DURHAM - Days after abruptly shuttering its doors, an Oshawa marijuana dispensary has reopened, in defiance of a warning from Durham police. The Emerald Triangle dispensary on Simcoe Street North has resumed operations because clients are in need and buying pot on the street isn't a safe alternative for them, said Irie Selkirk, a consultant who spoke on behalf of the dispensary's owners. "This location has chosen to reopen their doors," she said. "The principals here received word from at least 40 patients who are having significant health issues. [continues 289 words]
Mailing pot to MPs won't have the desired impact Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised to legalize marijuana, we just don't know when. The marijuana advocates must feel like he's taking too long for their liking given the recent stunt by pot activist Dana Larsen, who sent a special package to the 184 Liberal politicians, including MPs in Durham and Northumberland. The manila envelopes sent to the MPs contains his and illustrator Patrick Dowers' new book Cannabis in Canada, the Illustrated History - as well as a gram of medical-grade marijuana. [continues 311 words]
In recent years the issue of marijuana has changed. Where once it was considered a prohibitive substance, an illegal drug, today its medicinal purposes are being praised as more and more Canadians are prescribed the drug to ease suffering. Health Canada estimates as many as 50,000 Canadians were permitted to use medical marijuana in 2014 for conditions such as chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, anxiety and people undergoing cancer treatment. Oshawa residents Ben Fudge and Marko Ivancicevic are among those 50,000 permitted users and addressed a medical marijuana working group to educate councillors on issues related to the drug. Together they outlined the history of medical marijuana in Canada and highlighted some of the issues that affect municipalities, including zoning for legal marijuana production facilities and the licensing of vapor lounges. [continues 290 words]
Oshawa accessibility committee conducts education session for council members on medical marijuana issues Oshawa considers accessibility issues around medical marijuana OSHAWA -- Oshawa council got a crash course on the issue of medical marijuana at a recent council special education session by members of the Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee. In 2013 the committee created a medical marijuana working group and members of the group addressed council on March 2 and delivered a slideshow presentation on issues related to medical marijuana. Working group members Ben Fudge and Marko Ivancicevic outlined the history of medical marijuana in Canada and highlighted some of the issues that affect municipalities, including zoning for legal marijuana production facilities and the licensing of vapor lounges. [continues 552 words]
To the editor: Re: 'Marijuana legalization would be ill-advised', letter to the editor, durhamregion.com, May 8, 2014. The letter writer is seriously mistaken claiming (cannabis) marijuana can cause lung and other cancers since there is not one single dead body to prove it in over 5,000 years of documented use. It's just the opposite, in fact. Worldwide, cannabis has been proven to shrink some cancerous tumors, help get rid of other cancers and keep some cancers from forming. The beneficial God-given plant has even helped millions of citizens who have who have had to face cancer deal with nausea, appetite and pain. A sane or moral argument to continue caging responsible adults who use cannabis doesn't exist. Stan White Dillon, Colorado [end]
Police Should Know If Person, Company Growing Weed DURHAM -- Police departments should be told if a licence is issued to a large-scale medical marijuana grow op. That's the position of both Durham Regional Council and the Durham Regional Police Services board. Regional Council adopted the position following a lengthy debate Wednesday. Marko Ivancicevic, a medical marijuana advocate, said it was "great Regional council is being proactive on the issue." However, he added the motion approved by the police services board was too broad and "it should be specific." [continues 425 words]
To the editor: In April, federal Liberal leader Justin Trudeau visited Durham Region and again stated he favours legalizing marijuana and having it taxed by the government. This idea resonates with many Canadians, but caution is warranted. In April, Harvard University released a study and concluded that even casual use of marijuana causes irreversible brain impairment involving one's ability to adjust to everyday life and make decisions. The report particularly cautions against marijuana use by people under age 30. Marijuana is also known to carry many cancer-causing substances, and can cause lung and other cancers. Legalizing and selling it would lead to more impaired driving and higher insurance and health-care costs. The American states of Washington and Colorado legalized it this year and there are reports of children selling their parents' legal marijuana at schools. Impaired students do not academically do well. [continues 53 words]
Justin Trudeau Makes The Case For Legalizing Marijuana AJAX -- Liberal leader Justin Trudeau spent the afternoon in Ajax on Monday taking questions from residents and drumming up support for his party and his 2015 bid for the Prime Minister's job. The Liberal leader spoke at a luncheon event organized by the Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade at the Ajax Convention Centre on Beck Crescent. Mr. Trudeau took questions from the audience and while they covered a range of topics, including his views on education and economic issues, two of the questions dealt with the future of the federally owned Pickering airport lands. [continues 537 words]
Region Says City Should Consider"Adverse Human Health Impacts" OSHAWA -- The burning issue of accommodation for medical marijuana users is now with the City's legal department. This summer the Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee asked council to look at including medical marijuana use in the City's manual on accessible customer service. The committee also wants council to formally recognize that "all citizens have the equal right to take their prescribed medication in public without fear of harassment and discrimination." OAAC chairman Derek Giberson says the issue has become a"political hot potato,"bouncing from one level of government to another as policy makers struggle with the stigma associated with pot smoking and a lack of precedent. [continues 307 words]
To the editor: Re: Cannabis Day. Are you kidding me? It's hilarious how it's all about 'medicinal' use. What a crock. What a terrible message and example to send out -- hey, don't try to get better just mask your symptoms with a great big buzz. Oh, by the way, smoking causes no end of issues but you need to get high so I suppose this is as good an excuse as any. Hopefully your 'medicinal' prescription doesn't include care for the new ailments that will surely follow. Just because it's 'natural' doesn't mean you need to ingest it. Yvonne Hess Whitby [end]
Matt Mernagh at the Centre of Court Challenge to Medical Marijuana Legislation OSHAWA -- As the date for Oshawa's third annual Cannabis Day nears, one of Canada's most well-known marijuana activists dropped in to rally the troops and talk about his historic court battle. Toronto resident Matt Mernagh made headlines this spring when an Ontario Superior Court justice struck down Canada's medical marijuana laws and gave the government 90 days to fix the program. It was Mr. Mernagh's case that led to the judge's decision. [continues 305 words]
Police Called to UOIT Campus at April 15 Just Say Know Event OSHAWA -- A drug education conference at UOIT took an ironic turn Friday afternoon when a guest speaker invited to talk about the challenges faced by medical marijuana users says he was harassed - for being a medical marijuana user. Ben Fudge, an Oshawa resident and federally exempted medical marijuana user, was among nine speakers on the agenda for the April 15 Just Say Know conference, the first event of its kind at the university. [continues 677 words]
Marijuana Issue to Be Raised With City of Oshawa Committee OSHAWA -- Is marijuana an accessibility issue? It is if you ask two new members of the Oshawa accessibility committee. Like many local residents with disabilities or medical conditions, Ben Fudge and Marko Ivancicevic have federal exemption cards that allow them to legally smoke pot to manage their symptoms. And both have run up against discrimination from police, security guards, business owners and members of the public who don't understand how the exemption works, or don't care. [continues 383 words]
Four-Year Anniversary For Program That Helps People Kick Life Of Addiction, Crime OSHAWA -- There aren't many courtrooms in Canada where you can freely admit to using illegal drugs, without fear of consequences. In fact, there are precisely nine, one of which is here in Durham Region. "You don't have to be afraid to be honest about what's going on with you, everyone just wants to help," said Vivian Cruz, one of two women who graduated from the Durham Drug Treatment and Mental Health Court on Oct. 18. [continues 1201 words]
Organizers Say Second Annual Event Better Planned After Last Year's Controversy OSHAWA -- Like many people, Ben Fudge starts his day with a coffee and a smoke. But, it's not a nicotine hit he's after when he lights up first thing in the morning. The Oshawa man has been using medical marijuana for years to help manage chronic pain, after being hit by a truck when he was younger. Canes and a scooter help him get around, but he says it's pot that really makes him mobile. [continues 526 words]
It's not often a press release comes in from the Durham Regional Police Service which leaves us in the newsroom scratching our heads. But a release last Friday had us doing just that and asking ourselves if it was a mistake. The release dealt with charges against the owners of an Oshawa convenience store charged with possession of a controlled substance. The release also stated the couple was "allegedly selling illegal drugs over the counter." The release went on to say officers located a candy bucket containing individually wrapped plastic bags of oxycodon tablets and other illegal drugs. It didn't provide names of the accused or the name of the store but added it was located on Ritson Road in Oshawa near a local public school. [continues 281 words]
Mediator Says Park Gathering Wasn't An "Event," Group Shouldn't Have Been Forced To Leave OSHAWA -- There's a right and a wrong way to do things, and local police say that applies to cannabis events, too. Just because pot is illegal doesn't mean there can't be perfectly legal, pro-pot rallies, demonstrations and events. But, they need to be well organized, have the proper permits and take place in a fitting location. Durham Regional Police Deputy Chief Chuck Mercier said that's what tripped up recent efforts to organize Oshawa's first annual Cannabis Day -- not an anti-pot bias from police. [continues 470 words]
Organizer Wants Oshawa Cannabis Day To Be An Annual Event OSHAWA -- A local councillor is worried the City's plans for a family-friendly Canada Day party by the lake could go up in smoke -- literally. In recent weeks, information has been posted on YouTube and Facebook announcing Oshawa Cannabis Day 2009, slated for 4:20 p.m. July 1 at Lakeview Park, the same area where the City hosts its annual Canada Day event. The YouTube videos have been viewed more than 600 times, and local councillors are worried a crowd of pot proponents will light up as hundreds of families gather for live music and fireworks. [continues 405 words]
The Supreme Court of Canada recently ruled on a case that started in Sarnia with regard to the use of police dogs to find drugs in a school gym that had some school bags in it. The court has ruled the search was illegal and as a result the evidence does not count and the kid is innocent. This means there will never be another dog in any school in this country. The dogs need to go into the Supreme Court building because the judges missed a few things in their deliberations. [continues 458 words]
Owner Of Pete's Open Kitchen Says He's Ready To Pack Up And Leave OSHAWA -- Peter Captsis is tired. Tired of finding pills and syringes on the bathroom floor, tired of breaking up fights, tired of listening to foul language float over the tables in his restaurant. For the past two years, he has been trying to make Pete's Open Kitchen a downtown Oshawa success story but says the methadone clinic next door is making that all but impossible. [continues 655 words]
