One of Ottawa's 17 illegal pot shops has been forcibly closed. A bailiff arrived at the CannaGreen dispensary on Roydon Place Wednesday to enforce an eviction order. The shop had continued operating after an eviction notice was posted on the door Tuesday and the locks were changed. Ottawa police were on hand to help bailiff Doug Specht. A man inside the store was led out in handcuffs. Police said a man was arrested for trespassing, but no charges have been laid. [continues 142 words]
It's possible, even likely, that at some point next year, Ontarians will be able to search store shelves for 'purple haze', 'blue dream' and 'kosher kush' marijuana alongside their VQA merlots, sauvignon blancs and moscatos. Work is well underway to lay the foundation for marijuana legalization in this country, with legislation expected in the spring. Pot advocates have long argued legalization could give our economy a lift. A new report suggests that lift could surpass anyone's wildest prophecy. A study produced by the Deloitte firm - titled Recreational Marijuana: Insights and Opportunities - suggests a legal marijuana industry in Canada could be worth an incredible $22.6 billion - more than the sales of wine, spirits and beer combined. [continues 210 words]
Shopper's Drug Mart is seriously interested in becoming the dispenser of medical marijuana. The government will be considering appropriate locations to deliver this product. We all know that Shopper's is well known as a drug dispensing business and makes millions of dollars annually. They see this as a new opportunity for increasing their profits and there is no doubt that it will. While our hospitals are continually struggling to provide health care to our citizens, the government is continuing to cut back its support. We have a wonderful health care system and should be proud of it. [continues 128 words]
At one time in Canada, marijuana possession and or trafficking was punishable by a jail sentence or even deportation. But soon, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will live up to his promise to legalize marijuana consumption and possession. However, Daniel Leblanc organized a poll through theglobeandmail.com, that states nearly half of Canadians still don't support the legalization of the drug. Despite the support, weed will become legal, so the last thing to do is address the last percentage of unsure Canadians that this is the right choice. [continues 646 words]
Re: How many really want legal pot? Oct. 27. Brian Hutchinson asks all the wrong questions. The big question, after almost five decades of prohibition, incomprehensibly still remains: How many really want illegal pot? Who are these people who still support criminal records for cannabis consumers? Government is allowing an artificial fight over retail economic monopolies while people continue to earn criminal records over a plant that no reasonable person believes to be a criminal threat. If legalization can't happen easily, then criminal consequences must be suspended until we come to a consensus. Paul Hansen, Ottawa [end]
Because medical marijuana saved my life, says user Kristina Simpson Kristina Simpson says she feels lucky to have landed a job at a Bank Street store where the staff feel like family and customers are grateful for the products she sells. But when she steps behind the counter at Weeds Glass & Gifts each morning, she brushes aside a nagging fear: Will this be the day police arrive to arrest her for drug trafficking? It's an occupational hazard for employees at the city's 17 illegal marijuana dispensaries. [continues 1097 words]
Ottawa police and municipal authorities are getting creative in dealing with our budding but illegal marijuana dispensaries. But you do wonder if the use of imaginative enforcement techniques is born of a lack of courage. The police have refused to raid the retail outlets, which now number 17, but have spent a substantial amount of time "monitoring" their activities. (During a record year for shootings, by the way.) As we've learned in the terrific reporting of Citizen writer Jacquie Miller, the Ottawa police sent letters to 13 dispensary landlords warning them of possible police action or even property forfeiture if they allow illegal sales to continue. [continues 644 words]
Two dispensaries charged with zoning violations Magna Terra Health Services in Stittsville was hit with a zoning violation notice from bylaw officers. Ottawa bylaw officers are the latest authorities to take a swat at the pot shops popping up around town. Two dispensaries have received notices of zoning violations for operating "retail stores" in industrial zones. City inspectors are also investigating the take-out window in a boarded-up pot shop to see if the operation violates the building code. It adds another piece to the puzzle over what to do about the 17 illegal dispensaries in town. [continues 470 words]
Ottawa Police send warning letter Ottawa police have warned landlords renting space to illegal marijuana dispensaries that the businesses may face police action and the properties could even be seized. Letters have been served on 13 dispensary landlords warning them of the consequences of allowing unlawful activities on their properties, said Staff Sgt. Rick Carey of the drug unit. "If your property continues to represent a threat to the health, safety and security of the community, the Ottawa Police Service will take action as authorized by the Criminal Code, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and any other provincial statutes available," the letter says. [continues 544 words]
Ottawa police have warned the landlords renting space to illegal marijuana dispensaries that the businesses may face police action and the properties could even be seized. Letters have been served on 13 dispensary landlords warning them of the consequences of allowing unlawful activities on their properties, said Staff Sgt. Rick Carey of the drug unit. "If your property continues to represent a threat to the health, safety and security of the community, the Ottawa Police Service will take action as authorized by the Criminal Code, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and any other provincial statutes available," the letter says. [continues 1476 words]
Inmates already facing drug charges: police Body scanner technology is up and running at the Barton Jail, as part of the province's efforts to combat smuggling. More than 1,750 Hamilton Wentworth Detention Centre (HWDC) inmates have gone through the scanner since it was activated on Sept. 6, according to the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. "Three positive body scans have resulted in criminal charges for three HWDC inmates by the Hamilton Police Service," ministry spokesperson Andrew Morrison said in an email. [continues 612 words]
Richard Bergman used to investigate people in B.C. for marijuana grow-ops and possession of pot as a sergeant in the RCMP, but now the retired officer is fighting the of war on drugs as a civilian and concerned parent in suburban Ottawa. He pleaded with Chief Charles Bordeleau at the police services board meeting Thursday to crack down on illegal marijuana dispensaries, especially the two that have popped up in his Orleans neighbourhood, one of which is steps away from a kids' tutoring centre and a martial arts club. [continues 317 words]
Modern medicine has evolved greatly over the years in treating cancer and other illnesses. We have radiation and chemotherapy to reduce tumour growths, we have opioids to decrease pain and there are a number of over the counter drugs we can buy when we're feeling under the weather. But what about using marijuana in treatments for life threatening diseases and other life-altering ailments? It's not talked about very openly, in fact many who use cannabis oil tend to keep it under wraps, said Don Keith, a medical marijuana license holder in Petrolia. That's why he has planned a discussion group at the Petrolia library on Friday, Oct. 28, to offer support and a safe place to talk about using medical marijuana without ridicule or judgment. [continues 911 words]
The popularity of cocaine with 18 to 25 year olds in Huron County is growing, said Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Detective Constable Max Miller of the Huron County Drug Office, Community Drug Action Team. All street drugs are present in Huron Count y , but cocaine is becoming more popular with this demographic because it is seen as a party drug that has fewer negative side effects than methamphetamine, the detective said during a public forum the night of Oct. 19. "It's hard for us to combat cocaine usage because you can be a functioning addict but hold down a 9-to-5 job. So it's hard for us to kind of get into the cocaine scene because it's not like methamphetamine where people are doing anything they have to to get it," he said. [continues 789 words]
Bylaws used against dispensaries When it comes to shutting down marijuana dispensaries, Mark Sraga admits it's a bit like playing whack-a-mole. "It's still an ongoing challenge," said Sraga, director of investigative services for the City of Toronto. "Dispensaries open, dispensaries close." But his officers are seeing "better success" as they use city bylaws against illegal pot shops, he added. When the city began its crackdown in May - as the big green leaf signifying cannabis began frequently popping up on storefronts around the city - there were 48 stores open. [continues 286 words]
Marc Emery tackles hot pot topics Marc Emery may be the Prince of Pot, but he still harbours serious concerns about a future with legal marijuana. A federal task force on the legalization and regulation of marijuana is expected to report back in November. Legislation is expected in the spring. Arguably one of the most well-known marijuana advocates in the country, Emery says he fears small-time dispensaries and long-time pot advocates will be frozen out once weed is legal. [continues 378 words]
Marc Emery may be the Prince of Pot, but he still harbours serious concerns about a future with legal marijuana. A federal task force on the legalization and regulation of marijuana is expected to report back in November. Legislation is expected in the spring. Arguably one of the most well-known marijuana advocates in the country, Emery says he fears small-time dispensaries and longtime pot advocates will be frozen out once weed is legal. His brand of dispensaries - Cannabis Culture - opened at least three stores in Toronto, selling to anyone aged 19 and over. [continues 367 words]
Battling dispensaries like 'whack-a-mole' When it comes to shutting down marijuana dispensaries, Mark Sraga admits it's a bit like playing whack-a-mole. "It's still an ongoing challenge," said Sraga, director of investigative services for the City of Toronto. "Dispensaries open, dispensaries close." But his officers are seeing "better success" as they use city bylaws against illegal pot shops, he added. When the city began its crackdown in May - as the big green leaf signifying cannabis began frequently popping up on storefronts around the city - there were 48 stores open. [continues 290 words]
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has a mandate to legalize pot. He ran on it in last year's election. But as Postmedia's just-completed, six-part series O Cannabis illustrates, it's one thing to promise legalization, another to deliver it. The biggest challenge facing the Liberals is how to regulate and tax the sale of marijuana- an estimated $7 billion-a-year underground business in Canada, that could increase to $10 billion to $20 billion with legalization. The problem is that if the government makes legal pot too expensive, then the black market in it will continue to thrive. [continues 281 words]
Inside Ontario
