It really makes my blood boil when I read about senseless deaths from drug overdoses that were very likely behind the demise of the two men recently found dead in their car. Drug laws must change, as drug dealers are under no compulsion to produce a pure product in a standard dosage, and they profit handsomely from the sale of their adulterated wares. If drugs were regulated and sold at cost to those with addictions, it would be better for all concerned. [continues 64 words]
Price, availability, addictiveness appeal to young people, police say THE city's youth are fuelling a surge in methamphetamine use because it's a cheaper way to get a long-lasting high. In fact, "because of its affordability, addictive nature and accessibility, the methamphetamine user base in Winnipeg has increased significantly over a few short years, allowing traffickers to prosper," the Winnipeg Police Service said in a statement. Sadly, both police and health officials don't expect the situation to get better any time soon. [continues 1087 words]
Pot activist aims to make 4/20 family friendly "As pot's becoming legal, why wouldn't it be like any other festival?" Steven Stairs, president of the Winnipeg 4/20 organizing committee Should the same festival offer both a "bud garden" and a bouncy castle?. A local medical marijuana advocate is proposing just that for a pro-cannabis event next spring. Steven Stairs, president of the Winnipeg 4/20 organizing committee, said he's met with city and provincial officials to discuss ways to add a kid-friendly element to festivities a day after the main event on April 20, 2017. [continues 522 words]
Owner doesn't expect trouble from police. Winnipeggers green with envy over the lack of marijuana dispensaries sprouting up as they have in other cities can finally chill as there's a new pot shop in town. It's not going to have cannabis products on site, but after its soft launch on Friday, 'Weeds Glass and Gifts' will begin signing up legal clients to order marijuana medicine on their behalf. Owner Don Brier said the new store at 52 Adelaide Street will be a headshop, an education centre and intermediary between cannabis users and suppliers. [continues 420 words]
Bill Blair, the federal government's lead on legalizing marijuana, has been quietly meeting with advocates for the illegal pot shops springing up across the country, hearing their arguments for how regulating the sector could help eliminate the black market. Mr. Blair blasted dispensary operators at a recent conference as reckless profiteers "who don't care about the law, who don't care about regulations, don't care about kids, they don't care about communities, they don't care about health of Canadians." But days later, the Liberal MP and former Toronto Police chief held a series of informal "behind the scenes" talks at the party's convention in Winnipeg, according to Rosy Mondin, a Vancouver lawyer who recently co-founded the non-profit Cannabis Trade Alliance of Canada, which represents legal and illegal marijuana business owners. [continues 686 words]
If not for stepping out for a coffee, my oldest nephew, Jay, would have been among the nearly 100 arrested in the coordinated police raids of 43 storefront Toronto pot dispensaries at the end of May. Instead, he got grainy smartphone footage of the takedown of the dispensary where he works as a clerk - footage taken from across the street of police with guns drawn, of his co-workers in handcuffs, and even a "patient" in a wheelchair being cuffed as well. [continues 508 words]
While marijuana dispensaries proliferate and engage in a game of legally-grey chicken with authorities in some Canadian cities, Winnipeg police say the same simply isn't happening locally. "There are a few people that have tried to open up and we enforced the laws as we know them right away," said Winnipeg Police Service Grow Operations Unit member, Sgt. Carrol MacDonald. "To my knowledge there has only been a handful, it's not as bad as Toronto or Vancouver." 'Look what happened' [continues 869 words]
Justin Trudeau sits down with Free Press editor Paul Samyn to talk about urgent legislation, First Nations, marijuana... and Stephen Harper PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau sat down with Winnipeg Free Press editor Paul Samyn for an exclusive interview Thursday. The event, held at the Winnipeg Free Press News Cafe, was a fulfilment of promise Trudeau had made to the newspaper. "I was here a few years ago, and one of the promises I made - and it's great when a politician can keep promises - was to come back," said the casually dressed Trudeau. [continues 2735 words]
Pot Protesters Call Out PM on Lack of Action on Promise to Legalize A disillusioned group of medical marijuana users rallied outside the RBC Convention Centre hoping to capture the attention of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the Liberal Party convention Saturday. Once enthused by Trudeau's election promise to legalize marijuana, the group was stunned by Project Claudia, a raid where 90 people at multiple cannabis dispensaries were arrested in Toronto on Thursday. "I'm here to defend dispensaries and what went on in Toronto," said Holly Plouffe, who legally uses medicinal marijuana to address a number of health conditions. "I think that's a terrible waste of tax dollars. Cannabis is saving lives. Cannabis is saving my life. I've been terribly sick and it's doing me far better than any prescription pills ever have, and I really want to see the mania stopped. People are sick. They have taken away medicine from sick people. Thousands of sick people are going without today and that is wrong." [continues 282 words]
OTTAWA - Health Minister Jane Philpott stood before the United Nations last month and solemnly vowed that, by the spring of next year, marijuana use would be legal and tightly regulated in Canada. Notably, she said: " We know it is impossible to arrest our way out of this problem." And yet, if the next year is like any other recent year, as many 60,000 Canadians will be arrested for simple pot possession and, of those, about 22,000 will end up with criminal records. [continues 494 words]
U.S. President Barack Obama recently used the twilight of his tenure to again grant clemency to almost 60 non-violent drug offenders. With those commutations, Obama has now reduced the sentences of 300 federal prisoners in order to secure their release, more than the last six presidents combined. He has been more reluctant, however, in dishing out the full Monty, as in outright pardons of crimes committed, which is a powerful right granted to all U.S. presidents. According to the Wall Street Journal, Obama has pardoned just 70 individuals during his almost eight years in the Oval Office, well below the number of pardons granted by the most recent presidents. [continues 477 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]
Alcohol consumption, gaming habits explored AS the Trudeau government wrestles with keeping its promise to legalize marijuana use, a new poll shows one in five Manitobans indulges in pot smoking. The Forum Research poll found Manitobans like booze and aren't into casino-style gambling, while a low percentage use pot. The random sampling of 1,140 Manitoba residents found 76 per cent had consumed alcohol in the past year, 53 per cent had gambled and 18 per cent had used marijuana. [continues 669 words]
By this time next year, weed will be well on its way to becoming a legal in Canada. Next spring, the Trudeau government intends to introduce legislation that will effectively legalize the production, distribution and sale of marijuana and other cannabis products and eliminate penalties for possession. Precisely what that involves will depend on regulations that may take longer to put in place - whatever Ottawa decides will require Canadian provinces and municipalities to make changes of their own. Right now, the status of weed sits in a sort of limbo as law enforcement agencies, governments and potential entrepreneurs watch and wait to see what precisely winds up being proposed by federal Health Minister Jane Philpott and parliamentary justice secretary Bill Blair, the former Toronto police chief. [continues 1549 words]
ENTREPRENEURS planning retail marijuana operations will not yet get direction from city hall. A civic committee Tuesday supported an administrative recommendation not to prepare a report examining how retail marijuana operators can be regulated - despite a November directive from council to do so. The proposal had been a suggestion from Coun. Ross Eadie, who said the city should be proactive in regulating where sellers can operate in anticipation of the federal government either legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana. Eadie said without regulations in place, marijuana retailers would be able to set up adjacent to schools - which he opposes. [continues 209 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]
POT advocates called for marijuana legalization at Wednesday's 4/20 festivities, but it could be the last time they have to. A group of weed smokers clouded up downtown and gathered at the Manitoba legislature to celebrate the herb. The usual premise of 4/20 is to encourage politicians to look into either legalizing or decriminalizing the drug, but now that Justin Trudeau is prime minister, that could change. Marijuana legalization and regulation was one of the Liberal government's big promises before the federal election last October. On Wednesday, Health Minister Jane Philpott told the United Nations legislation could be introduced as early as next spring in Canada. [continues 387 words]
Police did not breach the rights of a Winnipeg man when they ignored his protests, burst into his home without a warrant and found a marijuana grow operation inside, a judge has ruled. Edward Garbacz was seeking to have all of the evidence against him dismissed, claiming police had no right to enter his property in June 2013. But Queen's Bench Justice Karen Simonsen ruled Monday that officers acted properly given the unique circumstances surrounding this case. It all began with an anonymous 911 call that came into police around midnight. A man said his "neighbour was beating up his wife" and then quickly hung up after providing the address. No other details were given. The call was made from a payphone that was almost two kilometres away from the scene of the alleged crime. [continues 426 words]
Policy Infrastructure Needs to Be in Place Before Full Legalization Since Justin Trudeau's election there has been mounting pressure to see fulfilled his promise to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. Although the criminalization of marijuana has had more negative consequences than benefits, we still need to be mindful of the various legislative implications that full legalization would have. As it stands now, in Canada it is legal to purchase and consume marijuana with a prescription, but it remains illegal and a criminal offense to do so without the proper paperwork. [continues 700 words]
It's difficult to understand why our prime minister continues to let anyone be criminally charged and convicted for possession of marijuana - a substance he thinks should be legal. A substance he has smoked. As we learned years ago, Trudeau smoked marijuana in the time since being elected MP. Some Conservatives tried to make a big deal of it. But most Canadians gave the story a pass. Back then, Trudeau and the Liberals voted with the Conservatives to set mandatory minimum sentences for marijuana possession. It was a terrible decision. But it was a Liberal caucus decision. And Trudeau was not leader yet. So Trudeau can again get a pass. [continues 488 words]
Says marijuana should be sold in stand-alone stores IT has been a year since CEO John Stinson advised the board of Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, which had just hired him, that legalized pot was coming, and the Crown corporation better be prepared for it. And now it's been a week since Stinson visited Denver to get the lowdown on Colorado's legalized marijuana high. Which is how the CEO of our pot supplier-designate came to offer a one-on-one briefing about the surprise he got on the trip. [continues 791 words]
Plans to file complaint regarding incident at Winnipeg airport A NORTHERN Manitoba chief says he was accused of carrying marijuana Saturday at the Richardson International Airport when a security guard aggressively confronted him about a sacred medicine pouch he wears around his neck. In a peculiar twist to the incident, the guard walked off in an apparent huff when two other security guards tried to intervene and calm the situation down, leaving Pukatawagan's Mathias Colomb Chief Arlen Dumas and his companions speechless at the security screening area where passengers must pass through metal detectors or scanners and have their belongings X-rayed for safety before boarding a flight. [continues 707 words]
Users now allowed to raise pot for own consumption WINNIPEG medical-marijuana patients hailed a federal court ruling that struck down "arbitrary and overbroad" legislation from the former Conservative government banning Canadian medical pot users from growing their own weed. And the one company in Winnipeg with a federal licence to supply medical marijuana indicated the ruling won't affect it, at least not in the short term. The city's most vocal advocate for medical-marijuana rights said even without knowing whether Ottawa will appeal the ruling, he couldn't contain his delight. [continues 741 words]
Legal Weed Should Bring Mellow to the Masses, Turn Criminal Profits to Ash AS counterintuitive as it sounds, legal marijuana will probably result in some Canadians getting a lot less high. In the 1980s, marijuana tended to be about three per cent tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the plant's primary psychoactive ingredient and the substance largely responsible for making marijuana users feel stoned. These days, the average THC content of marijuana is more like 12 per cent, and samples seized by law-enforcement agencies have tested as high (sorry) as 24 per cent. [continues 676 words]
MARIJUANA and fitness - common sense suggests one doesn't go well with the other. The stereotype of the lazy stoner who makes late-night pilgrimages for junk food doesn't mesh with someone who spends spare time lifting weights or goes on early morning jogs. But some users who have taken a hit before lifting weights say there are benefits. "Weed was a great help for me when I was just starting off weight training, running and cycling. For one, it really takes the edge of the soreness," says Martin, who doesn't want his last name published. [continues 866 words]
Re: "Rolling in dough," Jan. 29. It's true, since Colorado completely re-legalized cannabis (marijuana), treating it like the relatively safe God-given plant that it is, the state has reaped huge taxes. But Canada shouldn't cleanse itself from cannabis prohibition to profit, but rather to end one of North America's worst policy failures because it's the right thing to do. The Luciferous practice of caging humans for using what God indicates He created and says is good on literally the very first page of the Bible is vulgar for developed nations. The sooner the devil law ends, the sooner the sky will stop falling in. Stan White Dillon, Colo. ("Luciferous" means "enlightening.") [end]
As Colorado has proven, re-legalizing cannabis (marijuana) makes money for governments, though at the expense of law enforcement agencies and their unions, which have been cannibalizing citizens, especially minorities, long enough. It's easier to understand conservative's staunch support for cannabis prohibition when realizing how much they have invested in it and all the things they have invested in, which compete against the plant cannabis. But don't just re-legalize the relatively safe, extremely popular God-given plant because it's a moneymaker; do it because it's the right thing to do. Forcing the government to regulate cannabis is better than forcing the black market to do it. The money changes hands either way. By Stan White [end]
That's because addiction is often an adaption to your environment. If there is one thing I have learned over the last 20 years of working with homeless populations it's that the way we look at addiction is often wrong. Let me explain. When I was first starting my career as a chaplain, if you would have asked me what causes alcohol addiction I would have told you "it's very simple: alcohol causes alcohol addiction." I don't think that anymore - not about alcohol, not about cocaine, not about prescription pills, not about any drug. [continues 464 words]
He wanted to turn back time and find a way to undo the sins of his past. But the Manitoba Court of Appeal has rejected a former Winnipeg man's bid to reopen his drug conviction - saying almost two decades is too long to have waited to make a move. Curtis Fraser pleaded guilty in March 1991 to possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking. He received a federal penitentiary sentence, then moved to the United States following his release. [continues 271 words]
Despite Conservative Opposition, Marijuana Legalization Agrees With the Party's Economic Principles As a result of the recent federal election, the topic of legal and regulated marijuana has gone from a far-flung possibility to a nearly immediate reality for Canadians. Legalization became a hot issue for Canadians the moment Justin Trudeau promised his Liberal government would work to do it "right away" if elected. This declaration would be reiterated by Trudeau throughout his campaign, as the candidate adopted an unabashedly pro-legalization stance. Canada's Conservative party and its leader at the time - former prime minister Stephen Harper - were staunch in their opposition to legalizing marijuana, which led to much back-and-forth between Trudeau and Harper on the issue, Harper even going so far as to claim that marijuana is "infinitely worse" than tobacco. [continues 691 words]
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. [continues 609 words]
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. [continues 526 words]
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. [continues 538 words]
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. [continues 574 words]
'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. [continues 590 words]
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. [continues 136 words]
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. [continues 496 words]
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. [continues 872 words]
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. [continues 428 words]
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. [continues 704 words]
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. [continues 649 words]
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." [continues 303 words]
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? [continues 685 words]
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? [continues 623 words]
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. [continues 367 words]
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. [continues 459 words]
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. [continues 283 words]
Inside Manitoba
