Third dispensary robbed in three months Tony Musfelt started shaking when he received a phone call from police last week, informing him that the medical marijuana dispensary he manages on Cook Street had been robbed. "It took me half an hour to calm down before I could even go in," said Musfelt. "My anxiety was through the roof." It was around 8:35 p.m. on Oct. 27 when police were called to the Ocean Grown Medical Dispensary in the 1700 block of Cook Street after two masked men brandishing firearms stormed the business. Nobody was injured, but the two employees working in the store were tied up by the thieves, who fled the scene once police arrived. [continues 540 words]
Start now: Legalization has broad support, and many issues need to be addressed In the wake of the Liberal tsunami, Premier Christy Clark sounded far from enthusiastic about prime minister-to-be Justin Trudeau's plan to legalize pot. "It's a federal issue and we will work with the government in whatever moves they make on this front," she said with nary a grin. "It's a criminal code provision, the criminal code is a federal responsibility, so if and when they make changes, we will work with them to make sure that changes can be effective in B.C." [continues 621 words]
North Okanagan parents are being armed with the facts so they can slay the myths as they talk to their kids about drugs. Dr. Marvin Krank will provide a public presentation Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Vernon Secondary School. "Talking To Your Kids About Drugs will outline some of the common yet inaccurate and risky misconceptions youth have about drugs and alcohol," said Krank, professor of psychology at UBC's Okanagan campus. His research focuses on the development of substance abuse in teens and young adults. Over the past 20 years he has studied the unrealistic thoughts and beliefs held by youth that lead to risky substance use and he will share that evidence at the presentation. [continues 284 words]
Almost 15 per cent of tobacco products used in B.C. are contraband, costing the provincial treasury an estimated $100 million a year in lost tax revenue. It's a glimpse of what awaits governments in a legalized-marijuana world. Legalized - or at least decriminalized - marijuana is inevitable. Its widespread use demands that governments regulate, tax and monitor the use of the drug, just as they do tobacco and alcohol. To do otherwise makes no sense. The war on marijuana is a failure. It comes with high costs and collateral damage, and has done nothing to curb the use. Yes, criminality and violence are associated with marijuana, but those aspects arise from the drug's illegality, not its effects on the human body. [continues 467 words]
Inside the Life of an Oil Patch Sniffer Dog When Commander shows up to a worksite in Northeast B.C., some line up to pet him. Others start scanning the job ads. Commander, a high-energy, two-year-old German Shepherd, enjoys treats, going for walks-and sniffing for drugs. He's one of a handful of detection dogs searching vehicles, worker camps and drilling sites in the B.C. oil patch. "He's focused, he isn't intimidated by lots of people and activity," said Mike Friesen, his handler. "I don't allow (people) to pet him while he's working. But when he's done and we're standing around chatting? Sure, they can pet him." [continues 1005 words]
Re: legalization of recreational marijuana. I have heard this too many times: if people are going to smoke it we may as well legalize it. Well, people are going to use hard drugs, continue to enslave young children into drug use and prostitution and continue stealing to support their habits. Do we legalize it all now? These problems are going to get worse once it is legalized because we will lose control under this Liberal-minded thinking. We have not kept drinking or smoking problems from our children by legalizing it for adults. [continues 229 words]
To the editor: As a local organizer for Sensible BC and constituent of West Kelowna, I recently contacted the office of my MLA - Premier Christy Clark-regarding the election of the federal Liberals and the anticipated change to Canada's marijuana laws. As in my past correspondence with her office, I offered her the opportunity to discuss the issue with some of our own experts in the field. These include Ph.D. researchers, medical personnel, growers, patients and medical dispensary representatives. [continues 157 words]
Start Now: Legalization Has Broad Support, and Many Issues Need to Be Addressed In the wake of the Liberal tsunami, Premier Christy Clark sounded far from enthusiastic about prime minister-to-be Justin Trudeau's plan to legalize pot. "It's a federal issue and we will work with the government in whatever moves they make on this front," she said with nary a grin. "It's a criminal code provision, the criminal code is a federal responsibility, so if and when they make changes, we will work with them to make sure that changes can be effective in B.C." [continues 619 words]
A controversial new medical marijuana dispensary has opened its doors in Port Alberni's uptown. Whether it will stay there remains to be seen. WeeMedical opened its doors on Monday morning after hiring staff via social media last week. Operated by Justin Liu, WeeMedical will dispense marijuana face to face to those who have a prescription from a doctor; either the one they have on staff or an independent one. It's a model he uses at a similar dispensary in Nanaimo, where they are still operational and Liu said they have never had a police complaint. [continues 421 words]
Almost 15 per cent of tobacco products used in B.C. are contraband, costing the provincial treasury an estimated $100 million a year in lost tax revenue. It's a glimpse of what awaits governments in a legalized-marijuana world. Legalized - or at least decriminalized - marijuana is inevitable. Its widespread use demands that governments regulate, tax and monitor the use of the drug, just as they do tobacco and alcohol. To do otherwise makes no sense. The war on marijuana is a failure. It comes with high costs and collateral damage, and has done nothing to curb the use. Yes, criminality and violence are associated with marijuana, but those aspects arise from the drug's illegality, not its effects on the human body. You do not have to endorse the use of marijuana - and we do not - - to see sound reasons for changing the law. [continues 444 words]
Re: "Tobacco firms ordered to set aside $1B," Oct. 28. You report the Quebec Court of Appeal has ordered tobacco companies to set aside $1 billion as compensation for smokers. I suggest the marijuana industry also be ordered to set aside $1 billion to compensate the young adults and children in the future who will be mentally challenged from smoking marijuana. Robert Archibald Nanaimo [end]
A local advocate for reforming cannabis laws was happy with the federal election outcome. Tamara Cartwright-Poulits, the regional coordinator for NORML Women's Alliance of Canada, said she was elated by the election results and Trudeau getting elected. She said it is now a waiting game, though some want the changes to cannabis laws to happen immediately. "We know it isn't going to happen that fast," Cartwright-Poulits said. "Until the fourth of November, when cabinet is actually set up and we know who the justice minister is and who the health minister is and who is going to handle the portfolio." [continues 516 words]
A local advocate for reforming cannabis laws was happy with the federal election outcome. Tamara Cartwright-Poulits, the regional coordinator for NORML Women's Alliance of Canada, said she was elated by the election results and Trudeau getting elected. She said it is now a waiting game, though some want the changes to cannabis laws to happen immediately. "We know it isn't going to happen that fast," Cartwright-Poulits said. "Until the fourth of November, when cabinet is actually set up and we know who the justice minister is and who the health minister is and who is going to handle the portfolio." [continues 517 words]
VSB disputes notion that many Vancouver students attended marijuana protests on April 20 About 11% of high school students in Vancouver reported absences on April 20 - known as 420 and dedicated to marijuana protests - prompting a group to call on school districts to do more to protect youth from pot use. The attendance figures, obtained through the freedom of information process, showed 2,681 students were absent from secondary schools in Vancouver for at least one period that day - out of a total of 23,614 secondary students in the district. Recent grad Connor Fesenmaier, an 18-year-old former Surrey School District student, said he attended 420 during school hours this year in an attempt to discourage pot use. [continues 448 words]
Washington state police are dealing with more drivers impaired by marijuana since its recreational use was legalized last year, and B.C. is preparing for similar problems as a new federal government prepares to follow suit. Chief John Batiste of the Washington State Patrol visited Victoria this week to take part in an annual cross-border crime forum. He acknowledged that it's a problem since the state legalized marijuana sales to adults in 2014. "We are seeing an uptick in incidents on our roadways related to folks driving under the influence of marijuana and drugs in general," Batiste told reporters after a meeting with B.C. Justice Minister Suzanne Anton. [continues 142 words]
Section 12 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states: "Everyone has the right not to be subjected to any cruel and unusual treatment or punishment." It's hard to argue against this principle. Nobody should be subjected to cruel and unusual treatment or punishment. Capital punishment, torture and floggings obviously fall under the category of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment. Any grossly disproportionate or outrageous sentence, or any sentence that would shock the conscious of the community, should also be considered cruel and unusual. [continues 595 words]
The election of Justin Trudeau's Liberals was cause for jubilation at Eden Medicinal Society's five marijuana dispensaries across Vancouver. "We went into the election hoping that people would be able to see through the anti-pot ideology, see the evidence that has mounted, and it appears that they did," Eden spokesman Danny Kresnyak said. "Our reaction is obviously very positive." He hopes Trudeau will move quickly on his promise to legalize recreational pot, and that at least some of the approximately 120 illegal dispensaries now operating in Vancouver will be a part of that. [continues 502 words]
Federal Promises Seen As Positive, but Future of Dispensaries Uncertain VANCOUVER - The election of Justin Trudeau's Liberals was a cause for jubilation at Eden Medicinal Society's five marijuana dispensaries across Vancouver. "We went into the election hoping that people would be able to see through the anti-pot ideology, see the evidence that has mounted, and it appears that they did," said Eden spokesman Danny Kresnyak. "Our reaction is obviously very positive." He hopes Trudeau will move quickly on his promise to legalize recreational pot, and that at least some of the approximately 120 illegal dispensaries now operating in Vancouver will be a part of that. [continues 528 words]
Eight people from Lillooet and one person from Lytton were arrested at a remote marijuana grow-op, Photo by RCMP File photo Eight people from the Lillooet area and one person from Lytton were among the 14 people arrested by Merritt RCMP after police discovered $11 million worth of marijuana growing in a forested area about 60 kilometres west of the Nicola Valley community. On Oct. 9, Merritt RCMP found, seized and began to destroy approximately 14,000 ready to harvest plants located in several plots approximately 60 kilometres west of Merritt near the Skuhun Creek Forest Service Road. [continues 349 words]
Change of Government Brings Issue Back to the Forefront Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper sparked considerable debate following an election campaign stop in Montreal where he described cannabis as "infinitely worse" than tobacco. Many media organizations were quick to find experts willing to discredit the claim. Critics said it was out of step in a climate where a growing number of U.S. states are now legalizing the drug, while cashing in on the resulting tax windfall, and slashing police and prison costs. Some countries in Latin America are going the same way. And the new Liberal government successfully campaigned on a promise to legalize marijuana. [continues 1036 words]
Inside British Columbia
