Legalization of marijuana was a long time coming, but Carl Morgan believes the future is bright for selling the product in Nova Scotia. Morgan is currently the owner of two medical marijuana dispensaries - Scotia Green Inc. on East River Road in New Glasgow and one on Spring Garden Road in Halifax. While they've had some uphill battles, he believes the business will continue to grow into the New Year despite the fact that the province has made the decision that recreational marijuana will be sold at Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation outlets. [continues 271 words]
Weed, both smoked and unsmoked, is more pungent than it once was There's a dirty little secret about legalized marijuana, one that could become an issue in neighbourhoods across the country. Well, maybe it would be better to describe it as a stinky little secret, but one that's likely to become very familiar - and maybe too familiar. Weed, both smoked and unsmoked, is more pungent than it once was. It's gone through decades of horticultural experimentation to strengthen its kick. And there's likely to be a lot more of that pungent to go around once smoking a joint isn't a criminal offence anymore. [continues 553 words]
There's a dirty little secret about legalized marijuana, one that could become an issue in neighbourhoods across the country. Well, maybe it would be better to describe it as a stinky little secret, but one that's likely to become very familiar - and maybe too familiar. Weed, both smoked and unsmoked, is more pungent than it once was. It's gone through decades of horticultural experimentation to strengthen its kick. And there's likely to be a lot more of that pungent to go around once smoking a joint isn't a criminal offence anymore. [continues 556 words]
Six people charged following police raids on marijuana dispensaries in Bible Hill in September are to appear in provincial court in January to enter pleas. The six individuals were charged after RCMP officers made simultaneous busts at three medical marijuana dispensaries on Sept. 1. Each person is charged with trafficking in marijuana and cannabis resin as well as with possessing marijuana and cannabis resin for the purpose of trafficking. [Name redacted], 43, and [Name redacted], 30, of Lyman Street and [Name redacted], 32, of Shore Road, Clifton, are to return to court Jan. 17. [continues 69 words]
They're great for entertainment purposes, but then again, so are fortune-tellers and horoscopes. If you're looking at public opinion polls to predict things, well, there are wins and there are losses. And lately, more losses. We've got to start looking at polling differently - because though some of the tools get better all the time, the results are not the gospel we pretend they are. Two polls in the past week or so highlights that for me: a Toronto poll suggesting Doug Ford could be competitive in a race against Toronto Mayor John Tory, and a Corporate Research Associates poll about marijuana use in the Atlantic provinces. [continues 533 words]
He may not be able to change it but that doesn't mean he has to like the new law allowing people to grow their own pot plants. "Personal cultivation is something I personally really struggle with as a citizen, a parent and a police chief," Cape Breton Regional Police Chief Peter McIsaac said during the recent Police Commissioners meeting. "It's a view shared pretty consistently in the policing community across the country." When the Cannabis Act comes into effect in July 2018, Canadian adults will be allowed to grow four plants at home, up to a height of 100 cm. This is about waist high on an average adult. [continues 55 words]
It's enough to make you want to roll a big, fat one. The province is attempting to have a regulatory framework in place prior to the legalization of marijuana on July 1. Weekly, maybe daily, the confusion grows over what the brave new world of legalized weed will look like. That, in my view, is perfectly understandable as the clock loudly ticks toward Ottawa's July 1, 2018, deadline for legalization of wacky tabacky. The feds have said that the date is hard and fast. Our government is taking them on their word. [continues 639 words]
To the editor, Re: "Youth psychiatrist disappointed in Nova Scotia's marijuana age decision," Dec. 9. Do "health officials" and "provincial and national health organizations" ever think about the social consequences and harms of cannabis prohibition? They are so narrow-minded and seem to only think about the safety of a product. If it isn't 100 per cent safe in their minds, they think it should be illegal. If they had a chance, they would probably make everything illegal that humans do, except for using pharmaceutical drugs, of course. Do they not understand that criminal records and jail sentences for young-adult cannabis users and growers are unhealthy? Herb Couch Nelson, B.C. [end]
To the editor: Re: "Youth psychiatrist disappointed in Nova Scotia's marijuana age decision" (Dec. 9/17.) Do "health officials" and "provincial and national health organizations" ever think about the social consequences and harms of cannabis prohibition? They are so narrow-minded and seem to only think about the safety of a product. If it isn't 100 per cent safe in their minds, they think it should be illegal? If they had a chance, they would probably make everything illegal that humans do, except for using pharmaceutical drugs, of course. Do they not understand that criminal records and jail sentences for young-adult cannabis users and growers are unhealthy? Herb Couch, Nelson, B.C. [end]
It's funny how quickly a criminal enterprise can turn into a legitimate business opportunity. As a federal Conservative politician, even as late as 2015, Julian Fantino was opposed to the legalization of marijuana. In 2004, he even compared weed to murder in an interview with the Toronto Sun, saying, "I guess we can legalize murder too and then we won't have a murder case. We can't go that way." Now, he's partnered with former RCMP deputy commissioner Raf Souccar to open a medical marijuana business, Aleafia Total Health Network. [continues 407 words]
The latest Corporate Research Associates (CRA) survey this week probably sent chills down the spines of finance ministers and premiers across Atlantic Canada. After returning home from Ottawa earlier in the week with a lucrative tax-sharing deal on the sale of legalized marijuana, visions of windfall revenues were quickly brought back to reality. The CRA survey suggests that approximately 20 per cent of Atlantic Canadians plan to purchase pot once marijuana becomes legal July 1. That is about the same percentage that uses pot today - illegally. [continues 415 words]
Health officials are disappointed that the province has set the legal age for marijuana consumption at 19 years. The consensus among provincial and national health organizations is that the minimum age should be 21, and some believe it should be even older, said Dr. Phil Tibbo, director of the Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program and a psychiatry professor at Dalhousie University. "Regular cannabis use can actually have a significant impact on brain development up until about your mid-20s," he said in an interview Thursday. [continues 265 words]
Unprecedented support shown for drug accused In an unprecedented show of support for an accused, some 80 people crowded into two Sydney courtrooms Friday to attend a bail hearing for a man charged with drug trafficking. The crowd left the Sydney Justice Centre cheering and clapping and drove away beeping their horns in showing their extreme pleasure with the decision to grant bail. Provincial court Judge Peter Ross allowed the release of Donald James Campbell, 38, who is charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, involving marijuana and hashish. He faces an additional drug charge of growing marijuana. [continues 528 words]
Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island both set legal age for marijuana use at 19 Nova Scotia and P.E.I. both set their legal age for marijuana at 19 on Thursday, but the two East Coast provinces are taking different paths on how weed will be sold. P.E.I. said it will sell marijuana at standalone outlets run separately by its liquor commission, while Nova Scotia said pot will be sold alongside alcohol in its provincial liquor stores. Justice Minister Mark Furey said Thursday Nova Scotia believes selling marijuana through existing liquor stores will provide the necessary control to ensure public safety. [continues 682 words]
The owner of a Halifax marijuana dispensary says the province's recreational pot policy announced Thursday will drive more people to the black market. But Chris Enns said he doesn't fear that widespread access to pot next July will threaten his business. "I've had no less than half a dozen individuals call me this morning literally in tears, worried I was going to shut down or be shut down by these new regulations and that they wouldn't have a source for their medicine anymore," said Enns, owner of Farm Assists Medical Cannabis Resource Centre, in an interview Thursday. [continues 338 words]
Medical marijuana dispensary raid angers clients Cries of anger, disappointment and disgust rang throughout a Sydney courtroom on Monday when a judge ruled Donald James Campbell was to stay in jail until a bail hearing on Friday. Campbell's supporters packed the courtroom on Monday. His mother, overcome with emotion, had to be taken out by wheelchair after the verdict. Campbell is one of three people charged after Cape Breton Regional Police Service raided two commercial properties and two residential properties on Friday. During the raid, an estimated $200,000 worth of drugs was found plus $20,000 cash. [continues 712 words]
Allowing private sector to take point on distribution a sensible policy Newfoundland and Labrador made a common-sense decision last week on the distribution of cannabis in that province. They've opted for a private-sector distribution model, breaking away from the ill-considered public-sector monopolies being set up in Ontario and New Brunswick. As part of the Newfoundland and Labrador plan, the government says it will allow the sale of cannabis by private retailers, while the regulation, distribution and online sales will initially be carried out by the Newfoundland Liquor Corporation. On this issue, the government listened to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. [continues 371 words]
Most pharmacies won't ask what needles are used for Used needles or other sharps never have to be discarded in bottles, garbage or public spaces because of the Safe Sharps Bring-Back Program. The Pharmacy Association of Nova Scotia (PANS) administers the program for residential sharps users. Although it is not intended for people who use intravenous drugs, most pharmacies won't ask what the needles are being used for. "The whole idea is about harm reduction," said Hugh Toner, pharmacist owner of both Medicine Shoppe stores in Sydney. [continues 573 words]
To say that Canada is in the midst of opioid crisis is, tragically, a gross understatement. This is an emergency. Some 3,000 people, or about eight a day, are expected to die of opioid overdoses this year in Canada. Another 16 others are hospitalized each day. To put that in perspective, 44 people died in the SARS epidemic of 2003. So Health Minister Ginette Petitpas Taylor's announcement last week listing new measures to fight the opioid crisis could not have come soon enough. But, distressingly, as bold as the new measures are, they don't go far enough to ward off the epidemic of deaths caused by these highly addictive drugs. [continues 587 words]
Police chief warns CBRM to plan ahead for marijuana legislation Once the federal government legalizes cannabis, it may or may not be OK to smoke marijuana while walking down the street. According to Cape Breton Regional Police Chief Peter McIsaac, it is far too soon to predict exactly how the new regulations will affect the consumption, availability, distribution and enforcement of cannabis products and their use here in Cape Breton. "There are still so many unanswered questions, but like it or not, agree with it or not, cannabis is coming and we need to prepare for it as a municipality," McIsaac said during a recent address to Cape Breton Regional Municipality councillors at city hall. [continues 753 words]