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1 CN SN: PUB LTE: Pot PrincipleThu, 29 Dec 2016
Source:StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Author:Hopkins, Deb Area:Saskatchewan Lines:29 Added:12/30/2016

It is laughable that the federal government is focusing so dutifully on issues around the legalization of marijuana.

Any adult in Canada can walk into virtually any store and buy one of the most deadly products on earth - tobacco. This product is clearly connected with the suffering and death of millions of people each year and yet cigarettes are there for anyone to buy.

Invoking the precautionary principle on pot smoking is laudable, but why don't we use the same approach to the sale of tobacco products, particularly when many people are recipients of second-hand smoke not of their choosing?

Deb Hopkins, Saskatoon

[end]

2CN SN: Column: Legalizing Drugs Could Allow For More ControlThu, 29 Dec 2016
Source:Regina Leader-Post (CN SN) Author:Nelson, Chris Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:12/30/2016

We need to wage war against dope like we did against smoking

Arguing that smoking dope is safer than drinking booze is akin to stating that getting shot in the leg is preferable to taking one in the head.

Yet, that's the argument often used by pro-pot crusaders, as we debate the minutiae about what age should Canadians be allowed to legally buy weed. Well, folks, that bus long ago left the station - kids can already get a hold of dope with little effort.

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3CN SN: Column: Legalizing Drugs Could Allow For More ControlThu, 29 Dec 2016
Source:StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Author:Nelson, Chris Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:12/30/2016

Arguing that smoking dope is safer than drinking booze is akin to stating that getting shot in the leg is preferable to taking one in the head.

Yet, that's the argument often used by pro-pot crusaders, as we debate the minutiae about what age should Canadians be allowed to legally buy weed. Well, folks, that bus long ago left the station - kids can already get a hold of dope with little effort.

Don't get me wrong; let's legalize the stuff. In fact, we should decriminalize every other drug, because the entire campaign to treat addiction as a matter of legality rather than mental health is among the deadliest and costliest exercises society has tried.

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4CN SN: Crystal Meth Fuelling Boost In City's Crime RateSat, 24 Dec 2016
Source:StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Author:Hamilton, Charles Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:12/28/2016

Police chief says intervention, education key to tackling problem

For the first time under Chief Clive Weighill's tenure, crime in Saskatoon is going up. This city has the highest murder rate in the country and thefts and break-ins are spiking. The StarPhoenix sat down with the city's police chief to talk crime and what's next for 2017.

Q The rise of methamphetamine is well documented in Saskatoon. You've said it's a main contributor to the city's crime rate. How are you going to combat it?

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5 CN SN: LTE: Canora Resident Asks, 'is Canada Growing To Pot?'Thu, 22 Dec 2016
Source:Canora Courier, The (CN SN) Author:Powers, Milton Area:Saskatchewan Lines:37 Added:12/25/2016

Our federal government will soon legalize marijuana. I'm not saying it's a good thing or bad thing. It is so prevalent in society something had to be done.

My thoughts on the matter is that if the federal Liberals think that they are going to put these illegal pot-growing operations out of business, they must stay monetarily competitive or better with the underground prices for cannabis. Otherwise, people will not buy in the legal outlets.

If by chance the government does manage to shut down a lot of the illegal growing operations, these people who are making thousands of dollars a day are not going to start flipping hamburgers at your local fast food place. For a lot of them, all they know are drugs and big money. You will see now on our streets in large numbers the drugs that have a more detrimental effect on the people using and, in turn, on society in general.

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6CN SN: Police Blame Crime Wave On OutsidersWed, 21 Dec 2016
Source:Regina Leader-Post (CN SN) Author:Pacholik, Barb Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:12/23/2016

Homicides, shooting linked to groups bringing drugs, guns into Regina

Police believe at least two Regina homicides and a shooting in a crowded restaurant are among the fallout from an increasingly violent threat posed by outsiders bringing guns and drugs into the city.

The Mounties and Regina Police Service joined forces to roll out the unwelcome mat for the unwanted guests, recently concluding a 90-day project targeting drug trafficking as well as the weapons and shootings that accompany the trade. What it revealed is that many of the 60 people arrested on 443 charges, including trafficking, possession of stolen property, and multiple weapons offences, aren't from here. They dropped in from locales such as Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Fort McMurray and Toronto.

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7CN SN: Marijuana Regulations Welcome, Doctor SaysFri, 16 Dec 2016
Source:Regina Leader-Post (CN SN) Author:Adam, Betty Ann Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:12/18/2016

Labelling legalized marijuana products with their levels of two main active ingredients is one of the helpful recommendations released this week by a federal task force on cannabis legalization and regulation, says Saskatoon addictions expert Dr. Peter Butt.

"There's no truth in labelling now because there's no testing," Butt said.

He is concerned that there is no way to ensure cannabis sold for medicinal use contains any of a substance shown to produce the medical benefits marijuana is promoted to address.

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8CN SN: Three Committed To Trial On Trafficking Charges In CompassionFri, 16 Dec 2016
Source:StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Author:McAdam, Bre Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:12/18/2016

Three people involved with a downtown Saskatoon medical marijuana dispensary before it was raided in 2015 have been committed to stand trial on trafficking-related charges.

The preliminary hearing for Mark Phillip Hauk, Lane Anthony Britnell and Jaime Michelle Hagel wrapped up in Saskatoon provincial court on Thursday.

Hauk owned the Saskatchewan Compassion Club, Britnell was an employee, and Hagel was a volunteer. Each faces four charges: one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking marijuana, two counts of trafficking marijuana and one count of possessing proceeds of crime over $5,000.

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9CN SN: Death At Remand Unit Leads To ChangesWed, 07 Dec 2016
Source:Regina Leader-Post (CN SN) Author:Fraser, D. C. Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:12/10/2016

She should have been on medical watch.

The death of a young woman at a Regina remand unit has led to more supervision and medical staff at the facility.

Breanna Kannick, 21, was being held at the White Birch Remand Centre in August 2015 when she died after going into what the Ministry of Justice at the time called "medical distress."

An investigation into that death, according to government officials, has resulted in about $400,000 in added funding to increase nursing staff and pay for a doctor to be on site.

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10 CN SN: Pot Dispensary Owner ChargedWed, 30 Nov 2016
Source:Yorkton This Week (CN SN) Author:Barker, Thom Area:Saskatchewan Lines:91 Added:12/01/2016

Illegal medical marijuana dispensaries are not just for big cities anymore. Earlier this month, RCMP made good on a September 2015 Health Canada warning threatening to shut down Martin Medical Services in Whitewood.

In a raid on the business and home of owner Jerry Martin November 8, police seized undisclosed quantities of marijuana, hash oil and cash along with cellphones, computers and three vehicles. He is charged with trafficking marijuana, possession of marijuana, trafficking cannabis resin, possession of cannabis resin, possession of proceeds of crime, trafficking proceeds of crime and laundering proceeds of crime.

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11 CN SN: PUB LTE: Nurses Urge Change To Opioid PolicyMon, 28 Nov 2016
Source:StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Author:Shellian, Barb Area:Saskatchewan Lines:51 Added:12/01/2016

Canada is experiencing a serious opioid epidemic. While it has only recently made headlines, there has been a growing trend toward misuse and illegal use of opioid prescriptions in the past few years, one that nurses across Canada have seen firsthand.

Whether or not people obtain these drugs by prescription, the difficulty of withdrawal is having a serious impact on our publicly funded health system. The Canadian Nurses Association is therefore pleased with Health Minister Jane Philpott's call for a national strategy to face this crisis.

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12CN SN: Home Invasions A Rising TrendMon, 28 Nov 2016
Source:StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Author:Hamilton, Charles Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:12/01/2016

Police chief blames drug gangs for near doubling of cases

A dramatic spike in home invasions in Saskatoon is contributing to the city's nation-leading crime rate, according to Saskatoon's Police Chief Clive Weighill.

Home invasions where people are home when burglars break in have nearly doubled since 2009. Police say there were 154 home invasion cases in 2009. In 2014 that number spiked to 301 before dipping down to 276 in 2015.

"Since 2009 it's almost doubled. I know that is a scary term when we are talking about home invasions," Weighill said at a police board meeting last Thursday.

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13CN SN: Psychedelic Drugs Have Role To Play In ResearchMon, 21 Nov 2016
Source:StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Author:Modjeski, Morgan Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:11/24/2016

Whether it's LSD or magic mushrooms, psychedelic drugs have long been a point of contention. An upcoming event hopes to educate Saskatoon residents on their medical uses and their potentially research-rich future.

Organized by Erika Dyck, a University of Saskatchewan history professor and the Canada Research Chair in the History of Medicine, the event is called An Evening of Psychedelics and takes place at the Underground Cafe on Nov. 23.

"Over the last few years there's been some real interest in what people are starting to call a psychedelic renaissance, where we're looking at psychedelics for their therapeutic potential today," she said.

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14CN SN: Whitewood Mayor Calls For Clear Pot Laws After Dispensary BustFri, 18 Nov 2016
Source:Regina Leader-Post (CN SN) Author:Fitzpatrick, Brian Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:11/22/2016

The mayor of Whitewood has raised concerns about practices at a marijuana dispensary that had long operated in the town, and called on the federal government to remove the grey areas that exist around the sale of the drug for medical purposes.

Martin Medical Services, owned by Jerry Martin, 45, was raided last Tuesday, with Broadview RCMP seizing a quantity of marijuana as well as cash, cellphones, computers and three vehicles.

Martin's home was raided, as well.

Martin is facing criminal charges for operation of an unlawful marijuana dispensary, including trafficking and possession of marijuana and cannabis resin, possession of the proceeds of crime, trafficking in the proceeds of crime and laundering the proceeds of crime.

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15 CN SN: Fentanyl, Meth Use RisingFri, 18 Nov 2016
Source:Moose Jaw Times-Herald (CN SN) Author:Stodalka, William Area:Saskatchewan Lines:137 Added:11/22/2016

Police are seeing more fentanyl and crystal meth cases in the city and some locals have overdosed on fentanyl, they say.

"Prior to, you know, within the last year, 2016, fentanyl really didn't exist here," said Moose Jaw Police Deputy Chief Cliff Froehlich.

Moose Jaw is now facing the national problem of increased opiate addiction.

On Wednesday, Moose Jaw Police Deputy Chief Cliff Froehlich spoke at the Moose Jaw South Central Drug Strategy luncheon.

Two of the most problematic drugs for local police are crystal meth and fentanyl.

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16 CN SN: Whitewood Marijuana Dispensary Owner ChargedMon, 14 Nov 2016
Source:World-Spectator, The (CN SN) Author:Beutler, Donna Area:Saskatchewan Lines:91 Added:11/15/2016

There was a strong police presence in Whitewood last Thursday when RCMP raided the Lalonde St. home of 45-year-old Whitewood resident Jerry Martin as well as at his business location on 3rd Ave.

Police officers and vehicles were very visible at both locations throughout the day.

According to RCMP, "At approximately 10:20 a.m. on Nov. 8, 2016, Broadview RCMP executed a warrant at both a business and a residence at Whitewood, SK."

As officers stood guard at the Martin Medical Services building downtown, several officers entered Martin's residence and began a search of the main street home, and later at the business location. RCMP seized marijuana, hash oil, cell phones and computers, an undisclosed amount of cash, and three vehicles.

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17CN SN: Pot Dispensary Owner Charged After Two Raids In WhitewoodThu, 10 Nov 2016
Source:Regina Leader-Post (CN SN) Author:Fitzpatrick, Brian Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:11/12/2016

A marijuana dispensary owner has been charged with a range of offences after Broadview RCMP conducted two raids in Whitewood on Tuesday morning.

An RCMP brief said that marijuana and property, including cellphones, computers, cash and three vehicles, were all seized during raids on a business - not named by RCMP but known to be Martin Medical Services on the 600 block of 3rd Ave. in Whitewood - and a private residence.

Jerry Matthew Martin, 45, is charged with offences relating to the "operation of an unlawful marijuana dispensary," RCMP said.

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18 CN SN: New Effort To Pick Up NeedlesSat, 22 Oct 2016
Source:Prince Albert Daily Herald (CN SN) Author:White-Crummey, Arthur Area:Saskatchewan Lines:95 Added:10/24/2016

A new program has started up to help tackle the city's discarded needle problem.

In the realm of tongue-twisting health acronyms, CHANGE is one of the worst offenders.

It stands for Community, Harm Reduction, Needle Pickup, Guidance and Education, and it's the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region's newest strategy to reduce discarded needles in the community.

Formed late this September, the CHANGE team goes to "hotspots" for IV drug use, places where large numbers of discarded syringes tend to litter public places.

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19 CN SN: Health: Where They StandSat, 22 Oct 2016
Source:Prince Albert Daily Herald (CN SN) Author:White-Crummey, Arthur Area:Saskatchewan Lines:187 Added:10/24/2016

In part four of our look at the major issues of the campaign, we asked the mayoral candidates about a new Victoria Hospital and the city's role in the battle against HIV

Healthcare is not a municipal responsibility. But, as Mayor Dionne puts it, the mayor can be a "voice for the residents of Prince Albert," calling on the province to provide the healthcare our city deserves.

Whoever becomes mayor will need to raise that voice.

Prince Albert has just lost its only publicly funded audiologist, and the lack of other specialists is forcing residents to travel to Saskatoon.

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20CN SN: Northern Sask. Region Leads In Per Capita Pot PossessionSat, 15 Oct 2016
Source:Regina Leader-Post (CN SN) Author:Trembath, Sean Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:10/17/2016

A popular area of Northern Saskatchewan's lake country has the dubious distinction of leading Canada in one marijuana statistic.

A Postmedia study of Statistics Canada numbers from more than 1,000 cities, towns and RCMP jurisdictions revealed that the Waskesiu Lake region - which includes the resort town of Waskesiu, Prince Albert National Park, Montreal Lake Cree Nation and other small communities - had the highest per capita rate of marijuana possession charges in the country in 2015.

Randy Kershaw, a member of the Waskesiu town council, said the town itself did not see any visible increase in marijuana use during 2015, stressing that the statistics cover a wide area.

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21CN SN: Vintage Vinyl Celebrates 25 Years As Pot Attitudes ChangeFri, 23 Sep 2016
Source:Regina Leader-Post (CN SN) Author:Robinson, Ashley Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:09/26/2016

Vintage Vinyl and Hemp Emporium is known for a lot of things, notably its history with marijuana.

Dylan and Janelle Baumet's father Pat opened Vintage Vinyl and Hemp Emporium 25 years ago in downtown Regina. The store has remained a family business over the years and sells everything from records to marijuana smoking accessories.

The store has continued to sell accessories for smoking marijuana and has seen society's thoughts toward marijuana change.

"Every year there's just more and more smokers and people are starting to realize that marijuana's good and not bad," Dylan said.

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22CN SN: First Nation Seeks Power To Banish 'Undesirables'Wed, 21 Sep 2016
Source:National Post (Canada) Author:Hamilton, Graeme Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:09/22/2016

A Saskatchewan First Nation seeking to keep its territory free of drug dealers and pedophiles is moving to pass a law allowing it to banish "undesirable people."

Chief Austin Bear of Muskoday First Nation said in an interview this week that the band council will conduct a referendum before the end of October asking members to approve a banishment law that he said will be the first of its kind in Canada.

Muskoday and other Canadian First Nations have in the past used band council resolutions to evict people from their communities, but Bear said such resolutions would not withstand a court challenge. Muskoday's law will fall under a partial self-government regime called the First Nations Land Management Act, which gives signatory bands the power to manage their own lands.

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23CN SN: Column: Why Cancer Patients Will Suffer To ProtectSat, 27 Aug 2016
Source:StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Author:Gifford-Jones, W. Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:08/29/2016

How history repeats itself! Today, politicians are once again ignoring the pain of terminal cancer patients. At the same time they are shooting themselves in the foot by making illogical remarks about pain. This human folly takes me back 37 years.

In January 1979, I wrote a New Year's resolution in this column to petition the government to legalize medical heroin to ease the agony of terminal cancer patients. I knew that heroin had been used in English hospitals for 90 years, so why not have this painkiller available in North America? But rather than being applauded for my compassion, all hell broke loose.

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24CN SN: Marijuana Dispensary Owner Convinced Pot Can Help OthersWed, 17 Aug 2016
Source:Regina Leader-Post (CN SN) Author:Cowan, Pamela Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:08/22/2016

Kelly Csada opened a medical marijuana dispensary in Regina on Monday to help people like herself.

Since 1990, Csada has suffered from Crohn's disease. Over the years, she has had 18 feet of her small intestine removed, five bowel resections and been prescribed numerous potent medications, including fentanyl, OxyContin and morphine.

In researching alternatives to narcotics, she learned about Phoenix tears oil - a concentrated form of the cannabis plant.

"I couldn't find it and I had people offer to make it for me, but I said, 'No. I put so much medication into my body.' I wanted to make sure that what I was getting was clean and pure.' "

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25 CN SN: LTE: Pot Use Affects Reproductive HealthFri, 12 Aug 2016
Source:StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Author:McColl, Pamela Area:Saskatchewan Lines:34 Added:08/13/2016

Re: Four findings (SP Aug. 8):

Instead of printing American pot propaganda, how about the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix provide Canadians with the scientific truths about the use of pot and the consequences on reproductive health.

Risks demonstrated in the scientific literature pertaining to marijuana product use include generational genetic and chromosomal damage.

Marijuana use can disrupt fetal growth and the development of organs and limbs and may result in mutagenic alterations in DNA. Cannabis has also been associated with fetal abnormalities in many studies including low birth weight, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth spontaneous miscarriage, spina bifida and others.

Men who use marijuana are at risk for testicular cancer, sterility and erectile dysfunction if they smoke marijuana products.

Pamela McColl, Vancouver McColl writes on behalf of the Marijuana Victims' Association

[end]

26CN SN: Prince Albert Police Battling Scourge ofMon, 25 Jul 2016
Source:StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Author:Hill, Andrea Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:07/26/2016

Crystal meth use in Prince Albert is "out of control" and the situation could worsen in the next year, says a police officer who heads the city's crystal meth intervention program.

"We're so far behind it, we just need to get some kind of a grip on it," said Prince Albert Police Sgt. Troy Dumont.

"I go through the calls every day and I see more of it, more just basic calls when meth is kind of involved .... People are acting different, you can just tell. It is on the rise and we need to do something about it."

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27CN SN: Police Backing Off On Pot PossessionFri, 22 Jul 2016
Source:StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Author:Hamilton, Charles Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:07/23/2016

Saskatoon's police chief says police forces across the country are charging fewer and fewer people with marijuana possession as legalization of recreational use looms.

"Police right across Canada, I think, started to back off on the charges for minor possession," Chief Clive Weighill said earlier this week.

After a spike in possession charges in 2013, Saskatoon has seen a steady decline in the number of people charged with possession: the number dropped by 27 per cent between 2013 and 2014, then by 10 per cent from 2014 to 2015, according to Statistics Canada data. This year, however, pot possession charges have remained nearly the same as last year. As of this week, slightly more than 190 people have been charged so far in 2016, according to data from city police.

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28CN SN: Crystal Meth Fuels Rise In CrimeFri, 22 Jul 2016
Source:StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Author:Hamilton, Charles Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:07/23/2016

Addictive Drug Partially to Blame for Increase, Says Police Chief

An influx of crystal meth in Saskatoon is helping fuel the city's crime problem, according to police chief Clive Weighill.

"It's driving a lot of our property crime, our break and enters our thefts," he said.

Saskatoon again has the worst crime rate in the country and Weighill said the deadly and highly addictive drug is partially to blame.

Last year, Saskatoon police laid 108 charges for crystal meth possession - double the 54 laid in 2014 and the 22 laid in 2013.

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29CN SN: Column: Teens Need Tough Talk On Drugs And WienersWed, 13 Jul 2016
Source:Regina Leader-Post (CN SN) Author:Dumont, Dawn Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:07/14/2016

My nieces and nephews are getting to the age where kids experiment with drugs and it's scary. How do you discourage them when movies and TV make it all look so interesting and fun? Damn you to hell, Seth Rogen!

I am especially at a loss because I've never understood drugs in the first place. I was not a drug user for a few reasons, the first being absolute fear. My mom did a great job of cobbling together every terrible drug story she'd ever heard and regaling us with them as we ate our beans and wieners at the dinner table: "This boy, he did 'The Pot' one time and he got real high and then he put the cat in the oven cuz he thought it was a turkey." Such stories made me fearful both of drugs and of wieners.

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30CN SN: Column: Teens Need Tough Talk On Drugs And WeinersTue, 12 Jul 2016
Source:StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Author:Dumont, Dawn Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:07/14/2016

My nieces and nephews are getting to the age where kids experiment with drugs and it's scary. How do you discourage them when movies and TV make it all look so interesting and fun? Damn you to hell, Seth Rogen!

I am especially at a loss because I've never understood drugs in the first place. I was not a drug user for a few reasons - the first of which was absolute fear. My mom did a great job of cobbling together every terrible drug story she'd ever heard and regaling us with them as we ate our beans and wieners at the dinner table: "This boy, he did 'The Pot' one time and he got real high and then he put the cat in the oven cuz he thought it was a turkey." Such stories made me fearful both of drugs and of wieners.

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31CN SN: U Of S Prof Named To Federal Panel On Legalizing PotSat, 02 Jul 2016
Source:StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Author:Hamilton, Charles Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:07/05/2016

Group to consult with provincial, municipal leaders about regulations

A Saskatchewan law professor will be one of the people deciding how pot will become legalized in Canada.

The federal government is launching a task force to study the legalization and regulation of marijuana, after committing to introduce legislation on the legalization of pot in the spring of 2017.

University of Saskatchewan law professor Barbara von Tigerstrom is among the people the government has tapped to help guide that process.

"It's a daunting challenge but a really important one," von Tigerstrom said after the task force was unveiled.

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32CN SN: Future Legalization Of Pot A Factor In RulingFri, 24 Jun 2016
Source:StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Author:Modjeski, Morgan Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:06/28/2016

No jail time for former Huskie Neary after 21 pounds of marijuana seized

Former University of Saskatchewan football linebacker Seamus John Neary gave an audible sigh of relief when Queen's Bench Justice Shawn Smith sentenced him to two years of probation, but no jail time.

Neary, 25, was convicted in November of trafficking marijuana and possessing the proceeds of crime, after 21 pounds of marijuana and $1,000 in cash were seized during an investigation in February 2014.

Smith noted the Court of Appeal has ruled sentences of 15 to 18 months in jail are appropriate for marijuana trafficking involving amounts similar to Neary's case, but said the fact Canada is in a transition period with the federal government promising to legalize marijuana was a factor in his ruling.

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33CN SN: Trauma Root Cause Of Addiction, Doctor SaysThu, 23 Jun 2016
Source:Regina Leader-Post (CN SN) Author:Robinson, Ashley Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:06/28/2016

Trauma is at the nature of addiction, according to Dr. Gabor Mate.

"Addiction is only a symptom, it's not the fundamental problem. The fundamental problem is trauma," said Mate.

Mate was in Regina on Wednesday to speak at the sixth International Training Symposium on Innovative Approaches to Justice: Where Justice and Treatment Meet.

The conference started Tuesday and runs until Friday at the Hotel Saskatchewan. Judges, lawyers, counsellors and professionals who work in treatment courts from across the country are in attendance, along with a handful of people from the United States. The conference is held every two years, with the last one being held in Vancouver.

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34 CN SN: Column: How To Cure 42,000 Addicts QuicklyTue, 07 Jun 2016
Source:Prince Albert Daily Herald (CN SN) Author:Jones, Gifford Area:Saskatchewan Lines:96 Added:06/08/2016

How could this medical and social disaster ever be allowed to happen? If authorities had told me that Ontario, just one Canadian province, was treating 400 addicts in methadone clinics, I'd believe them. But, the actual number is 42,000. But how many of these addicts need methadone? And what is the solution for this madness?

Dr. Theodore Dalrymple, is not an arm-chair commentator on addiction. Rather, he's an internationally renowned expert, a British psychiatrist, and prison doctor who has treated thousands of addicts over years.

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35CN SN: Column: 'High Driving' Hysteria Is All Half-BakedFri, 03 Jun 2016
Source:StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Author:Booth, David Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:06/06/2016

Marijuana, by most measures, is not the scourge that alcohol is, writes

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.

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36CN SN: Column: 'High Driving' Hysteria Is All Half-BakedFri, 03 Jun 2016
Source:Regina Leader-Post (CN SN) Author:Booth, David Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:06/05/2016

Marijuana, by most measures, is not the scourge that alcohol is, writes David Booth.

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.

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37CN SN: Possible Pot Legalization Used As Argument Against JailWed, 01 Jun 2016
Source:StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Author:Spray, Hannah Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:06/02/2016

With changes to marijuana laws on the horizon, a former star athlete's lawyers argue that sending him to jail for marijuana trafficking would shock the community and violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Seamus John Neary, 25, was in Saskatoon Court of Queen's Bench Tuesday for sentencing arguments after he was found guilty of trafficking 9.5 kilograms of marijuana. The crime does not carry a mandatory minimum, but federal law changes in 2012 removed the option of a conditional sentence order, or jail sentence served in the community, for trafficking more than three kilograms of pot.

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38CN SN: Pot Dealer Uses Legalization Promise To Argue AgainstWed, 01 Jun 2016
Source:Regina Leader-Post (CN SN) Author:Spray, Hannah Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:06/02/2016

With changes to marijuana laws on the horizon, a former star athlete's lawyers argue that sending him to jail for marijuana trafficking would shock the community and violate the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Seamus John Neary, 25, was in Saskatoon Court of Queen's Bench Tuesday for sentencing arguments after he was found guilty of trafficking 9.5 kilograms of marijuana. The crime does not carry a mandatory minimum, but federal law changes in 2012 removed the option of a conditional sentence order, or jail sentence served in the community, for trafficking more than three kilograms of pot.

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39CN SN: Policing Pot And Public SafetyThu, 26 May 2016
Source:Regina Leader-Post (CN SN) Author:Fraser, D. C. Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:05/27/2016

Province to Provide Input on Roadside Testing Ahead of Legalization

Premier Brad Wall wants to know more about driver safety and marijuana.

With the federal government planning to have legalization legislation next spring, the province is putting together a team to study what impact that could have on Saskatchewan roads.

The Justice, Corrections and Policing and SGI ministers will all examine the issue before reporting their findings to a federal task force focusing on regulatory issues surrounding marijuana.

"We want to make sure we're part of the process recommending some things back to the federal government, in terms of keeping our roads safe, in terms of public safety issues that may arise from marijuana legalization and normalization, to the extent that will happen," said Wall.

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40CN SN: Wall Wants Details About High DrivingThu, 26 May 2016
Source:StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Author:Fraser, D. C. Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:05/27/2016

Province Plans to Offer Input on Federal Roadside Testing Legalization

Premier Brad Wall wants to know more about driver safety and marijuana.

With the federal government planning to have legalization legislation next spring, the province is putting together a team to study what impact that could have on Saskatchewan roads.

The Justice, Corrections and Policing and SGI ministers will all examine the issue before reporting their findings to a federal task force focusing on regulatory issues surrounding marijuana.

"We want to make sure we're part of the process recommending some things back to the federal government, in terms of keeping our roads safe, in terms of public safety issues that may arise from marijuana legalization and normalization, to the extent that will happen," said Wall.

[continues 306 words]

41 CN SN: Editorial: Salute To Fighting The Good FightFri, 20 May 2016
Source:Moose Jaw Times-Herald (CN SN)          Area:Saskatchewan Lines:64 Added:05/21/2016

There was a day where the fight against marijuana was considered crucial to the health of our nation and most people were on the same page. Pass on grass was a common sentiment.

Now, as we are well into the 21st century, attitudes have changed dramatically, and recreational marijuana use is more socially acceptable than it has ever been. In more and more jurisdictions in North America, the use of pot has been or soon will be legalized, or decriminalized, and that includes right here in Canada.

[continues 374 words]

42CN SN: Realtors Want Registry Of Grow-Ops, Meth LabsTue, 17 May 2016
Source:StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Author:MacPherson, Alex Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:05/20/2016

Contamination in houses used to produce illegal drugs can easily be overlooked during routine inspections, which is why the province needs a comprehensive registry of former marijuana grow-ops and methamphetamine labs, according to the Association of Saskatchewan Realtors (ASR).

"The information's available (to police), and we think it should be made available to our members and to potential buyers, so they're able to make an informed decision when they look to buy a house," ASR CEO Bill Madder said.

[continues 553 words]

43CN SN: OPED: Marijuana Policy For Canada's Veterans UnclearFri, 06 May 2016
Source:StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Author:Richert, Lucas Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:05/11/2016

There are discrepancies about safe dosages, its use in treating PTSD

Auditor general Michael Ferguson has raised important questions about the increasing use of medical marijuana by Canadian military veterans.

As authorities contemplate enforcement actions and zoning bylaws relevant to marijuana dispensaries, and the federal Liberal government prepares for legalization in 2017, Ferguson is urging the Department of Veterans Affairs to address the amount of medical cannabis being prescribed to veterans. He found the quantity prescribed was "poorly documented" and not always evidence-based.

[continues 433 words]

44 CN SN: A Direct Discussion About DrugsMon, 09 May 2016
Source:Prince Albert Daily Herald (CN SN) Author:Clarke, Tyler Area:Saskatchewan Lines:99 Added:05/10/2016

Saskatoon Police Service Cst. Matt Ingrouille Headed A Blunt Conversation About Drugs On Saturday

Last year saw then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper declare; "Marijuana is infinitely worse" than tobacco.

At the time, he cited nonexistent "overwhelming and growing scientific and medical evidence" that he said would support his claim.

Those educated on the subject toned him out, just as they've toned out certain anti-drug messages whose purported "facts" don't align with reality.

It's this kind of condescension that Saskatoon Police Service Cst. Matt Ingrouille avoided during a direct conversation about drugs and addiction with a Prince Albert audience on Saturday.

[continues 550 words]

45 CN SN: Sparking The Marijuana DebateWed, 04 May 2016
Source:Prince Albert Daily Herald (CN SN) Author:Clarke, Tyler Area:Saskatchewan Lines:87 Added:05/05/2016

Pending final approval from Health Canada, Mark McCaul plans to sell medical marijuana in downtown Prince Albert as soon as possible.

His intent is to expand his "unorthodox medicinal supply shop," The Hum (62 13th St. W.), into the property next-door once all of his legal ducks are in a row.

But first, he has some misconceptions to dispel; an effort he's been striving to accomplish through his own actions as a medical marijuana advocate.

Surrounded by bongs and other paraphernalia associated with marijuana in his shop, McCaul admits that a common assumption is that he's some "major stoner."

[continues 397 words]

46 CN SN: An Argument For LegalizationThu, 21 Apr 2016
Source:Moose Jaw Times-Herald (CN SN) Author:Simon-Worobec, Theresa Area:Saskatchewan Lines:68 Added:04/24/2016

Local Marijuana Advocates React To The Announce Of Now Pot Laws Next Spring

It's the most wonderful time, literally, of the year for marijuana users across Canada.

This year's 4/20 (April 20) is extra special for marijuana users across country since federal Health Minister Jane Philpott announced earlier in the day that the federal government plans to begin marijuana legalization by next spring.

"I think it's about time," said Brent Bekter, owner and operator of Watch Tower Glass at 420 High St. "I think if they do it with etiquette and intelligence, it should work out for everyone."

[continues 339 words]

47CN SN: Pot May Curb Alcohol Abuse In P.A., Says ReportThu, 14 Apr 2016
Source:Regina Leader-Post (CN SN) Author:Hamilton, Charles Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:04/19/2016

Some Prince Albert city councillors are balking at a suggestion that legalized pot could help reduce binge drinking in the city.

The city released it's "alcohol strategy" this week, a culmination of years of work to document and offer ways to combat problems with underage and binge drinking.

However, some are taken aback by the report's suggestion that legalized pot could help curb chronic alcohol abuse.

"I personally have concerns," Coun. Rick Orr said. "I think it's another one of the items that we have to deal with from a community addictions point of view."

[continues 455 words]

48CN SN: Editorial: Injection Site Worth ExploringThu, 14 Apr 2016
Source:StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)          Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:04/19/2016

In a province that has led Canada since 2010 in the rate of HIV infections and in a city where researchers describe intravenous drug use as an "epidemic," the call by Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) Chief Felix Thomas to investigate the value of establishing a safe injection site is a highly sensible idea.

It's time to put to rest the knee-jerk, anti-science attitude of the former federal Conservative government, which ignored credible data on the lives saved and harm reduced by Vancouver's Insite facility, and seriously explore whether Saskatoon might benefit from a similar service.

[continues 359 words]

49CN SN: Pot May Curb Alcohol Abuse In P.A., Report IndicatesThu, 14 Apr 2016
Source:StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Author:Hamilton, Charles Area:Saskatchewan Lines:Excerpt Added:04/15/2016

Some Prince Albert city councillors are balking at a suggestion that legalized pot could help reduce binge drinking in the city.

The city released its "alcohol strategy" this week, a culmination of years of work to document and offer ways to combat problems with underage and binge drinking.

However, some are taken aback by the report's suggestion that legalized pot could help curb chronic alcohol abuse.

"I personally have concerns," Coun. Rick Orr said. "I think it's another one of the items that we have to deal with from a community addictions point of view."

[continues 456 words]

50 CN SN: Legalization And LiberalsThu, 14 Apr 2016
Source:Planet S (CN SN) Author:Beatty, Gregory Area:Saskatchewan Lines:237 Added:04/14/2016

Trudeau promised to make marijuana legal. Where's that at?

Instead of "Hump Day" on April 20, thousands of Canadians will celebrate "Hemp Day" through the annual 4/20 protest against pot prohibition. With the Trudeau Liberals committed to legalizing cannabis, spirits should be high.

But the fact remains that unless you're a licensed medical user, if you possess or share marijuana at the protest, you're breaking the law.

Bill Blair, the former Toronto police chief who's the government's point man on the file as parliamentary secretary to Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould, made that crystal clear in a recent CBC interview.

[continues 1689 words]


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