Canada is nine months away from legalizing marijuana as police agencies and provinces ask for more time on impaired driving and other enforcement issues. But in Justin Trudeau's world, taking time is not part of the equation. A read of the Liberal government's background documents on cannabis is instructive. Mantra-like, it repeats at every opportunity that Canadian youth - who have among the highest rates of marijuana use in the world - are going to be protected and prevented from smoking dope because legalization will result in stringent regulation, prohibition for kids and a steady diet of educational and awareness campaigns. [continues 618 words]
The Access and Privacy Branch of Saskatchewan's Ministry of Justice is examining concerns around the province's survey on recreational marijuana use after a University of Regina professor identified potential vulnerabilities within the online tool. Marc Spooner, a professor who specializes in qualitative and participatory action research, originally raised concerns about the fact anyone in Canada - and potentially around the globe - can take the survey. He argues the survey is "invalid" as a tool for consultation on public policy in Saskatchewan, as there's no way to determine who has been taking the survey, or if it's been compromised by a form of hacking called "freeping" where an online measure is hijacked by a certain group or viewpoint. [continues 600 words]
The mayor of Saskatchewan's largest municipality wants the provincial government to address vulnerabilities in its recreational marijuana survey after it was determined people across Canada, and potentially around the globe, can participate. The concern was initially raised by Marc Spooner, a University of Regina professor who ran for the NDP in the 2011 federal election, who called the survey "invalid" because there's no way to determine if the responses are from Saskatchewan residents. Spooner, who specializes in qualitative and participatory action research, said the data should not be used to form public policy because it's susceptible to a form of hacking known as "freeping," in which an online measurement effort is hijacked by a specific viewpoint or group. [continues 299 words]
The recent arrest of a man after a call for assistance for a drug overdose (Overdose leads to drug charges, Sept. 6) causes me great concern. As in heart attacks, in such cases survival is dependent on a quick response. Yet unlike other health emergencies, people hesitate to call at an overdose situation. They may fear arrest, loss of child custody, and judgment by others, among other things. The response in this case either a punitive attitude or ignorance on the part of the police. It may not only lead to more overdose deaths, but it will also serve as a deterrent to seeking other services which may identify people as drug users. [continues 117 words]
It will be a "huge challenge" to get Saskatchewan ready for the expected July 1 legalization of marijuana, Attorney General Don Morgan says. "We will have to introduce legislation at some point during the fall session so it can be voted (on) in the spring. So for us to get the information out of the survey, announce to the public 'this is what we're hearing' so that people know this is the consensus we're getting from the province, and then get legislation in and workable, is going to be a real challenge." [continues 378 words]
Re: Ashley Robinson's article (Kids will be able to possess weed under federal marijuanalegislation, Sept. 15): The Government of Canada's position is clear: youth should not have any amount of cannabis. As Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said, under Bill C-45 there will be no legal means for a young person to obtain recreational cannabis. C-45 will also, for the first time, make it a criminal offence to sell cannabis to a minor and create significant penalties for those who engage youth in related offences. [continues 169 words]
Saskatchewan cabinet minister Don Morgan is the latest provincial politician to say he wants marijuana legalization delayed for at least a year. Why? Trudeau promised his government would legalize marijuana two years ago. Ontario has already announced its plans on how it will integrate legal marijuana into its economy. (Is Morgan insinuating Ontario is somehow superior to our province?) The only people who could possibly benefit from a delay in marijuana legalization are the organized crime figures who control most of the market. Why on earth are Saskatchewan politicians defending the interests of organized crime above that of ordinary, law-abiding citizens? Makes you wonder. Gordon Robert Dumont, Prince Albert [end]
Bill C-45 proposes to allow kids aged 12-18 to legally possess marijuana, but experts warn weed is 'very dangerous' for developing brains. As Canadians prepare for a new era of legalized recreational marijuana use next summer, concern is growing about a little-known provision wrapped into the bill that would allow kids as young as 12 to legally possess pot. The professed goal of the federal Liberals' Bill C-45 is to keep marijuana out of the hands of criminals and youth, and to stop criminal records for possession of small amounts of marijuana from following people through their lives. [continues 1042 words]
Bill C-45 proposes youths 12-18 can have up to five grams before facing charges As Canadians prepare for a new era of legalized recreational marijuana use next summer, concern is growing about a little-known provision wrapped into the bill that would allow kids as young as 12 to legally possess pot. The professed goal of the federal Liberals' Bill C-45 is to keep marijuana out of the hands of criminals and youth, and to stop criminal records for possession of small amounts of marijuana from following people through their lives. [continues 921 words]
Province turns to citizens for consultation on how marijuana should be sold in Saskatchewan Love it or hate it, legislation that legalizes pot in Canada is coming. The provincial government launched a survey last week, seeking the public's response to questions ranging from where and how marijuana should be sold, to a minimum age for users, and priorities when it comes to enforcement and education. These are some of the top concerns for users, sellers, legislators, and law enforcement alike. [continues 691 words]
Editor: Saskatchewan Cabinet Minister Don Morgan is the latest provincial politician to say he wants marijuana legalization delayed for at least a year. ............ Why? Trudeau promised his government would legalize marijuana two years ago. Ontario has already announced its plans on how it will integrate legal marijuana into its economy. (Is Morgan insinuating that Ontario is somehow superior to our province?) The only people who could possibly benefit from a delay in marijuana legalization are the organized crime figures who currently control most of the market. Why on earth are Saskatchewan politicians defending the interests of organized crime above that of ordinary, law-abiding citizens? Makes you wonder. Gordon Robert Dumont Prince Albert, Sask [end]
SASKATOON - The provincial government is asking residents for feedback on how it should distribute recreational marijuana. The consultations, which will happen in the form of an online, anonymous survey, were announced the same day the Ontario government rolled out its plan to have a new branch of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario handle its sale of recreational marijuana. The survey will address age limits on cannabis sales, public consumption, cannabis taxation and other issues, including potential retail models, alongside questions about distribution and wholesaling. A news release from the province said information collected through the survey will provide "valuable information to help guide Saskatchewan's ongoing approach to cannabis legalization." [continues 157 words]
No decision yet on whether marijuana sales will be through government outlets Saskatchewan's provincial government wants suggestions from the public on how to regulate recreational marijuana, since legalization appears to be a high priority for the federal government. Residents over the age of 18 are encouraged to take an anonymous survey on the Government of Saskatchewan's website between Sept. 8 and Oct. 6. Provincial attorney general Don Morgan said the federal government's timeline to have a legalized system in place by the end of June 2018 means the provincial government has to act fast. [continues 361 words]
Preparing for the legalization of marijuana nationwide next July, the Government of Saskatchewan is looking to gain public input. The provincial government will be conducting an online consultation survey from Sept. 8 to Oct. 6 with the goal of gauging public opinion on parts of the federal legislation that has been left up to the provinces. "The legalization of cannabis represents a big change," said Don Morgan, justice minister and attorney general. "We want to take the time to listen to and consult with the people of this province to ensure we implement the parts of this legislation that are under our control in a way that works for Saskatchewan." [continues 488 words]
A new online survey allows Saskatchewan residents to weigh in on what the province's marijuana regime should look like Saskatchewan residents can now share their thoughts on who should be able to buy, sell and grow marijuana, with just a few clicks on a government survey. Ottawa plans to legalize marijuana by July of 2018, but is leaving it up to the provinces to design their own regulatory system. The provincial government launched an online survey Friday to solicit public feedback. It's open to any Saskatchewan resident over the age of 18, and is set to run until October 6. [continues 593 words]
Chief says Indigenous people must be given a bigger role in addressing crisis With addictions rates to opioids in First Nations communities above the national average, Isadore Day, chiefs committee chair on health at the Assembly of First Nations, is calling on the federal government to consider a First Nations-specific opioid strategy. The federal government has been working on addressing Canada's opioid crisis over the past year, but Day says Indigenous peoples have not had a big enough role in the discussion. [continues 544 words]
Mayor Dionne says Prince Albert will face costs from marijuana legalization, so the city should get its share of the expected tax revenues Mayor Greg Dionne is joining the chorus of Saskatchewan mayors calling for marijuana revenue to be shared with municipalities. "We know the government is doing this to create revenue," Dionne said. "We believe it's prudent that they share that revenue with us. Because, at the end of the day, who does the enforcement of the laws that they make? Our local police and our local people. So we should be compensated for that." [continues 244 words]
Providing take-home naloxone kits to Saskatchewan federal inmates is a "step in the right direction," addictions expert Dr. Peter Butt said. "Not only is it evidence-based, but it's directed towards the safety of individuals and communities so that we have hopefully fewer opioid overdoses occurring within a population that's already been identified as vulnerable," he said. Naloxone is a drug that can stop an overdose from opioids such as fentanyl, morphine, heroin, methadone and oxycodone. The kits are available in certain pharmacies in Saskatoon, Regina, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Yorkton and Kamsack, according to the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan. [continues 288 words]
The lethal danger of fentanyl is becoming well-known. No one knows precisely how many people die per year in Canada from opioid overdoses. Last year, there were 922 opioid overdose deaths in B.C. alone, and more than 340 overdose deaths in Alberta were specifically from fentanyl. While Saskatchewan numbers are much smaller and their official count is unclear at this point, the drug's lethal toll may well be on the rise in this province as well; it is clearing coming east from the coast and from Alberta. [continues 576 words]
Inside Saskatchewan
