South Okanagan-West Kootenay candidates asked at election forum about legalizing marijuana, but Conservative says constituents care more about other issues, like jobs Legalizing pot is not a big priority for constituents in the South Okanagan-West Kootenay riding, Conservative candidate Marshall Neufeld declares. "What I hear consistently from constituents is they don't see this as a top issue in the riding unlike (Liberal Leader) Justin Trudeau, who made this his first policy promise," Neufeld told a crowd of 150 at an all-candidates forum Saturday at the South Main Drop-In Centre in Penticton. "We (Conservatives) are going to stay focused on jobs, the economy and taxation, and not marijuana use." [continues 683 words]
A wide-ranging series of questions and answers at Monday's Penticton Herald election forum provided a broad if not deep overview of the positions of the candidates in South Okanagan West Kootenay and their parties. For two hours, New Democrat Richard Cannings, Liberal Connie Denesiuk, Conservative Marshall Neufeld and the Green party's Samantha Troy took questions from a panel of six area journalists. The subjects ranged from economic policy to the environment, international relations, seniors housing, the legalization of marijuana and beyond. [continues 2155 words]
Dear Editor: Nice hair Rona Ambrose. Stevie is into hair. You couldn't be more wrong on marijuana... what else don't you know? On corporations: Corporate lives don't matter. Corporate monopolies destroy economies. If Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffet were around for 300 years they would own everything On fracking: What they frack with being a trade secret is B.S. What about the national park here in Osoyoos? I've answered that before. Those with the "No National Park" signs on their property may want to take them down. [continues 114 words]
In early June the Supreme Court of Canada rendered a judgement with respect to how medical marijuana may be consumed. A brief summary of this ruling is that the Supreme Court decided that medical marijuana, including extracts and derivatives, could be consumed in a variety of different methods beyond the previously defined means of being dried. In essence this ruling opens the door for oral ingestion that does not require "smoking" and allows marijuana laced baked goods, pills and other methods. Also included are cannabis oils along with both dried and now fresh marijuana buds and leaves. [continues 527 words]
Vancouver Becomes First City in Canada to Regulate Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Vancouver has become the first city in Canada to regulate illegal marijuana dispensaries, a move that has "deeply disappointed" the federal government but was declared a common-sense approach by the mayor. "We're faced with a tough situation, a complicated situation," Gregor Robertson said Wednesday after councillors voted 8-3 to impose new regulations. "We have this proliferation of dispensaries that must be dealt with," he said. The city has blamed Ottawa's restrictive medical marijuana laws for the rise of pot dispensaries - to 94 from fewer than 20 just three years ago. [continues 633 words]
Re: "Ruling a victory for family of girl with seizure disorder," (Herald, June 12). I'm glad the family found a way to control their daughter's seizures, but I have these concerns: Did their primary-care epilepsy doctor prescribe cannabis, or did they give a minor an illegal drug? Why are they so happy the Supreme Court says other forms of marijuana are acceptable, when it's illegal to give it to minors without a prescription? How can a doctor prescribe something that has not been clinically tested or has no known dose value? [continues 96 words]
Rockn' for Kids, a fundraiser for sick kids in need of medical cannabis, will be held on Saturday afternoon at Orchard House, 157 Orchard Ave., in Penticton. The event will be a fun afternoon for the whole family. Live music by the Yardkatz, River Line and Forever should have everyone from small children to their grandparents on their feet dancing. A dinner of pulled-pork or veggie burgers, complete with dessert is included in the $25 ticket and participants may come and go during the afternoon. [continues 477 words]
Whistler Blackcomb ski resort made headlines last week, not for a major competition or a facility upgrade, but because it's banning all forms of smoking, including marijuana. Marijuana? That's like not allowing beer after a recreational slo-pitch game. Jokes aside, this is a great thing provided it's properly enforced. Ownership stated in a press release that it's to "preserve the pristine alpine environment for our guests." We can add that smoking is a health hazard and studies prove second-hand smoke causes health problems. Skiing, snowboarding and other forms of alpine sports are healthy forms of recreation. [continues 202 words]
Ontario parents of epileptic girl using same treatment that has worked so well for Summerland family THORNHILL, Ont. - Gwenevere Repetski turns three next month and she is finally able to crawl, a milestone her parents thought they would never see. She was just an infant when she was diagnosed with epilepsy, a debilitating neurological disorder that has left her developmentally delayed. "She was kind of like a bag of Jell-O," says her mother, Reagan Repetski. When she was two years old, she could hardly roll over when she was placed on her back, adds her father, Alex. [continues 1475 words]
Shy, anxious, depressed 18-year-old accidentally overdosed on heroin Heroin killed his daughter, and now a grieving Penticton father is sharing her story in the hopes it will save a life. Coroners have tentatively determined Chloe Highley, 18, died on April 26 after accidentally overdosing on the drug, according to her father, Danny. "Young people need to be aware of the potentially fatal effects of heroin," he said in an interview Wednesday at the family's spacious Pineview-area home. [continues 498 words]
Olympic medallist who champions medical marijuana says politicians must address issue VANCOUVER - On his average day, athlete Ross Rebagliati rises about 4:30 a.m., brews himself a cup of coffee and then stirs in the ingredient he considers most crucial: honey infused with cannabis. "I just wake up feeling great, looking forward to my workout. And it takes care of any aches and pains from the days before," he said Tuesday, before adding the medical-grade marijuana extract doesn't make him high. [continues 535 words]
The family of a two-year-old Summerland girl is willing to break the law to provide her with the cannabis oil that appears to have dramatically reduced the hundreds of seizures she was suffering daily. Kyla Williams, who has a severe seizure disorder, has shown marked improvement during the past five months while her family has been treating her with the illegal oil. The family tried the oil after doctors said they had exhausted their treatment options. "It's a scary place to be," said Kyla's grandmother Elaine Nuessler. [continues 623 words]
The thought of supplying a toddler with marijuana sounds ludicrous, but it's exactly what Kyla Williams needs. The thought of supplying a toddler with marijuana sounds ludicrous, but it's exactly what Kyla Williams needs. The two-year-old from Summerland was born with epilepsy and averages 100 seizures a day. During her short lifetime, Kyla has tried everything from a controversial diet to various pharmaceutical cocktails, and nothing worked long term. In fact, the results made her worse in many ways. [continues 232 words]
When Chris and Elaine Nuessler became semi-retired after careers in policing and business, the last thing they ever imagined being was marijuana advocates. But, unfortunately for this Summerland couple, life dealt them a cruel blow when their only granddaughter, Kyla, was born with epilepsy. Since then, the two-year-old's parents, Jared and Courtney Williams, along with the Nuesslers, have been researching, surfing the Internet constantly, speaking with experts and building what's unofficially known as "Kyla's medical team." They've also discovered a ton of red tape along the way. [continues 761 words]
The first medical marijuana growing facility in the Boundary-Similkameen should be in operation within the next couple of months, says MLA Linda Larson. Larson and Penticton MLA Dan Ashton discussed new federal pot legislation and several other topics during a year-end appearance before the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen board. Larson declined to state exactly where the indoor pot facility is located, but noted it is very isolated. "It is a big facility, but you will never find it. You won't know where it is," she said. "It has the highest security you could possibly imagine." [continues 380 words]
Jon Manchester it is obvious that his editorial was written without actual fact checking, using only Ostatus quo' information and his own beliefs (Okanagan Saturday, July 27). You've Obeen told' it's simple to get a doctor's prescription for medical marijuana? You are obviously unaware that marijuana has a wide range of uses and effects. While pain relief and anxiety reduction are two of the better known benefits, the plant is available in over 100 varieties of subtle effects and a knowledgeable user researches those varieties for their own particular relief. [continues 332 words]
Chronic stoners may see the Sensible BC "reeferendum" campaign and federal Liberal leader Justin Trudeau's comments in Kelowna this week as further cause to waste their lives in a purple haze. But the real argument behind relaxation of marijuana laws is not about your right to get high, it's all about taking criminal gangs out of the equation and providing legal weed to medical patients whose conditions are helped by the drug. And taxation - lots and lots of it. [continues 183 words]
Don Pio is authorized to smoke marijuana, and he wants every sheriff and police officer in B.C. to leave him alone. Six months after his arrest for carrying pot into the Kelowna Law Courts, the 35-year-old Kelowna man is suing the provincial sheriffs service and the RCMP. He claims authorities humiliated him and made him suffer by depriving him of his medicine. Pio is allowed to light up to control his nausea, and he wants people in uniform to stop harassing him, he said. [continues 503 words]
Protesters marched along Penticton's Main Street Saturday afternoon, demanding the federal government relax laws on marijuana use. One or two could be seen lighting up, sending the smell of cannabis wafting through the air as about 30 placard-bearers made their way to MP Stockwell Day's office. There, they lined both sides of the road as motorists passed by, some honking their horns in support. Amanda Stewart, who got the protest rolling, said many people in the Okanagan want the government to pass more-liberal laws with respect to marijuana. [continues 283 words]
Cradled by spectacular mountain scenery, B.C.'s first long-term residential treatment centre for addicted youth is on the verge of welcoming its initial group of clients. The Crossing at Keremeos is situated on a 23-hectare site 10 kilometres west of Keremeos. Its 42 beds are expected to be filled by May and will provide respite for teens aged 14 to 18 who need help to overcome a drug or alcohol addiction. While in the program, the kids, whose stays will last six to 12 months, will receive both individual and group therapy, a chance to complete their high school education if needed, and vocational counselling. At present, addicted B.C. teens are flown to facilities in Quebec or New Brunswick. [continues 655 words]
