booze. In fact, we were open about just about everything with our children when age appropriate. [continues 136 words]
Re Parents dreading legal weed should chill out, Teitel, April 4 I am glad to read that there has been no major influx of teenage cannabis use in Colorado after its legalization. Perhaps it is due in part, to the legal age of cannabis use in Colorado being 21 years. Perhaps the teenagers in Colorado should celebrate 4/20 up here, as our federal government wants the legal age of cannabis use to be 18. James G. Wigmore, forensic toxicologist, Toronto [end]
To the editor: Whether it be teen and pre-teen angst, home life trauma or latent mental illness, something is causing the pain that has our children turning to the medicine cabinet for relief. Once they do, they may trigger a mental illness, an inherited addiction, or a need for a bigger thrill (party on!). Our children have to be approached early on in order to head off the need for drugs to alleviate emotional pain. Strong and sympathetic parents, or teachers/counsellors, are needed to help us understand and appreciate their pain or the pain their peers are experiencing. Group discussion may also greatly benefit our children. Drugs are not the answer; sympathy, compassion and early intervention are. And legalized marijuana will only exacerbate the opioid crisis. Michael Nihme [end]
Marijuana will soon be legal in Canada. But what does that mean for the safety of our teenagers? The simple election promise made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, one which he shows every sign of keeping, turns out not to be simple at all. What kind of restrictions should there be around selling weed? Will it be tested so that we can be sure it's safe? What should be the minimum age to buy it? Who's going to sell it? If the government taxes it, what should happen to the money? And what about impaired driving? [continues 317 words]
ESQUIMALT - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says regulating the sale of marijuana will protect young people and take money away from criminal gangs, but the government is drawing the line at pot when it comes to legalizing illicit drugs. The federal government's approach on marijuana has two goals, Trudeau said Thursday during a visit to Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in the Victoria area. "The first is to protect our kids. Right now we know that young people have easier access to marijuana than just about any other illicit substance. It's easier to buy a joint for a teenager than it is to buy a bottle of beer. That's not right," he said. [continues 360 words]
Federal government has no plans to include other illicit drugs in legislation Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says regulating the sale of marijuana will protect young people and take money away from criminal gangs, but the government is drawing the line at pot when it comes to legalizing illicit drugs. The federal government's approach on marijuana has two goals, Trudeau said Tuesday during a visit to Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt. "The first is to protect our kids. Right now we know that young people have easier access to marijuana than just about any other illicit substance. [continues 318 words]
Trudeau looks to take money away from criminals and put it toward those 'facing challenges' ESQUIMALT - Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says regulating the sale of marijuana will protect young people and take money away from criminal gangs, but the government is drawing the line at pot when it comes to legalizing illicit drugs. The federal government's approach on marijuana has two goals, Trudeau said Tuesday during a visit to Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in the Victoria area. "The first is to protect our kids. Right now we know that young people have easier access to marijuana than just about any other illicit substance. It's easier to buy a joint for a teenager than it is to buy a bottle of beer. That's not right," he said. [continues 294 words]
Like parents across the city, I was shaken by the photograph of Chloe Kotval, her long straight hair and big, hopeful eyes so like those of my own daughter, attached to a story about death. Gone at 14,apparently of a drug overdose. That evening I sat down with my 12-year-old. "A very sad thing has happened to a teenager in Kanata," I began. "Oh, you mean Chloe?" she said. "I know all about it. It's all over Instagram." [continues 425 words]
Kotvals want action on counterfeit drugs; Kanata man details daughter's struggles The family of Chloe Kotval called on police and public officials on Sunday to immediately address the availability of "high-grade counterfeit pharmaceuticals" in the community. Releasing a statement hours before her funeral, the grieving family remembered Kotval as a "well-loved" and "warm" person who was cherished by her friends before losing her life far too soon. "Our beloved daughter, Chloe, was a sweet girl adored by family and friends for her warmth, good nature and energy. This week, we have become even more aware of how well-loved she was through the outpouring of support by the community, the schools and services," Kotval's family said in a statement released to the Citizen. [continues 872 words]
In light of the recent death of popular Kanata teenager Chloe Kotval from an apparent drug overdose, and warnings from Ottawa police and Ottawa Public Health about counterfeit prescription drugs they suspect have been the cause of "recent life-threatening overdoses" in the city, on Saturday, concerned father Sean O'Leary posted an emotional Facebook message about teen drug overdoses in Kanata. Below is the text of his message: To all whom are concerned, As many if not all of you are aware from news reports a beautiful 14-year-old Kanata girl passed away this week as a result of a drug overdose. [continues 830 words]
Re: No easy answer to addiction, letters, Feb. 4; and Get addicts off drugs, editorial, Jan. 28. So B.C. Health Minister Terry Lake takes "great exception" to The Sun's editorial assertion that harm reduction policies "send the message that it's OK to be a drug addict." Unfortunately, his subsequent discussion is a reiteration of the rationale for harm reduction, not a refutation of The Sun's assertion. Any state action that makes it easier to belong to the drug culture cannot but send a message that is at odds with the deadly danger there. Many claim irrefutable evidence of a net benefit in harm-reduction initiatives, but none of their studies have considered the softening of public attitude pointed out by The Sun. [continues 88 words]
Carleton students shared their opinions on upcoming pot regulations, Sarah Macfarlane wrote. The federal government is on track to legalize marijuana later this year, which has some people debating the minimum age one should be able to use and possess the drug legally. A task force appointed by the government to investigate cannabis legalization released a list of recommendations from its final report in December, suggesting that cannabis should only be sold to people who are 18 or older. While some believe the drug is comparable to alcohol and should be given similar rules, others are concerned about the effects of marijuana on the brains of users under the age of 25. [continues 659 words]
As the province's opioid crisis continues, family, friends or foster care can step in for missing parents When Mary Purdy died of a suspected fentanyl overdose on January 17, she became another victim of an opioid crisis that killed more than 900 people in British Columbia last year and has made fentanyl a household word. She also left behind two young children, underscoring the multi-generational impact of the overdose epidemic and raising questions about what more could be done to prevent people from turning to illicit drugs and to help them if they get hooked. [continues 1351 words]
