A lot of Conservatives are wondering exactly what their party will look like in a couple of years. What values will it place front and centre? Which policies will it continue to hold dear and which will it jettison? Will it try to move more to the left in response to Justin Trudeau's majority win?

It's that last one that has some party members I've spoken with, both in the caucus and the grassroots, a little worried.

In May, they'll have the opportunity to hash these issues out at their annual convention. It'll be one of the most intellectually liberated in years, because not only is there no Prime Minister's Office to tell them what to think, but there will be prospective leadership candidates milling about with their different visions for the party.

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One of the themes of last fall's election campaign, of course, was that former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper had embarrassed Canada on the international stage. For instance, his willingness to commit Canadian troops to a combat role in the war against terrorists and his unwillingness to play along with meaningless United Nations symbolism on climate change had, allegedly, lowered Canada's standing in the eyes of the world.

Just about the only people who care about Canada's international reputation are self-important elitists. The average tradesman working overtime to make ends meet couldn't care less. Nor could the average commercial fisherman or prairie farm couple.

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Congratulations to Canada and new Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the move toward ending cannabis (marijuana) prohibition ( The pot smokers are getting restless, Editorial, Dec. 28).

However, it should not take "many years before weed is legalized." Cannabis prohibition is already over - it's just a matter of formalities and calling off the dogs.

People aren't waiting on government to end cannabis prohibition - get the job done right now.

Stan White

Dillon, Colo.

[end]

MARIJUANA users seem to be getting restless for the new legal regime promised by the Liberal party during the federal election.

In Winnipeg, a clandestine pot-delivery service has already popped up, while other would-be dispensers are turning blue waiting for the law to change. The same restless urge to strike down the old prohibitions has been noticeable across Canada.

There wasn't a whiff of news about when the air might clear, however, until Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Vancouver recently, the most pot-friendly city in Canada.

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Impairment Not Proven, Says Judge

HE admits smoking up before getting behind the wheel and feeling a bit "tipsy" as a result. But one of the first "driving while impaired by drug" cases in Manitoba has ended with the accused going free because a judge says it's not clear whether the accused's marijuana use had any significant impact on his motor skills.

"The indicia of impairment by alcohol are fairly well-known and accepted in the case law: improper driving, bloodshot or watery eyes, flushed face, odour of alcohol, slurred speech, lack of co-ordination and inability to perform physical tests, a lack of comprehension and inappropriate behaviour," provincial court Judge Cynthia Devine said in her written decision.

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'Freedom Advocate' Offers Service As Legalization Vowed

THE federal government hasn't yet legalized marijuana in Canada, but that hasn't stopped a Winnipeg drug dealer from advertising a pot-delivery service.

A flyer circulating in some parts of the city promises to deliver marijuana to cash-paying customers by "appointment" arranged over encrypted email.

It's unclear how widely the flyer has circulated - copies have been delivered to some residents' homes, but the Winnipeg Police Service said it hasn't received any complaints.

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Re: "Liquor Marts should sell legalized pot: Selinger," Nov. 20.

Manitoba's premier wants future marijuana sales to be similar to alcohol - which is very bad news for our teenagers and young adults. Both alcohol and drug use can affect the developing brain in terms of emotional and cognitive development. Teenagers and young adults who use marijuana are twice as likely to experience depression, anxiety and challenges with learning. It is preposterous that Mr. Selinger truly believes that Liquor and Lotteries' employees will advise buyers on the risks of marijuana use. Even if they do, the drug is going to be that much more 'acceptable' and more likely to be consumed by our young people.

Norma Jones



(Well, it's not exactly a Manitoba plan - our new PM is the one proposing the government sell pot.)

[end]

Re: The dope dilemma (Nov. 21). While I don't want to minimize the hazards of smoking marijuana and driving, leafing through the pages following Gordon Sinclair Jr.'s article was interesting.

There I read an article about a man who had been beaten senseless and left with permanent brain damage.

The next article described how a woman had been brutally beaten to death. Both crimes were carried out by extremely intoxicated men.

I can't recall ever reading of any violent crime committed by someone high on pot.

Maybe society would be better off with more pot smokers and fewer drinkers.

Randy Rasmussen

Winnipeg

[end]

Manitoba's premier wants the vast majority of future marijuana sales to be handled just as alcohol ones are - under Crown corporation control.

Premier Greg Selinger said he believes those sales - which the federal Liberal government has promised to legalize - should take place through Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries staff within Liquor Marts. The only exception would be for rural areas, where that option isn't available.

"The system we have in Manitoba allows for greater social responsibility, 2% of the (revenues) are re-invested back into social responsibility ... and to make sure that the public is safely served," said Selinger.

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IT didn't take long for the Selinger government to smell the "charm" of legalized marijuana. The potential windfall from a liberalized era of lighting up is perfectly intoxicating. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised legalized pot will hit the streets soon enough, and there's going to be tax revenue in that.

That's why pot got special mention in Premier Greg Selinger's throne speech, noting Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries is perfectly positioned to act as the middle man in the marijuana trade. Mr. Selinger warns pot is highly addictive and therefore too risky to put in the hands of the private sector. So, he made clear liquor marts alone will be both buyer and seller of marijuana.

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Should you call police if you suspect a driver is impaired by marijuana?

I CAME bumper to bumper with a dilemma on a Sunday evening two weeks ago.

A dilemma that forced me to make a decision I'm still debating. Later, it would make me wonder what most of you would have done if you had been there. It was just before closing time at the Chamois Car Wash on Waverley Street when I pulled up, rolled down my window and the pleasant young woman asked what kind of air freshener I preferred with my wash. That's when the strong, pungent smell of marijuana hit me. It was coming from the decal-decorated blue Honda hatchback in front of my car.

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Says 'Highly Addictive' Drug Should Be Government-Controlled

PREMIER Greg Selinger says cannabis products are "highly addictive drugs" that ought to be sold primarily through Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries stores once Ottawa legalizes marijuana.

One day after MLL declared it is considering all options for cannabis sales - private retail stores, government outlets or a combination of both - Manitoba's premier said he'd prefer to see marijuana sold much like alcohol is sold in this province.

"These are all highly addictive drugs and we want to make sure Manitobans get the best opportunity to be protected from them," Selinger said Thursday at the legislative building.

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Provincial Liquor and Gaming Authorities Look to Experience of States Where It's Legal

THE impending legalization of cannabis has sparked a formal effort in Manitoba to determine how marijuana ought to be regulated and sold.

In Monday's throne speech, the Selinger government said Manitoba's Liquor & Gaming Authority and Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries "will be well-positioned to regulate the sale and distribution of marijuana in a safe and socially responsible manner" once Justin Trudeau's Liberals make it legal to light up.

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IMAGINE living in a world where horrifying memories are so vivid, the lines between past and present are blurred. You spend your waking hours on high alert. You feel intense fear. You see threats everywhere. You have difficulty sleeping, and when you do sleep, nightmares plague you.

You experience extreme mood swings. Others may simply see you as a difficult person to be around.

Few understand you, many don't want to. You may even struggle to understand yourself.

For others, the symptoms might be less severe, but nevertheless, an impact is made. This is the nature of trauma. Now imagine there is something you can take that can help you feel instant relief. Imagine you can take something that can help you to feel "normal" again. This is the nature of substance abuse. Finally, imagine you cannot stop seeking relief this way because it is the only way you ever feel better. This is the nature of addiction. The Addictions Foundation of Manitoba defines addiction as an unhealthy relationship between a person and a mood-or mind-altering substance, experience, event or activity, which contributes to life problems and their recurrence. Those who have experienced trauma are vulnerable.

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With plans for a major expansion looming, Delta 9 - a local Health Canada medical cannabis producer - has joined the Canadian Medical Cannabis Council (CMCC), the association announced Tuesday.

"We wanted to further the interests of our patients, address insurance coverage and make sure our patients were getting a good enough supply of medicinal marijuana," Delta 9 vice-president John Arbuthnot said.

"Delta 9 is very excited to join CMCC in creating and implementing the highest standards of safety, quality, and patient access within Canada's medical cannabis industry."

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When it comes to legalizing marijuana, Colorado has been blazing a trail for other jurisdictions to follow since 2012.

But Tom Gordon, director of the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (RMHIDTA) program, tells the Toronto Sun his federal government program has been studying the impact legalizing pot has had on the state and the results so far appear "pretty grim."

Question: The RMHIDTA report released in September, "the legalization of marijuana in Colorado: the impact," found marijuana use has essentially doubled among adults and youths, 12 to 17, since Colorado legalized the recreational use and sale of the drug. Did this surprise you?

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Smoking out our new PM's promises to legalize marijuana

I was shocked - shocked! - that Justin Trudeau did not name a marijuana minister.

Maybe there wasn't room in his shrunken cabinet. So the new attorney general, Jody Wilson-Raybould, will carry the torch for the rookie prime minister's sexiest campaign promise: Legal weed.

But how will our grass grow? In the next four years - before Canadians come to their senses and dust Justin for our first Libertarian PM - how will Pot Nation unfold?

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No Quick Route to Legalizing Pot in Canada

On Parliament Hill, the real work gets done by committees of MPs.

But which committee gets to figure out how to legalize pot, as per Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's most famous campaign promise?

The Justice Committee? The Health Committee? Or perhaps - wait for it - - a Joint Committee?

Bad puns aside, making pot legal is not going to happen quickly or without some controversy, partly because government works through these issues by committees.

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JUSTIN Trudeau may not realize it yet, but his plan to legalize marijuana is likely to have a profound effect on international drug policy, possibly leading to a reappraisal of the failed war on drugs.

Canada would also run afoul of at least three international drug conventions to which it is a signatory.

These agreements require Canada to do its part to halt the use and trafficking of illegal drugs, including marijuana.

While many countries have liberalized their laws on pot, only one other country - Uruguay - has legalized it. Four American states have also made recreational use of marijuana legal, but Washington still adheres to the international agreements and is officially opposed to legalization.

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Someone will need to watch over the looming marijuana industry in this country.

Let's face it: Pot has been a moneymaking business in Canada for a long time.

It just so happened the folks making money were often criminals, either by definition or in reality.

Now, it's set to become a moneymaking industry of a different stripe - for corporate Canada. (No jokes needed.)

If the Trudeau government goes ahead with its promise to legalize recreational marijuana - and that remains an 'if,' for the moment - there will be opportunity for some to reap significant profits.

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