The National Post recently scandalized its famously conservative readers with a headline claiming that "about half of Canadians who drive while high insist pot doesn't impair them." The article - When is stoned too stoned? - further sensationalized the "crisis" by noting: "nothing would make (20 per cent of those surveyed) stop driving while stoned." With the Trudeau government poised to legalize marijuana, it was enough to send neo-cons into paroxysms of paranoia, fearing our roads would be turned into killing fields by the demon weed. [continues 997 words]
A new Edmonton professional group wants to help local women rise high in the blossoming Canadian cannabis industry. While mention of someone working in the pot field might bring up images of stoners selling dime bags, Women Grow Edmonton chair Alison McMahon says the city has medical marijuana clinics, smoke stores, hemp shops and the headquarters of Alberta's only licensed grower, Aurora Cannabis Enterprises Inc. "This is an industry that's changing so rapidly and becoming mainstream quickly," she says. [continues 402 words]
There's never a good time to have a pointless case brought before the courts, but doing so in the midst of an acute judge shortage seems rather foolish and counterproductive. Already this year in Alberta, three sexual assault trials have been delayed until 2017 because there are no judges available to hear them. Despite the already considerable strain on the system, though, Vancouver pot activist Dana Larsen is being prosecuted for the apparently heinous crime of giving away marijuana seeds. [continues 581 words]
Dear pot smokers: Please don't f--k this up. We are on the verge of legalization. This is a pivotal moment in our country. And some of you - actually statistically about half of you - are ruining it. In a recent survey, conducted by State Farm, 44 per cent of marijuana users said they don't think the drug impacts their ability to drive a car. Come on, you'd have to be high to believe that. I'm a little sad to have to spell this out for you, but if pot didn't have an effect on your brain, you wouldn't use it. It might be green and fuzzy like a muppet, but it's a drug. Please treat it like one. [continues 325 words]
Pedestrians cheered, car drivers honked and even a bus driver showed their support by blasting their horn as pot users banded together to march for marijuana legalization, and to support pot activist Dana Larsen during his first court appearance in Calgary. Larsen, known for his "Overgrow Canada" campaign in which he vowed to give out a million marijuana seeds country-wide, was arrested in Calgary last month during one of his give-away events. His appearance in court today was preceded by a couple dozen supporters with picket signs, followed by a rally that marched to city hall from the Calgary Courts Centre. [continues 166 words]
'I feel like we might get the laws against cannabis seeds overturned' Pedestrians cheered, car drivers honked and even a bus driver showed support by blasting the horn as marijuana users banded together to march for marijuana legalization, and to support pot activist Dana Larsen during his first court appearance in Calgary. Larsen, known for his "Overgrow Canada" campaign in which he vowed to give out a million marijuana seeds countrywide, was arrested in Calgary last month during one of his giveaway events. [continues 337 words]
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to legalize marijuana in last year's federal election and it's time he started answering questions on when and how. Having Federal Health Minister Jane Philpott announce at the United Nations on April 20 -- or 4/20, otherwise known as Weed Day -- that Canada will introduce a law next spring was politically cute, but nothing more. Back at home, the Liberals aren't dealing with an increasing number of questions about legalization. In Toronto, Mayor John Tory is rightly worried about the sudden proliferation of unregulated marijuana dispensaries in anticipation of legalization, which are popping up all over the city, some close to schools. [continues 282 words]
The city and province appear to have gotten the point about the needle-littered expanse dubbed "heroin island." Three weeks after Calgary mom Jasmine Van Dyk raised the alarm about a trove of used needles and trash strewn over a small island on the Bow River in the northwest neighbourhood of Montgomery, the area councillor says efforts are underway to clean up the potentially dangerous mess. Coun. Ward Sutherland said fire crews were assessing the island by boat Tuesday and a plan to sweep it clean is imminent. "I've spoken to the fire chief (Steve Dongworth) personally and he knows it's a serious issue," said the Ward 1 councillor, raising concerns about Bow River waters rising. [continues 172 words]
As medical marijuana use becomes a more common treatment for many ailments, employers and supervisors need to be aware of its use among employees. Last week, the Private Motor Truck Council and Wetaskiwin Home Hardware's Western Distribution Centre hosted a seminar with Dr. Barry Kurtzer, medical director and Chief Medical Review Officer of Drivercheck Inc., which provides workplace drug testing and assessments. The Ontario doctor told attendees that society has to change how it views marijuana use, that people who use medical marijuana don't fit the pot head stereotypes of illegal marijuana users. [continues 512 words]
Vaping Rules Restrict Use of Prescribed Medication A Calgary medical marijuana user is looking for clarity on where and when he can use the substance. Daniel - not his real name - told Metro he's been using marijuana to deal with anxiety, PTSD and depression. He uses a vaporizer to consume his marijuana, which he gets legally through Aurora Cannabis, located in Alberta. He said he's not looking to vape everywhere all the time, but said there are times when he has a panic attack and can't make it outside. [continues 254 words]
Young People Need A Voice As Legislation To Legalize Rolls Out, Writes Rebecca Haines-saah The April 20 announcement by federal Minister of Health Jane Philpott regarding the imminent legalization of cannabis use in Canada has provided us with the opportunity to protect our sensibilities or our children. We won't be able to do both and so we must choose. When Philpott announced that the government plans to have legislation to legalize cannabis ready by spring 2017, the priority of "protecting children" was front and centre. [continues 597 words]
The Great Remembrance Day Bust, as it became known in peer folklore, began with two long-haired gun-wielding undercover Toronto drug cops busting down the door and charging up the stairs, followed by six uniformed officers. It was 2 a.m. I was still in college, and had just returned from my part-time job on the sports desk at Canadian Press. I was making Kraft dinner, and was standing in the kitchen wearing nothing but undershorts and a Fly United T-shirt depicting two ducks copulating in mid-flight. [continues 508 words]
Police Have Challenge Ahead With Legal Weed and Impaired Driving While recreational marijuana use is on the brink of being legalized in Canada, driving while high isn't, said a Colorado state trooper speaking to local law enforcement about how to curb drivers impaired by drugs. "You are legalizing the consumption of marijuana; you are not legalizing driving impaired," said Lt.-Col. Kevin Eldridge after delivering a seminar to local law enforcement at the eighth International Conference on Urban Traffic Safety April 25 at the Shaw Conference Centre. [continues 628 words]
City Police Prepare to Better Recognize Drivers Under the Influence of Drugs Ahead of the Pending Legalization of Marijuana While recreational marijuana use is on the brink of being legalized in Canada, driving while high isn't, said a Colorado state trooper speaking to local law enforcement about how to curb drivers impaired by drugs. "You are legalizing the consumption of marijuana; you are not legalizing driving impaired," said Lt.-Col. Kevin Eldridge of Colorado State Patrol, after delivering a seminar to local law enforcement at the eighth International Conference on Urban Traffic Safety at the Shaw Conference Centre last Monday. [continues 732 words]
The federal health minister says the exact role of the provinces in regulating legal marijuana has yet to be determined, but there is a model in how they already deal with alcohol and tobacco. Jane Philpott announced last week at the United Nations that the Canadian government would introduce legislation next spring to legalize pot. The Liberals plan to appoint a task force to work out the issues raised by legalization, including the responsibilities of provincial governments. Speaking to reporters at the Liberals' cabinet retreat in Kananaskis, Philpott said it's too early to talk specifics but noted provinces already have a regulatory role. [continues 316 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 Philpot 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 409 words]
The federal government, in a feat of showmanship, announced last Wednesday that marijuana legalization would be coming next spring. The day is known as 420 among head shops and the people who frequent them. An often-cited anecdote when it comes to drug regulation refers to the case of Portugal. Prior to 2001, the country was experiencing a drug epidemic. Post 2001, the country's government decriminalized possession of drugs. This led to a marked decrease in rates of hard drug use (like heroin and cocaine) and HIV, though, notably, an increase in recreational marijuana use. [continues 661 words]
The federal health minister says the exact role of the provinces in regulating legal marijuana has yet to be determined but there is a model in how they already deal with alcohol and tobacco. Jane Philpott announced last week at the UN that the Canadian government would introduce legislation next spring to legalize pot. The Liberals plan to appoint a task force to work out the issues raised by legalization, including the responsibilities of provincial governments. Speaking to reporters at the Liberal's cabinet retreat in Kananaskis, Philpott said it's too early to talk specifics but noted provinces already have a regulatory role. [continues 251 words]