Considering Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mandated Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, to begin the process of legalizing and regulating cannabis (marijuana) in Canada, isn't Michael Den Tandt mistaken (Legalizing Pot Not High on List for Our New PM, Dec. 16, 2015) to discount the importance of ending cannabis prohibition? It may not be the top priority but it is one of the most important and current issues in North America. Further, attempting to discount Colorado's example of RE-legalizing cannabis is fraught with misanalysing information. In fact, the law is working as planned and every subsequent poll indicates Colorado citizens and voters continue to support ending cannabis in the state. Stan White Colorado [end]
And so we have it. After 10 years under the leadership of Stephan Harper and the Conservative government. Canadians have officially elected in a change with Justin Trudeau of the Liberal Party now taking position as Canada's new leader. I'm sure there are many changes on the horizon under this new leadership, and one of the most controversial has been the Liberal party position on the legalization of Marijuana. At a campaign stop in Surrey, British Columbia, Justin Trudeau was asked about his plans for the legalization of Marijuana. Justin replied with conviction that if he were elected into office he would "get working on it right away." [continues 1097 words]
Re: "3 potential drug deaths in 2 days hit Victoria area," Dec. 23. The recent rise in overdose deaths in Victoria highlights once again the urgent need for a safe, supervised consumption site within the city. Staff in downtown fast-food outlets and security positions should receive training in overdose-response protocols, as well as recognizing the signs and symptoms of a potential overdose. These deaths are preventable. Nobody should have to die in the stairwell of a parking garage, or alone in their homes when it is within our reach to support a harm-reduction response to drug use and thus prevent unnecessary drug-related deaths. The time is now to act, and without needless delays. P.A. Wilkin Harm-reduction worker Victoria [end]
Misconception: Evidence-Based Science Shows Folly of Substance Abuse 'Truths' I've had the good fortune to be part of a film this year, made by my partner Maureen Palmer, which will air on CBC's The Nature of Things on Jan. 21. In the film, called Wasted, leading addiction researchers reveal tantalizing clues to what causes addiction and make the case for new, compassionate evidence-based treatment. Their work challenges deeply held, but erroneous beliefs about those who can't quit drinking. Perhaps you'll think differently as you watch a loved one struggle with a substance use disorder this holiday season. [continues 596 words]
Once more, I am confronted by the argumentable claim that there is "a paucity of scientific evidence" to support the medical use of marijuana ( Evidence, Please - editorial, Dec. 23). This mantra is being repeated constantly by opponents to its clinical use who are not challenged to explain what they mean by a "lack of evidence." While I would agree you can never have enough scientific evidence to support the safety and efficacy of any medical treatment, it is disingenuous to hide one's opposition to the medical use of marijuana behind claims that it hasn't undergone the same testing and approval process as the pharmaceutical industry's new products, something which is never likely to happen because the source material isn't patentable and thus there is little motivation for industry to incur the expense. [continues 70 words]
Told by Air Canada He Couldn't Get on Flight With Prescription Pot Michael Korchak was admittedly a little nervous flying home to Toronto from Halifax for the holidays last week. This was the first time the Burlington resident was travelling with his medicine on him: a small bottle of medical marijuana. He knew from some research that possession of the drug could lead to questioning and delays at the airport. But he thought he was prepared. He arrived three hours early for the domestic flight, so his papers could be checked. And he said he told Air Canada employees right away that he was carrying the medicine, and showed them all the accompanying documentation. [continues 401 words]
Parents Take Unconventional Approach to Treat Children With Epilepsy Mention Taylor Swift and five-year-old Ella's eyes light up like the Christmas tree in the corner of her Surrey, B.C., living room. The tree scrapes the ceiling and Ella is eager to play with the decorations, but her parents have set up a barricade so she can't reach the branches. That's because the girl has severe epilepsy and autism and, though she is nearly six, the cognitive ability of a toddler. She doesn't seem to mind, as her attention is soon diverted by a suggestion she sing a song by Swift, her favourite recording artist. [continues 1552 words]
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne is the latest leader to advocate distributing marijuana through provincial liquor control boards, should Ottawa legalize the drug. It is not an entirely stupid idea. Yet it will encounter three intractable problems. First, there is a fundamental conflict between harm prevention and revenue maximization. The LCBO may talk about the millions of times each year underage would-be drinkers, or the obviously inebriated, are denied service. Yet the ugly truth is that the alcoholic who stops by his local Liquor Control Board of Ontario to buy a bottle of whisky every day or two is more likely to be greeted with a friendly "Good day, sir" than a health warning. [continues 835 words]
I don't think that should stay as a criminal record, given that we now are approaching an era in which it is going to be seen as analogous to alcohol or tobacco. Marcus Richardson is, in the eyes of the law, a criminal. Never mind that a judge ruled the six kilograms of cannabis police found in his car was for severely ill patients at a medical marijuana dispensary. Or that the same judge imposed only a minimum sentence because anything more would fail to maintain "a just, peaceful and safe society." [continues 752 words]
When someone is charged with a crime, the laws in place at the time of the offence dictate how that individual will be punished if convicted. The exception is outlined in Section 11(i) of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which states: "Any person charged with an offence has the right ... if found guilty of the offence and if the punishment for the offence has been varied between the time of commission and the time of sentencing to the benefit of the lesser punishment." [continues 353 words]
As Liberals Prepare to Legalize Marijuana, Canadians Facing Pot Charges Left in Limbo While Rose Miranda waits for her April court date to face potential charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking, the 65-year-old retired education assistant can't take cannabis for her arthritis. Mounties have also banned her from visiting or contacting anyone at Phoenix Pain Management Society, the medical marijuana dispensary where she was volunteering when she was arrested in Nanaimo, B.C. "I love Baby Trudeau, but he says, 'We're going to fix this.' When? Meanwhile, I have clients who don't have their medication," Miranda said. [continues 465 words]
Andre Picard writes that, while not benign, marijuana is less harmful than both tobacco and alcohol (If Pot Is Medicine, Treat It That Way - - Dec. 22). Thus, there seems to be little reason that pot should not be sold for recreation, just as cigarettes are, in corner stores, with an enforced age limit and restrictions on advertising. As medicine, pot should be compared to non-prescription drugs such as aspirin, which while it is potentially harmful if taken in overdose, is safe enough to be sold on supermarket shelves. Dispensaries serve a valuable purpose for those seeking medicinal rather than recreational use, in allowing advice to be dispensed along with the product. Heavy-handed overregulation is neither necessary nor wise. Jonathan Colvin, Richmond, B.C. [end]
Re: "LCBO sales of pot would make sense: Wynne," Dec. 15 Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne should be seeking advice only from provincial voters about marijuana regulation and taxation, as property and civil rights are provincial jurisdiction and legal marijuana is property. As for the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union's recent comments about wanting in on marijuana sales, it amazes me how yesterday's persecutors and prosecutors want a piece of the action today. Several provincial elections ago, while I was running as a candidate for the B.C. Marijuana Party, the BCGEU store clerks had me arrested for campaigning in front of the Hillside liquor store and handing out flyers. What hypocrisy. Chuck Beyer Port Alberni [end]
TORONTO - Historians see parallels between repealing the prohibition on alcohol in the 1920s and the forthcoming end of illicit pot. Though Ontario lifted the ban on alcohol sales in 1927, the province tightly regulated its availability through a monopolized liquor control board that for more than four decades kept track of customer history and personal information through permit books and purchase forms. "In Ontario and most other provinces, they followed this pattern of strong government regulation. It legitimized the reintroduction of alcohol and allowed it to go forward," said Mark Sholdice, a doctoral candidate in Canadian history at the University of Guelph. [continues 317 words]
Re Ban public vaping, Editorial Dec. 19 I agree with the Star's editorial that Ontario should stick with its original plan, effective Jan. 1, 2016, to ban the use of e-cigarettes wherever tobacco smoking isn't allowed. Associate Health Minister Dipika Damerla's decision to postpone this ban is the second time in recent months she has shown she is incapable of protecting the health of Ontarians. The first was when she announced that medical marijuana users would be allowed to smoke wherever they wanted. Minister Damerla is incompetent and should be reassigned to another department where she won't be able to do so much damage. She would be much more suited to working for Rothmans or Imperial Tobacco than Ontario's health ministry. Diana Hooper, Willowdale [end]
As 2015 draws to a close, the Saskatoon StarPhoenix sat down with police Chief Clive Weighill to talk about everything from the controversies around carding to the possibility of legalized marijuana. Q What was the overall crime picture like in Saskatoon in 2015? A We had a very tough time in March and April. We had about 16 or 17 shootings and a few homicides. The city was really heating up, but things seem to have calmed down and plateaued now. Our guns and gangs unit really made a big difference, I think, doing a lot interventions with the gangs and stopping a lot of the violence as a result. [continues 796 words]
Air Canada Grounds Medicinal Marijuana User Michael Korchak says he could see the stares and hear the whispers. He'd hit a snag on his trip home to Burlington last Thursday for Christmas and a group of Air Canada employees was gathering around him at its busy departure gate at the Halifax airport. The 25-year-old Canadian Armed Forces member, who's in the process of receiving a medical discharge because of a traumatic injury suffered on duty, has a prescription for medicinal marijuana to help with chronic pain. [continues 242 words]
While Rose Miranda waits for her April court date to face potential charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking, the 65-year-old retired education assistant can't take cannabis for her arthritis. The RCMP have also banned her from visiting or contacting anyone at Phoenix Pain Management Society, the medical marijuana dispensary where she was volunteering when she was arrested in Nanaimo, B.C. "I love Baby Trudeau, but he says, 'We're going to fix this.' When? Meanwhile, I have clients who don't have their medication," Ms. Miranda said. [continues 331 words]
COURTS: Although the prime minister has vowed to legalize and regulate marijuana, the RCMP is still mandated to enforce current laws VANCOUVER - While Rose Miranda waits for her April court date to face potential charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking, the 65-year-old retired education assistant can't take cannabis for her arthritis. Mounties have also banned her from visiting or contacting anyone at Phoenix Pain Management Society, the medical marijuana dispensary where she was volunteering when she was arrested in Nanaimo, B.C. "I love Baby Trudeau, but he says, ' We're going to fix this.' When? Meanwhile, I have clients who don't have their medication," Miranda said. [continues 551 words]
Spike in Drug Overdoses Underscores Need for Managed Injection Sites, Alto Says The recent spate of drug overdoses underscores the need for supervised-consumption services in the capital region, says Victoria Coun. Marianne Alto. "The evidence points to this. In every city where there are such services, overdoses are extremely reduced, if not eliminated if you have this kind of service available," said Alto, who has been the council lead for the issue. Authorities are sounding the alarm after at least 20 people in Victoria overdosed on illicit drugs in the past few days. [continues 513 words]
'I am not a criminal,' says 65-year-old arrested this month in Nanaimo raids VANCOUVER - While Rose Miranda waits for her April court date to face potential charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking, the 65-year-old retired education assistant can't take cannabis for her arthritis. Mounties have also banned her from visiting or contacting anyone at Phoenix Pain Management Society, the medical marijuana dispensary where she was volunteering when she was arrested in Nanaimo. "I love Baby Trudeau, but he says, 'We're going to fix this.' When? Meanwhile, I have clients who don't have their medication," Miranda said. [continues 780 words]
Marijuana is a cash crop with gigantic profit margins that are made possible only by prohibition laws. Canadian consumers will be the victims of pricegouging if the legalization of marijuana does not allow a free open market that allows private enterprise to compete in the establishment of a fairmarket value for the herb, yet the government is not even contemplating the establishment of an open market and has restricted production of marijuana to a big-business model. Government policy objectives are said to focus on preventing access to pot by minors, by restricting marijuana production to a few "big business" producers and by restricting sale and distribution to provincial liquor board monopolies. Such policy will do nothing to eliminate the black market, which is the source of the marijuana that is sold to minors by teenage drug dealers. Note that there are no teenage "drug dealers" selling corner-store tobacco to minors. [continues 122 words]
TORONTO - Michael Korchak says he could see the stares and hear the whispers. He'd hit a snag on his trip home to Burlington last Thursday for Christmas and a group of Air Canada employees was gathering around him at its busy departure gate at the Halifax airport. The 25-year-old Canadian Armed Forces member, who's in the process of receiving a medical discharge because of a traumatic injury suffered on duty, has a prescription for medicinal marijuana to help with chronic pain. [continues 401 words]
Soldier with medicinal pot barred from flight Michael Korchak says he could see the stares and hear the whispers. He hit a snag on his trip home to Burlington last Thursday for Christmas and a group of Air Canada employees was gathering around him at its busy departure gate at the Halifax airport. The 25-year-old member of the Canadian Armed Forces, who's in the process of receiving a medical discharge because of a traumatic injury suffered on duty, has a prescription for medicinal marijuana to help with chronic pain. [continues 342 words]
Health unit concerned about what's in the heroin now on the streets of Owen Sound Grey Bruce Health Unit is warning about a potentially lethal heroin mix available locally which is blamed for one man's death and two other overdoses in Owen Sound on Monday alone. Grey County Emergency Services contacted the health unit about heroin circulating in the community following protocols triggered when there's a health concern the public should know about, Dr. Christine Kennedy, the acting medical officer of health, said in an interview. [continues 534 words]
Considering Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mandated Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, to begin the process of legalizing and regulating cannabis (marijuana) in Canada, isn't Michael Den Tandt mistaken (Legalizing pot not high on list for our new pm, Dec. 16, 2015) to discount the importance of ending cannabis prohibition? It may not be the top priority but it is one of the most important and current issues in North America. Further, attempting to discount Colorado's example of RE-legalizing cannabis is fraught with misanalyzing information. In fact, the law is working as planned and every subsequent poll indicates Colorado citizens and voters continue to support ending cannabis in the state. Truthfully, Stan White, Dillon, Colorado [end]
Canadians With Dope Convictions Call on PM to Offer Pardons Marcus Richardson is, in the eyes of the law, a criminal. Never mind that a judge ruled the six kilograms of cannabis police found in his car was for severely ill patients at a medical marijuana dispensary. Or that the same judge imposed only a minimum sentence because anything more would fail to maintain "a just, peaceful and safe society." He's a criminal - and so are scores of other Canadians who face barriers to travel and work because they were caught with a drug that the government now intends to legalize. [continues 555 words]
Considering Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mandated Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to begin the process of legalizing and regulating cannabis (marijuana) in Canada, isn't Michael Den Tandt mistaken (Legalizing Pot Not High on List for Our New PM, Dec. 16, 2015) to discount the importance of ending cannabis prohibition? It may not be the top priority but it is one of the most important and current issues in North America. Further, attempting to discount Colorado's example of Re-legalizing cannabis is fraught with misanalyzing information. In fact, the law is working as planned and every subsequent poll indicates Colorado citizens and voters continue to support ending cannabis in the state. Stan White Colorado [end]
Canadians with dope convictions call for pardons VANCOUVER - Marcus Richardson is, in the eyes of the law, a criminal. Never mind that a judge ruled the six kilograms of cannabis police found in his car was for severely ill patients at a medical marijuana dispensary. Or that the same judge imposed only a minimum sentence because anything more would fail to maintain "a just, peaceful and safe society." He's a criminal - and so are scores of other Canadians who face barriers to travel and work because they were caught with a drug that the government now intends to legalize. [continues 684 words]
Hope Trudeau will bring relief from repercussions of pot-related convictions Marcus Richardson is, in the eyes of the law, a criminal. Never mind that a judge ruled the six kilograms of cannabis police found in his car was for severely ill patients at a medical marijuana dispensary. Or that the same judge imposed only a minimum sentence because anything more would fail to maintain "a just, peaceful and safe society." He's a criminal - and so are scores of other Canadians who face barriers to travel and work because they were caught with a drug that the government now intends to legalize. [continues 782 words]
VANCOUVER - Marcus Richardson is, in the eyes of the law, a criminal. Never mind that a judge ruled the six kilograms of cannabis police found in his car was for severely ill patients at a medical marijuana dispensary. Or that the same judge imposed only a minimum sentence because anything more would fail to maintain "a just, peaceful and safe society." He's a criminal - and so are scores of other Canadians who face barriers to travel and work because they were caught with a drug that the government now intends to legalize. [continues 786 words]
Marcus Richardson is, in the eyes of the law, a criminal. Never mind that a judge ruled the six kilograms of cannabis police found in his car was for severely ill patients at a medical marijuana dispensary. Or that the same judge imposed only a minimum sentence because anything more would fail to maintain "a just, peaceful and safe society." He's a criminal _ and so are scores of other Canadians who face barriers to travel and work because they were caught with a drug that the government now intends to legalize. [continues 812 words]
Medical marijuana's eloquent advocates make persistent and powerful claims for its therapeutic value. It is often portrayed as benign and risk-free. But the challenge for doctors is that, unlike most other drugs, there is a paucity of scientific evidence to support its status as a medicine, describe its benefits, itemize its side effects and recommend the right dosage.Marijuana simply hasn't been tested to the same degree as most other pharmaceuticals. Even doctors who want to prescribe it don't know as much as they should. [continues 297 words]
VANCOUVER - Marcus Richardson is, in the eyes of the law, a criminal. Never mind that a judge ruled the six kilograms of cannabis police found in his car was for severely-ill patients at a medical marijuana dispensary. Or that the same judge imposed only a minimum sentence because anything more would fail to maintain "a just, peaceful and safe society." He's a criminal - and so are scores of other Canadians who face barriers to travel and work because they were caught with a drug that the government now intends to legalize. [continues 813 words]
Pardons, Now Called Record Suspensions, Seal a Criminal Record to Allow Offenders Wjo Have Since Lived Crime-Free to Travel VANCOUVER- Marcus Richardson is, in the eyes of the law, a criminal. Never mind that a judge ruled the six kilograms of cannabis police found in his car was for severely ill patients at a medical marijuana dispensary. Or that the same judge imposed only a minimum sentence because anything more would fail to maintain "a just, peaceful and safe society." [continues 469 words]
Re: Legalizing pot not high on list for our new PM (Dec. 16). Considering Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mandated Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to begin the process of legalizing and regulating cannabis (marijuana) in Canada, isn't columnist Michael Den Tandt mistaken to discount the importance of ending cannabis prohibition? It may not be the top priority, but it is one of the most important and current issues in North America. Further, attempting to discount Colorado's example of re-legalizing cannabis is fraught with misanalyzing information. In fact, the law is working as planned and every subsequent poll indicates Colorado citizens and voters continue to support ending cannabis in the state. Stan White Dillon, Colo. [end]
As a Western-trained doctor, I have long been aware of modern medicine's limitations in handling chronic conditions of mind and body. For all our achievements, there are ailments whose ravages we physicians can at best alleviate. In our narrow pursuit of cure, we fail to comprehend the essence of healing. Thus the popularity of ayahuasca, the Amazonian plant medicine that many Westerners seek out for the healing of physical illness or mental anguish or for a sense of meaning amid the growing alienation in our culture. [continues 464 words]
Re: "Liberals face choice of options about how to deal with pot," Dec. 19. Considering Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mandated Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to begin the process of legalizing and regulating cannabis (marijuana) in Canada, options no longer include any form of cannabis prohibition. It is not any longer a question of affordability, or support for increased taxes to perpetuate cannabis prohibition. In fact the majority, which is still growing, understands that is just plain wrong to cage responsible adults who choose to use a relatively safe, extremely popular God-given plant. A rational person is only left with trying to understand why it has taken this long to end one of North America's worst policy failures in history. Thank God, cannabis prohibition is dead and all that's left is the formalities, which cannot come soon enough. Cannabis prohibitionists will have to find other people to discriminate against. Stan White Dillon, Colo. [end]
What does Colorado think? Considering Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mandated Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to begin the process of legalizing and regulating cannabis (marijuana) in Canada, isn't Michael Den Tandt mistaken (Legalizing Pot Not High on List for Our New PM, Dec. 16, 2015) to discount the importance of ending cannabis prohibition? It may not be the top priority but it is one of the most important and current issues in North America. Further, attempting to discount Colorado's example of Re-legalizing cannabis is fraught with misanalyzing information. In fact, the law is working as planned and every subsequent poll indicates Colorado citizens and voters continue to support ending cannabis in the state. Stan White, Colorado [end]
An updated program of drug, mental health and social media awareness is being presented to children and youth in Brantford schools. Part of a changeover that began in 2014 as a pilot project across city schools in both the public and separate boards resulted in an agency name change to TICK (Teaching Intelligent Choices to Kids) from the former DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education). "The DARE program met the needs of our community for a long time," said TICK Inc. president Susan Reid. [continues 344 words]
Medical, recreational uses different TORONTO - Ontario is looking for federal government guidance on regulating clinics that sell medical marijuana and on how pot should be sold for recreational use once it's legalized. The federal Liberals promised in this month's throne speech to "legalize, regulate and restrict access to marijuana" to keep it out of the hands of children while also denying criminals the financial profits. The new government plans to remove possession of small amounts of marijuana from the Criminal Code and create new laws to more severely punish those who provide it to minors or drive while under its influence. [continues 479 words]
Legislation: Ontario Premier wants to be `socially responsible' as federal government moves to legalize weed TORONTO - Ontario is looking for federal government guidance on regulating clinics that sell medical marijuana and on how pot should be sold for recreational use once it's legalized. The federal Liberals promised in this month's throne speech to "legalize, regulate and restrict access to marijuana" to keep it out of the hands of children while also denying criminals the financial profits. The new government plans to remove possession of small amounts of marijuana from the Criminal Code and create new laws to more severely punish those who provide it to minors or drive while under its influence. Premier Kathleen Wynne says there hasn't been enough discussion about the distinctions between medicinal and recreationalmarijuana, which is one reason she suggested Ontario's government-run liquor stores would be well-suited to retailing legalized pot. [continues 583 words]
Our new federal government has made it clear that legalized marijuana is just a matter of time. A visitor to Canada would be forgiven for believing legalization has already taken place: Cannabis dispensaries have been popping up across the country, especially in the past few months. Many of these dispensaries are geared toward providing cannabis to people with a prescription from their doctor. But recent reports from Toronto show that many dispensaries sell cannabis with little more than the customer's signature on a waiver form. Although illegal, the outlets seem to be operating more openly, presumably on the assumption that if legalization is coming, enforcement will leave them alone. Thus far, with a few exceptions, they seem to be right. [continues 440 words]
To the editor: Considering Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mandated Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, to begin the process of legalizing and regulating cannabis (marijuana) in Canada, isn't Michael Den Tandt mistaken (Legalizing Pot Not High on List for Our New PM, Dec. 16, 2015 Recorder and Times) to discount the importance of ending cannabis prohibition? It may not be the top priority but it is one of the most important and current issues in North America. Further, attempting to discount Colorado's example of re-legalizing cannabis is fraught with mis-analysing information. In fact, the law is working as planned and every subsequent poll indicates Colorado citizens and voters continue to support ending cannabis in the state. Stan White, Dillon, Colorado [end]
As Canada mulls how to handle marijuana legalization - promised in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's election platform - experts are stressing the "Goldilocks point" for taxes: not too low, not too high, but just right. "They can't raise taxes too much or people will just smoke the illegal stuff," said Timothy Easton, an economist at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, B.C. "You want to have it high enough to discourage consumption - if, in fact, that's your goal - but if you set it too high you end up with a continuation of the black market," noted Patrick Fafard, associate professor at the University of Ottawa's Graduate School of Public and International Affairs. [continues 426 words]
More young Ontarians say they're likely to try drug, but overall consumption won't change much More young adults in Ontario say they would smoke marijuana if the federal government legalizes the drug, according to a new public opinion poll. The provincewide survey, released exclusively to the Star by Forum Research, found that 29 per cent of respondents aged 18 to 34 reported using weed in the past year. But 39 per cent of people in the same demographic said they would likely take the drug if it were legal. [continues 631 words]
Despite suggestions from two Canadian premiers that legalized weed be sold in provincial liquor stores, Saskatchewan's premier has more pressing concerns than point-of-sale mechanics. "I think there are still questions to ask before we start worrying about where it's sold," Brad Wall told reporters on Monday. Although reports from jurisdictions such as Colorado where recreational marijuana use is legal are "very preliminary," it appears that usage is increasing and users are becoming younger, Wall said. "Our counsel would be, let' s learn as much as we can," he said. "Let's take some time and learn as much as we can from what's going on in Colorado." [continues 292 words]
Nanaimo's New Democrat MP wants government to strike from the Criminal Code of Canada wording that makes it illegal to possess cannabis. Sheila Malcolmson said government should stopping laying charges first, before destroying the records of those convicted of possession charges - something her colleague, NDP justice critic and Victoria MP Murray Rankin raised the subject last week in the House of Commons. "I think we should (do that), but I think the first step is to decriminalize possession of small amounts - that way we won't continue to add criminal records in the community," Malcolmson said. "It's an easier thing to do - all you have to do is remove a line in the text of the Criminal Code." [continues 258 words]
Ottawa - The modest amount of tax money expected from legalized marijuana sales should go to addiction and support programs, the prime minister says. There's potential for "a bit of revenue" from a revamped pot regime, but the federal government isn't looking for a financial windfall, Justin Trudeau said in a wide-ranging roundtable interview this week with The Canadian Press. "It was never about a moneymaker. It was always about public health, public safety." Any cash that flows to public coffers through marijuana taxation should go towards addiction treatment, mental health support and education programs - not general revenues, he said. The Liberals have promised to legalize, regulate and restrict access to marijuana to keep it out of the hands of children while denying criminals the financial profits. [continues 187 words]
The Ontario government was on the right track with its plan to stiffen the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and ban the use of e-cigarettes wherever tobacco smoking isn't allowed starting on Jan. 1. It would have meant e-cigarette smokers couldn't "light" up and blow clouds of vapour about in workplaces, restaurants, bars, movie theatres and other public places. That was a smart move for two reasons. It would prevent people from being irritated from vapours released by e-cigarette liquids laced with everything from peppermint to nicotine. And it would have answered concerns that the use of the devices in public spaces "normalizes" smoking behaviour after decades of public health campaigns dedicated to making it socially unacceptable. [continues 319 words]
Inside Canada
