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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
Re: "Legalized pot sales could fund addiction programs," Dec. 18. I find it ironic that marijuana samples for sale in dispensing stores are clearly visible to anyone who goes inside, to purchase or look, yet tobacco products are kept hidden behind black curtains or underneath the counter in a convenience or grocery store. Furthermore, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau states that taxes from marijuana sales will go toward helping people with addictions. So first we get them hooked, then spend tax money helping with their addiction. The world is turned upside down. John Hickson Cobble Hill [end]
Inside British Columbia
