Legal weed may not be the "revenue cash cow" provinces and territories were hoping for, says the Yukon's assistant deputy minister of justice. Legal weed may not be the "revenue cash cow" provinces and territories were hoping for, says the Yukon's assistant deputy minister of justice. While the recreational marijuana market will open up new revenue streams, said Al Lucier, those dollars, at least in the early days, will be funneled into awareness and education campaigns, research and policy enforcement. [continues 851 words]
Provincial Leaders Call on Ottawa to Deliver Plan Soon So They Can Build Framework Canada's premiers are signaling they need swift action from Ottawa on recreational marijuana legalization to keep cannabis away from kids, motorists and criminals. With a federal panel set to deliver a report this November that will be the blueprint for legislation next spring, the provincial leaders say time is of the essence. "There's real concerns, there's concerns on so many levels," Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister said Thursday at the annual Council of the Federation meeting. [continues 586 words]
Provincial leaders call on Ottawa to deliver plan soon so they can build framework WHITEHORSE- Canada's premiers are signalling they need swift action from Ottawa on recreational marijuana legalization to keep cannabis away from kids, motorists and criminals. With a federal panel set to deliver a report this November that will be the blueprint for legislation next spring, the provincial leaders say time is of the essence. "There's real concerns, there's concerns on so many levels," Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister said Thursday at the annual Council of the Federation meeting. [continues 585 words]
Premiers meeting in the Yukon say they want quick action from the federal government on the legalization of marijuana to prevent a patchwork of enforcement and distribution across the country. "There's real concerns," said Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister before heading into the meeting Thursday in Whitehorse. "It's one of the issues I want to raise today," he said. "I would hope we can develop a national approach, a co-operative approach." British Columbia's Christy Clark echoed Pallister's worries around public health, safety and distribution. [continues 274 words]
Premier Eager to Learn About Strategies of Her Counterparts at Summer Conference WHITEHORSE- As Canada's provincial and territorial leaders gather for their annual summer conference, Premier Kathleen Wynne wants the inside dope from her colleagues about legalized recreational marijuana. "I can tell you I'm going to ask people what they're thinking about it," Wynne told the Star in an interview before the summit begins Wednesday. Her comments come as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government prepares to end the prohibition of marijuana. [continues 638 words]
For years, Michael Dobson has navigated the smoky waters of Canada's medical marijuana system. The 30-year-old Yukoner suffers from grand mal epileptic seizures, which can feature a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions. Grand mal seizures are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Dobson smokes medical marijuana with high levels of cannabidiol, or CBD, to help slow down the synapses in his brain. It used to be a lot simpler for Dobson to get access to the drug that makes his life more tolerable. [continues 797 words]
Debt, decreasing job prospects and doobies were on the minds of high school students questioning politicians at Wednesday's federal election forum. The loudest reaction from the crowd at F.H. Collins came when one student asked Conservative incumbent Ryan Leef, Liberal candidate Larry Bagnell, NDP candidate Melissa Atkinson and Green candidate Frank de Jong what their positions were on legalizing marijuana. The biggest surprise of the forum came from Ryan Leef, who appeared, during the 60 seconds he had to answer the question, to support decriminalization. [continues 650 words]
Marijuana found in the car of a former Whitehorse jail guard can't be used as evidence at his upcoming trial after a judge criticized the jail staff for violating his rights. However, Ritalin pills found in his pocket are admissible, the judge said. Michael Gaber is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking. Prosecutors allege he was smuggling drugs into the Whitehorse Correctional Centre. His trial is scheduled for early November. According to a decision by Justice Ron Veale, Gaber arrived at the jail for a shift on Dec. 23, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. He was met by the jail's deputy superintendent of operations, Geoff Wooding, and brought to a boardroom with superintendent Jayme Curtis. [continues 770 words]
Methadone is once again going to be offered at the Whitehorse Correctional Centre. Three years after inmates started being forced off the drug, justice officials say they are now equipped to start offering it again. In March 2012, the department cancelled the program, which started in 2008. That prompted a tongue-lashing from advocates and the president of the Yukon Medical Association, who called the decision "inhumane." At the time, the jail didn't have the means to continue the program safely, spokesperson Caitlin Kerwin said Thursday. [continues 851 words]
Inside Yukon Territory
