Ex-PM, 82, Says Politicians Musts Adjust To Changing Times HALIFAX - Jean Chretien says politicians have to adjust to changing times, as his own views on marijuana, capital punishment and other contentious issues evolved after he was first elected in the early 1960s. Whether it's pot smoking, abortion, gay marriage or the death penalty, the former prime minister says he's tried to reflect the spirit of the times - even if his changing politics put him in conflict with his conservative upbringing in a large, Roman Catholic family in rural Quebec. [continues 357 words]
Up in Smoke (Cheech and Chong, 1978) may have floated the hazy notion that smoking marijuana was harmless fun, but new research shows that a woman's chance for delivering a healthy baby is actually what goes up in smoke if she lets smoke into her brain and lungs while pregnant. Researchers from the University of Arizona looked at 24 studies of pregnancy and marijuana smoking: They discovered that pregnant women who smoke cannabis were more likely to be anemic and their babies more likely to end up in neonatal intensive care with low birth weight. [continues 148 words]
To Those Facing Sentencing for Marijuana Possession An Amherst defence lawyer is offering free legal representation to Cumberland County residents facing sentencing for possession of cannabis for personal use. Jim O'Neil said Thursday he is offering the service through the remainder of 2016 and only to people who have pleaded guilty and are in the sentencing phase. "In this country we have the ancient common-law tradition of amicus curiae. When a lawyer believes an injustice might occur in a court proceedings, the lawyer can appear as a friend of the court and provide representation, usually this is done without charge," said O'Neil. "The Canadian government has announced that simple possession of cannabis for personal use will be decriminalized in 2017. [continues 371 words]
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the latest budget brought huge debt, a two per cent increase in the HST and shutdowns of everything from seniors' dental programs to more than half the province's public libraries. In Prince Edward Island, the HST's up one per cent, while Nova Scotia has gone through public sector wages to eke out the barest slender slip of a balanced budget. New Brunswick? It also raised HST by two points to 15 per cent and is talking about public sector job cuts. [continues 472 words]
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the latest budget brought huge debt, a two per cent increase in the HST and shutdowns of everything from seniors' dental programs to more than half the province's public libraries. In Prince Edward Island, the HST's up one per cent, while Nova Scotia has gone through public sector wages to eke out the barest slender slip of a balanced budget. New Brunswick? It also raised HST by two points to 15 per cent and is talking about public sector job cuts. [continues 473 words]
The federal government is pushing ahead with plans to legalize marijuana and not before time. Health Minister Jane Philpott certainly didn't play down the controversial announcement. She chose a special session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York regarding drug use and drug-related crime. The timing was more than coincidental. Minister Philpott chose April 20 to reveal that Ottawa plans to introduce legislation legalizing marijuana in the spring of next year. Her address coincided with 4/ 20 - the annual day of celebration for cannabis culture lovers, the so- called National Weed Day. [continues 400 words]
Marijuana Party founder Dana Larsen, busted less than two weeks ago on a national pot-promoting tour, said he feels right at home in Halifax. "It's coming along really nicely here," he said in an interview before a speech at the High Life Social Club on Spring Garden Road. "It's getting some new dispensaries opening up. I suspect that the dispensary revolution will spread across the Maritimes." Halifax Regional Municipality has denied business licences to operators such as Tasty Budds Compassion Club. The operator has appealed the decision to the UARB and opened a second location. Farm Assist's operator has been charged with trafficking. [continues 227 words]
Families of Dead Provincial Inmates Grieve As Demands for Accountability Rebuffed SYDNEY, N. S. - Ernest LeBlanc sits by the wooden box that contains his son's cremated remains, clenching his hands as he describes his anger at the wall of silence that has greeted most of his questions about his son's death in a Cape Breton jail hours after being admitted. "I want to know how he died. I know he could have been saved. He didn't deserve to die like this," says the 64-year-old resident of Sydney Mines, N. S. [continues 852 words]
As illustrious a scientist as Arthur McDonald is expressing optimism about the current federal government's indication it will embrace the scientific community. That change in attitude by the Liberals as compared to the former government should come as a relief to Canadians in general, for a range of reasons. McDonald, originally from Sydney, was co-winner of the Nobel Prize in physics last fall for his discoveries regarding sub-atomic particles known as neutrinos. He congratulated the Justin Trudeau government for its intention to promote science and innovation, and to allow scientists to speak freely about their work - something the Harper government forbade. [continues 293 words]
As illustrious a scientist as Arthur McDonald is expressing optimism about the current federal government's indication it will embrace the scientific community. That change in attitude by the Liberals as compared to the former government should come as a relief to Canadians in general, for a range of reasons. McDonald, originally from Cape Breton, was co-winner of the Nobel Prize in physics for his discoveries regarding sub- atomic particles known as neutrinos. He congratulated the Justin Trudeau government for its intention to promote science and innovation, and to allow scientists to speak freely about their work - something the Harper government forbade. [continues 292 words]
As illustrious a scientist as Arthur McDonald is expressing optimism about the current federal government's indication it will embrace the scientific community. That change in attitude by the Liberals as compared to the former government should come as a relief to Canadians in general, for a range of reasons. McDonald, originally from Cape Breton, was co-winner of the Nobel Prize in physics for his discoveries regarding sub-atomic particles known as neutrinos. He congratulated the Justin Trudeau government for its intention to promote science and innovation, and to allow scientists to speak freely about their work - something the Harper government forbade. [continues 292 words]
Martin's Medical Services operating inaugural East Coast clinic in Middleton MIDDLETON - The Annapolis Valley's first professional dispenser of medicinal marijuana is open for business. Martin's Medical Services officially opened its first clinic on the East Coast on Main Street in Middleton last month and hopes to open 15 more clinics across the country this year, said David Gravelle. This clinic specializes in providing high-quality medicinal cannabis products to patients with a valid medical prescription, and carries nonprescription Chinese herbs, and other homeopathic remedies. [continues 412 words]
RCMP Seize Shipments of Shatter It's time for more chatter about shatter. "The RCMP in the Annapolis Valley has successfully interdicted two shipments of shatter in the last four months. This is a newer product in the Valley," said Cpl. Michael Hynes of Annapolis Valley Traffic Services. In August, Kings District RCMP members investigating a cell phone- related traffic violation in New Minas seized about 100 grams of shatter. As a result, a 21- year-old Bridgewater man was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking. [continues 201 words]
You don't have to be stoned to be confused by the status of Canada's marijuana laws. Users of medical marijuana must wonder if it's OK to pick up supplies at pot dispensaries across the country. In Nova Scotia, one operator proudly announced the opening of his Dartmouth dispensary last week. But at least two in-province pot retailers were raided by police last year. The law seems to suggest prescription holders should obtain the drug from licensed suppliers - which means by mail-order. [continues 325 words]
Dispensary serving up Tasty Buds in Cole Harbour At the municipality's newest medical marijuana dispensary, a mixture of Nova Scotia-themed and marijuana-themed art hangs on the walls, and the faint smell of fresh cannabis fills the air. Patients sit in a waiting room that looks a lot like the one at the dentist's office. When it's their turn, they go to the back of the dispensary, and pick from a selection of different strains of dried marijuana, hash, and edibles like marijuana-infused peanut butter cups and suckers. [continues 327 words]
At the municipality's newest medical marijuana dispensary, a mixture of Nova Scotia-themed and marijuana-themed art hangs on the walls, and the faint smell of fresh cannabis fills the air. Patients sit in a waiting room that looks a lot like the one at the dentist's office. When it's their turn, they go to the back of the dispensary, and pick from a selection of different strains of dried marijuana, hash, and edibles like marijuana-infused peanut butter cups and suckers. [continues 352 words]
A senior police officer in Halifax has been accused of stealing an illicit substance that was seized during an earlier drug investigation, according to the independent watchdog that oversees police in Nova Scotia. The Serious Incident Response Team confirmed Wednesday that 35-year-old Det.-Const. Laurence Gary Basso - a drug investigator with 11 years of experience on the regional force - has been charged with theft, breach of trust and obstruction of justice. The agency says the allegations involve a substance known as "cut," which went missing from an police exhibit locker some time between Jan. 1, 2015 and March 14, 2015. The substance is used in the illegal drug trade to dilute drugs to increase quantity and profitability. [continues 206 words]
Colorado Raking in Taxes From Legalized Weed A pall hangs over Denver, Colorado. Lawlessness stalks its streets, while stupefied potheads loll on every corner, stoned senseless on legal weed. Well, actually, no, it's not really like that at all. Really, it's just another day. Denver's like any other big American city: on the 16th Street Mall, there are vagrants on the corners, Broncos and Patriots fans spooling around while they wait for the start of the AFC final later in the day. Coffee shops are setting out chairs in the unseasonable warmth, and a robot street performer, painted entirely silver, is making plans with friends for after the game. [continues 509 words]
Inside Nova Scotia
