This past year has seen massive changes in Saskatchewan's health care landscape. Postmedia reporter Pamela Cowan spoke with Health Minister Jim Reiter about the impact of some of those changes on residents now and in the future. Q When marijuana is legalized in July, are you concerned about increased addiction or drugged driving in the province? A There's been some work done in Justice, work done with the Crowns on the best way we can deal with it, but I'm very concerned about the safety aspect. We're concerned about mental health and addictions right across the piece. It's a priority for us and it will continue to be a priority for us. [continues 739 words]
Re: Rogue nations need not apply (SP, Nov. 18) Pamela McColl's letter is legally correct, but morally and practically wrong. While Canada did sign the various treaties that constitute the worldwide prohibition of drugs, that prohibition has been a spectacular failure. After being banned for 70 years, prohibited drugs are more plentiful, cheaper, and more widely used than ever before. While McColl fears for our children because of the legalization of marijuana, she might look at the jurisdiction that has had the longest history of re-legalized access to marijuana. [continues 142 words]
Clark says municipalities will have extra costs for policing, services Mayor Charlie Clark says cities like Saskatoon will face the toughest financial challenges when marijuana is legalized in six months, and he wants to make sure sufficient resources exist. Clark said he welcomed the news from the federal government this week that 75 per cent of the expected $400 million in revenue from taxes on marijuana will go to the provinces. Now, Clark said he would like a clearer picture from the provincial government on how that will work in terms of funding the municipal response to legalized cannabis. [continues 314 words]
"You've come a long way, baby." This is the famous slogan of the Virginia Slims brand - a long, slim cigarette marketed to women as a sign of the progress of feminism and freedom for their gender. Society has also come a long way in its thinking around the marketing of products like tobacco, and campaigns that make it seem glamorous. We have learned that slick marketing images that ran through previous decades did not just influence adults. The Marlboro Man and images like it captured the imagination of kids, romanticizing smoking for another generation. [continues 351 words]
Tenants hoping to grow legal marijuana plants in their homes might soon have to deal with a new kind of drug enforcement - from their landlords. The province introduced legislation Tuesday to give landlords the right to prohibit the use, sale or growing of marijuana inside rental units. It's only one part of a string of amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act that empower landlords in Saskatchewan. Justice Minister Don Morgan told reporters he doesn't intend for the rules to affect the possession of dried marijuana, but only live plants and smoking. [continues 573 words]
Non-smoking buildings can extend rule to marijuana under new legislation Tenants hoping to grow legal marijuana plants in their homes might soon have to deal with a new kind of drug enforcement - from their landlords. The government introduced legislation Tuesday to give landlords the right to prohibit the use, sale or growing of marijuana inside rental units. It's only one part of a string of amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act that empower landlords in Saskatchewan. Justice Minister Don Morgan told reporters he doesn't intend for the rules to affect the possession of dried marijuana, but only live plants and smoking. [continues 615 words]
Detection tools not available yet The Government of Saskatchewan announced Tuesday that there will be a zero tolerance policy for people who drive while impaired by drugs. Earl Cameron, executive vice president of Auto Fund, said the decision was made after the federal government passed new laws in anticipation of marijuana legalization. "It's because of the three new federal laws, we want to make sure that our administrative sanctions that we have now, for impaired driving, mirror these three new charges," he said. [continues 446 words]
Many unanswered questions remain with regards to forthcoming legislation Reactions are coming in from a number of quarters after the provincial government released the results of its survey on marijuana on Thursday. Specifically, the government asked how cannabis should be sold and regulated once it is legalized in July. Acting deputy mayor and city councillor for the City of Moose Jaw Crystal Froese said it is good the province is reaching out to residents. "I am glad to see that the province is engaging our citizens in a survey," she said. The councillor added that the legalization of marijuana is one that will have a large impact on the city and community and that she was happy to see some of the trends that came to light. One of those questions was about where people should be allowed to light up. [continues 349 words]
Province gauges views in survey Saskatchewan residents believe the legal age of consumption for cannabis should be 19, according to the results of the provincial government's online survey. More than 45 per cent of the 25,974 responses to the question of legal age believe the province should make the legal age of marijuana consumption match the legal age of alcohol consumption in the province, while 27.5 per cent believe the legal age should be 18. Some 18.9 per cent of respondents believe the age should be set at 21 and 7.8 per cent believe the legal age should be over 21. [continues 374 words]
In 2016, the world drug prevention community met at UNGASS in New York to reconfirm their commitment and ratification of the long-standing drug conventions. I was in the General Assembly when the minister of health for the Government of Canada stood to announce Canada's plan to introduce legislation to legalize marijuana in the spring of 2017. I can report that the world was less than pleased. Canada's move to legalization will take our country offside of these global agreements and out of step with our international partners. [continues 158 words]
Saskatchewan Government looking to privatize marijuana Saskatchewan's government is not interested in operating pot shops. Instead, they want to concentrate on regulating the product. "We do not want to be in any ownership or marketing," said Don Morgan, Saskatchewan's Justice Minister. "We want to be responsible for ensuring that there's a regulatory scheme in place and we want to make sure it's a confidently, well-run regulatory scheme, but we don't want to own it, market it or warehouse it ourselves." [continues 555 words]
With 7 1/2 months until marijuana becomes legal in Canada, a group of Saskatchewan researchers hopes to help inform the complicated policy-making process the provincial government faces in the months to come. The Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGS), based at universities in Regina and Saskatoon, has released a report, Legalizing & Regulating Cannabis in Saskatchewan. The provincial government is responsible for setting up all of the details of a legal cannabis industry, and should have most of the work in place by June 30. [continues 379 words]
With 7 1/2 months until marijuana becomes legal in Canada, a group of Saskatchewan researchers hopes to help inform the complicated policy-making process the provincial government faces in the months to come. The Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGS), based at universities in Regina and Saskatoon, has released a report, Legalizing & Regulating Cannabis in Saskatchewan. The provincial government is responsible for setting up all of the details of a legal cannabis industry, and should have most of the work in place by June 30. [continues 607 words]
Marijuana trafficking charges against three people involved in a downtown Saskatoon medical marijuana dispensary that was raided by city police two years ago have been dropped. Instead, the dispensary - the Saskatchewan Compassion Club - pleaded guilty to marijuana trafficking in Saskatoon provincial court on Thursday and agreed to pay a $6,500 fine plus a $1,950 surcharge. "Obviously, I'm relieved and pleased to have the process come to an end and to have justice ultimately served in the proper manner," said Compassion Club owner Mark Hauk. [continues 634 words]
As a province, Saskatchewan is not known to be on the cutting edge as a national trendsetter. When it comes to the opioid crisis, we should be thrilled to be behind the curve. Recent stories about opioid deaths should prompt officials in Saskatchewan to ramp up activities to prevent an increase in deaths here. In Abbotsford, B.C., five people ages 40 to 67 died of overdoses in a nine-hour period on Friday. The two women and three men all died alone. [continues 357 words]
Urban governments in Saskatchewan are getting "anxious" about the provincial government's plans to deal with legalized marijuana, according to the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA). The association on Tuesday called on the provincial government to start consulting about its plans for when the federal government follows through on its promise to legalize recreational cannabis in eight months. SUMA president Gordon Barnhart said the pending legalization of marijuana looms as one of the chief concerns expressed during seven regional meetings held last month. [continues 245 words]
Clinical coordinator at Vancouver's largest supervised injection site says P.A. should open similar facility Prince Albert should open a safe injection site before a bad situation gets worse, says a senior staff member from Canada's first legal facility for injecting drugs. Tim Gauthier, clinical coordinator at Vancouver's Insite, was the keynote speaker at the Prince Albert Parkland Health Region's HIV Education for Change event on Wednesday. He said he was shocked when he heard how many drug users in the Prince Albert area are contracting HIV through needles. The numbers convinced him that the city needs to expand its harm reduction programs. [continues 1807 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 those with a specific agenda. [continues 617 words]
Police asking for more time before marijuana legalized, Troy Cooper tells chamber Police Chief Troy Cooper has gone from doubtful to critical on Ottawa's marijuana plan, rejecting some key parts of the legislation and saying he's "nervous" about next summer's legalization deadline. Cooper has long seemed hesitant over marijuana legalization. Thursday, the day of his speech to the Chamber of Commerce, was perhaps his clearest expression of frustration over the pace of the federal plan - which foresees legal weed by July 2018. "We've asked, as a police service, please give us more time," he told the audience of local business leaders gathered at the Wildlife Federation building. [continues 614 words]
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]
This lethal drug makes a discussion urgent, writes Dr. Richard Thatcher. The dangers of fentanyl as a frequently used mood-modifying, recreational drug, on its own or laced into other opiates are gradually becoming well known. The substance has recently gained a reputation as the Grim Reaper of illicit drugs. The number of deaths and near deaths originating with fentanyl use is simply shocking. Surely parents must initiate a serious discussion with their children and teens about this and other drug use. In this case, talk is, arguably, the primary preventive measure. [continues 595 words]
MJPS call recent arrests a success, but more work still to be done Crystal methamphetamine isn't a newcomer to the Friendly City, but it does seem to be getting better acquainted with it. "It's a drug that's much more available than it was even five years ago," Cpl. Kevin Pilsworth of the Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) said on Thursday. "In the past few years, we've really seen it make its way onto the map in Moose Jaw." [continues 478 words]
City starts preparing for marijuana laws, which are likely to change in 2018. The federal government is one year away from legalizing marijuana, but city council is already taking steps to prepare for the change. On Tuesday, Ward 6 Coun. Blake Edwards brought forward a motion asking for city administrators to submit a report the potential implications of the new law. The report will cover issues like business licenses, grow-ops, operating hours and business locations. Edwards says he's already fielding calls from residents inquiring about business licenses for when marijuana becomes legal, and he wants the city to be prepared when the day comes. [continues 381 words]
"'It's a try-and-die drug': Fentanyl is suspected in weekend overdose death" (SP, May 9) documents our cruel and ineffective drug policy. Overdose deaths are completely avoidable, as is the spread of AIDS and hepatitis C through drug use. These problems are caused by prohibition of drugs, not the drugs themselves. Drug policies other than prohibition have been tried, studied, and shown to have great success, if success means fewer addicts and far less crime and corruption. When prescription heroin was provided in Manchester, England, crime fell in some neighbourhoods by 80 per cent. [continues 98 words]
The era of legal weed will require broad investments in public health, according to the Saskatchewan Medical Association. Legislation alone is inadequate, president Dr. Intheran Pillay said. "I think expanding the access to support services such as mental health and substance use services would be important. I think it would be important to expand access to training programs in addiction medicine and I think it's important to make extensive educational resources on the risks of harm to youth and others available, as well." [continues 213 words]
It's been a long time coming and it's not here yet, but like the rest of the country, Moose Jaw is getting ready for the rollout of legalized marijuana. "We were invited to provide input and participate in discussions," said Moose Jaw Police Chief Rick Bourassa, who has been representing Moose Jaw and Saskatchewan on committees in Ottawa on this issue. "We'll see as this goes through Parliament, and when the laws are proclaimed, we'll be having more discussions about it." [continues 237 words]
Minister says Ottawa has no plans for weed amnesty or freeze on enforcement Saskatchewan pot smokers who get busted over the next 14 months aren't likely to receive much sympathy from the federal government, which maintains that the "law is the law until it's changed" on Canada's birthday next year. The Liberal government won't offer amnesty to people convicted of simple possession of marijuana or encourage police departments to stop enforcing the law until the drug becomes legal, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale told reporters on Friday. [continues 323 words]
Dear editor, If your objectives are to protect public health and safety, keep marijuana out of the hands of minors and cut illegal profits flowing to organized crime-then the law as it stands today has been an abject failure. Law enforcement agencies in Canada spend an estimated $2-3 billion a year trying to fight pot, yet Canadian teenagers are among the heaviest users in the western world. And criminals walk away with $7-8 billion every year in illicit proceeds. We have to do better. [continues 689 words]
Canadians will be able to celebrate this country's 151st birthday by legally lighting up a joint. The federal government has introduced legislation to legalize marijuana by July 1, 2018, fulfilling one of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's election campaign promises. But there are still a lot of questions regarding the details of a legal pot industry. Canada doesn't have a lot of international precedent to guide it. We will be just the second country in the world, after Uruguay, to fully legalize marijuana. It's decriminalized in some parts of the world, and legal in some American states, but countries as a whole have been leery about legalizing marijuana. [continues 438 words]
When the federal government enacts legislation to legalize recreational marijuana next year, Ryan Murray hopes Saskatchewan sets the age limit at 19 - the province's legal drinking age. "There shouldn't be an age difference," said Murray, co-owner of Cannabis Health Clinic in Regina. "From the research I've done, access to cannabis before the age of 21 isn't necessarily the best thing unless it's for medical purposes." On Thursday, the federal government introduced the long-awaited bill to legalize marijuana. The suite of bills would establish 18 as the minimum legal age to buy pot. The new legislation will allow provinces, territories and municipalities to tailor rules for their jurisdictions. [continues 543 words]
Inside Saskatchewan
