With some marijuana dispensaries still open in spite of repeated warnings, the Regina Police Service is now taking its campaign to the shops' landlords.

About two weeks ago, police sent letters to property owners informing them that their pot-shop tenants are committing a criminal offence. Selling cannabis out of storefronts remains illegal.

According to police spokesperson Les Parker, the letters also conveyed that the properties "may be subject to forfeiture" if sales continue. He cited a provision of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act that allows courts to order the seizure of "offence-related property."

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There seems to be a general euphoria with the upcoming legalization of marijuana, while at the same time there is silence from the large proportion of Canadians who oppose legalization.

Perhaps one should look at why marijuana was made illegal in the first place. For many, it was a case of, "We have enough problems with alcohol. If marijuana is legal, we'll have twice as many drug problems." For others, they didn't want to live in a nation of zombies where people are walking around stoned all day.

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There seems to be a general euphoria with the upcoming legalization of marijuana, while at the same time there is silence from the large proportion of Canadians who oppose legalization.

Perhaps one should look at why marijuana was made illegal in the first place. For many, it was a case of, "We have enough problems with alcohol. If marijuana is legal, we'll have twice as many drug problems." For others, they didn't want to live in a nation of zombies where people are walking around stoned all day.

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Policing issues played a minor role in Tuesday's Ward 4 budget town hall, with only one exception: Cannabis enforcement costs.

The Regina Police Service has estimated the cost of policing a legalized marijuana system between $1.2 million and $1.8 million. That number evoked shock from one resident who came to the meeting.

"It stretches the bounds of believability," she said. "Give me a break."

Coun. Andrew Stevens tried to steer clear of the RPS during the town hall, only once repeating his earlier warnings about the force's "uncontrolled" costs.

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The president of the organization that represents Saskatchewan's cities and towns wants a more collaborative relationship with Premier Scott Moe's new provincial government.

"So far, so good," Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) president Gordon Barnhart said Wednesday. "I think that they've been saying they want to have consultation before decisions are made and I think that's a step in the right direction."

Moe took over from premier Brad Wall last month as leader of the Saskatchewan Party and the province's new premier.

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Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach and general manager Chris Jones remains "disappointed" in Duron Carter.

Carter faces charges for marijuana possession in Winnipeg and Saskatoon.

"I was really disappointed because I had just come off the heels of going down to Florida and spending good quality time with him and his mom,'' Jones said Wednesday from his home in South Pittsburg, Tenn.

"It's like when a family member or a close friend gets into a situation like that. I'm really disappointed because I thought we were a bit beyond that thing. It's something that we'll wait and see what the legal process goes through and what the authorities say. Then we'll have more of a comment on exactly what happens with Duron.''

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Karen Klassen has been emerging of late from her condo unit, socializing with her neighbours over coffee and when they ask what's brought her out more, she's been reluctant to answer.

For at least 25 years, Klassen has endured chronic pain and she believes medicinal marijuana is what has been helping her.

It began with fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, but Klassen later suffered a broken back. The last diagnosis, which she says is the most significant, is a failed back surgery, spinal stenosis and ankylosing spondylitis.

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Regina hopes to get share of revenue to cover its expenses

Regina city councillors now know their options on cannabis, after administration handed them a report on how the city can prepare for legalization - and how much it's likely to cost police.

The Regina Police Service is pegging the added expense of policing a legal weed system at somewhere between $1.2 million and $1.8 million. That's only a rough guess, based on forecasts from other police forces in Canada.

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Statistics Canada has persuaded a handful of Saskatchewan people to weigh in on their weed use. And the verdict is in: Marijuana in the province is both strong and cheap.

The agency's StatsCannabis portal is designed to help measure "the evolving social and economic impacts of cannabis legalization." It asks users to anonymously report their marijuana purchases to the data agency, including how much they paid, how much they bought and how satisfactory the product turned out to be.

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It remains to be seen how deep of a predicament Duron Carter may be in after twice being charged with marijuana possession.

On Thursday, the Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver was arrested at Saskatoon International Airport and charged with possession of marijuana.

The incident followed Carter being charged with possession of a controlled substance Nov. 25 after being caught with more 30 grams (one ounce) of marijuana at Winnipeg International Airport.

The amount of marijuana Carter, 26, had in his possession in Saskatoon isn't known. He was released on his own recognizance in Saskatoon and Winnipeg.

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Is Duron Carter a possession receiver?

That has been a question to ponder since it was revealed that Carter, a popular pass-catcher with the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders, was arrested and charged with marijuana possession Thursday in Saskatoon.

The Regina Leader-Post subsequently discovered that Carter had been charged with possession of a controlled substance Nov. 25 in Winnipeg.

Another question to consider: Should this even be a big deal?

Carter was charged in Saskatoon only a few months before the use of recreational marijuana becomes legal in Canada.

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While police haven't dropped the hammer on any of Regina's pot shops yet, Chief Evan Bray says storefront owners should think twice about trying to fight the man.

"If you want to get a licence once it's legalized and have this retail business forevermore, I would suggest you'd want to be assessed with good character," he said following Wednesday's board of police commissioners meeting.

In assessing applications for storefront marijuana sales licences, "good character" will be on SLGA's list of boxes in need of ticking, Bray said, pointing to a section of the Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Act.

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With legalization right around the corner we seem to be in a state of fog and confusion as to what it means.

It is very strange that when pot/marijuana was illegal we didn't even look for it or test for it in drivers. Suddenly we seem to think there will be a huge increase in usage and that there is money to be made by an all out ban on a soon to be legal substance, even though impairment can't be proven or measured?

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The City of Saskatoon wants public input on where marijuana outlets should be located.

City hall has launched an online survey seeking residents' input on where cannabis producers and retailers should be allowed to set up shop. The federal government has set a deadline of July 1 to keep a campaign promise to make recreational marijuana legal.

The survey seeks feedback on a variety of issues, ranging from public consumption to safety of patrons and employees to protection from "noxious odours" and shielding youth and "vulnerable" people.

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The Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA) is hoping the provincial government will consider the effects of marijuana on brain development when deciding on the legal age for purchase.

Though the provincial government has announced recreational marijuana will be sold through private retailers and regulated by the SLGA, they say they are waiting to decide the legal age until the new cabinet and premier are in place.

The majority of provinces are restricting the purchase of marijuana to those 19 and older, SMA president Dr. Joanne Sivertson says limiting access to people 21 and over would make Saskatchewan a leader in protecting the brain development of young adults.

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Police chief warns shop owners they could be raided at any time

Regina's police chief is warning that officers could move against marijuana dispensaries at any moment, potentially charging operators and confiscating their weed.

It's Evan Bray's most immediate threat yet against Regina's 19 or so pot shops. He said the police will soon send official warnings to owners - but that's just "a courtesy." The law is "black and white," he said Wednesday, and dispensaries are already breaking it.

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Owners weigh options as nation moves toward legalization in July

Cuong Nguyen will lose his job in three weeks.

He might even lose it sooner, if the city police tell Regina Green Cross Medicine to stop selling marijuana before February 15. For now, that's the date his bosses plan to close up shop - and everything must go.

"It's kind of crappy, to be honest," he said. "Now I have to look for a new job."

Last Tuesday, Regina Police Chief Evan Bray warned cannabis dispensaries that they're breaking the law. He hinted at possible enforcement action in the coming weeks.

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There is good evidence that marijuana can negatively affect the developing brains.

The Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA) is hoping the provincial government will consider the effects of marijuana on brain development when deciding on the legal age for purchase.

Though the provincial government has announced recreational marijuana will be sold through private retailers and regulated by the SLGA, they say they are waiting to decide the legal age until the new cabinet and premier are in place.

The majority of provinces are restricting the purchase of marijuana to those 19 and older. SMA president Dr. Joanne Sivertson says limiting access to people 21 and over would make Saskatchewan a leader in protecting the brain development of young adults.

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Young adults responded to a voluntary survey about what they think about the legalization of marijuana. Here's what they had to say:

These are some thoughts from some Prince Albert young people who were asked a few questions about what they think about the soon to be legalization of marijuana. I was interested and thought others might be too. The students were given a 10-question written questionnaire. They were aged 16 to 21.

When asked what its legalization meant to them personally, the consensus was that it was a good idea and mainly because of what they considered to be the medicinal values of the plant. They spoke of its ability to help people with cancer, seizures, and anxiety. They felt it could treat people with pain and stress. They felt it could calm people down. They saw it as a natural product as it comes from a plant. They saw its legalization as "freedom".

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Police developing policies on steps to take when marijuana legalized in July

Troy Cooper, Saskatoon's new police chief, says he will closely review the policy city police are developing on marijuana dispensaries after the start of his term on Feb. 28.

"In Saskatoon, I think in five weeks time, if things are still unresolved by government and it's still illegal, I think we'll take a common-sense approach where there's education for the people who are running the dispensaries," Cooper said.

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Chief warns crackdown could be coming as weed is still illegal

Regina police are well aware stores selling marijuana are up and running around the city.

And while cannabis is set to become legal this summer, Chief Evan Bray is clear: selling the product is still illegal.

It's a message he says will be actively communicated with the public in coming weeks, and it is one those working at or running dispensaries in the city have likely already heard.

Bray wants the illegality of dispensaries to be clearly known.

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It's not so black and white ... it's this whole grey spectrum based on many factors.

As the legalization of marijuana approaches, there are still many questions about how the government plans to regulate the drug.

Michael Szafron, an assistant professor with the U of S School of Public Health who has been researching risk factors and demographics of marijuana usage in Canada prior to legalization, spoke Tuesday at a lecture and panel discussion about some of the lesser known negative aspects of recreational use.

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Chief says pot shops still against law and service will be speaking to store owners

Regina's police chief again put marijuana dispensaries "on notice" that they're breaking the law, warning they could face criminal charges in the weeks to come.

"In the next six weeks, prepare yourself for some headlines," Regina police chief Evan Bray told an audience gathered at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon Tuesday.

He said police actions will follow an education campaign, set to begin in about a week and a half.

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Young people are going to lose one of their last remaining ways to stick it to The Man

How will marijuana legalization affect us? If only there were a way to see the future, to look into a crystal bong, so to speak.

Well, we can, more or less. It's been legally sold in Colorado for four years. Has it turned people there into zombies? Is there more general giggling than there was before?

The sky hasn't fallen. Various studies indicate that teen consumption hasn't increased (in fact, it's gone down, according to trusted news source leafbuyer. com). Traffic fatalities continue on a downward trend. That's what happens when everybody drives three miles an hour. And with $230 million going into the treasury in 2016, tax revenues are so high they can't feel their face.

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The reluctance of the Saskatchewan Party government to come forward with a fulsome policy on legal cannabis sales speaks to the discomfort this conservative-minded administration is having with the subject matter.

But it also demonstrates how this party's leadership race - and perhaps other political considerations - have shut down the business of governing for some time now.

The kindest grade one can give Monday's government announcement on legal marijuana sales is "late" and "incomplete."

It avoided answering even the most basic question: At what age will one be able to purchase marijuana in Saskatchewan, come its legalization on July 1.

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With legalization right around the corner, one P.A. resident wants to help educate people on the benefits of marijuana

Mike McCaul is not your average cannabis activist.

McCaul, who moved to Prince Albert from Calgary in 2008, first began using marijuana to help alleviate severe back problems. He rarely uses cannabis these days as his injuries have healed, but his passion for helping others understand the medical benefits remains.

"It's the education aspect and the health aspect, the benefits of it," McCaul explained. "Legalization is right around the corner, but I'm trying to help people understand that there is a medical side to it."

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Corrections officials have antidote available for potential overdoses

Fentanyl has been found within all the province's adult correctional centres, a provincial spokesman has confirmed.

The drug has made the news repeatedly, blamed for a rash of deaths throughout the country. As with other trends in the illegal drug world, Saskatchewan has been far from immune, having witnessed a number of deaths and non-fatal overdoses related to this and other opioids.

Drew Wilby, spokesman for the Ministry of Justice, said one other pattern has proved true here - that what's available on the streets is also available in jail.

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Until province reveals its full plans, revision of bylaws is stuck in limbo

The landscape for legal marijuana in Saskatoon remains hazy, even though the provincial government released part of its plan.

On Monday, Mayor Charlie Clark told reporters he welcomed more clarity from the province, but could not guarantee the city's complex regulatory regime will be in place for July 1, the federal government's target date for marijuana legalization.

Clark spoke after a city council committee discussed possible bylaw changes that will depend on the provincial rules. Saskatchewan remains the only province that has not released its plan for legalized marijuana.

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Regina's mayor is faulting the province for "drip, drip, dripping " information on marijuana regulation, and for failing to provide the clarity the city needs to craft its own plan.

Despite his issues, he said Regina will not take advantage of the province's offer to "say no to a licence."

The province announced Monday that cannabis will be sold through licensed private retailers and regulated through the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority. But Mayor Michael Fougere said he still has questions about how the move will affect Regina.

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City on deck for seven outlets, with retailers selected in a lottery

Saskatchewan is planning to allow private retailers to sell cannabis products, once they are legalized this summer by the federal government.

Regina will be able to have six retailers, while Saskatoon can have seven. About 60 stores, which must be stand-alone shops and will also be able to sell products online, will be located in 40 communities throughout the province.

The Saskatchewan Party government is allowing communities with a population of at least 2,500 to be eligible for a cannabis retailer.

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Restrictions on smoking in Saskatoon should include marijuana once legalization takes effect, and the province needs to release its plan as soon as possible, a new city report says.

The report, which proposes possible areas that need to be addressed once the Saskatchewan Party provincial government releases its strategy, is on the agenda for a city council committee meeting on Monday.

"It is essential that the province's plan for cannabis be released as soon as possible to ensure that any local regulations that city council may wish to pursue are appropriate and relevant under the provincial regime that will be put in place," the report says.

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