It may come as a surprise to most British Columbians, but marijuana is still illegal. I say it may come as a surprise because today you can't throw a bong in downtown Vancouver without hitting a medical marijuana dispensary. Squamish has, of course, followed suit and our little burg has its own dispensaries serving primo ganja to happy customers. But, it is still illegal, according to the federal government. You need to have a valid medical prescription from a doctor to buy it and some sort of licence, according to the law. [continues 353 words]
Like many, I was disappointed Bryan Raiser was forced to shut down his medical marijuana dispensary and is now dispensing only information. Not only do I believe marijuana should be made easily available to those who are sick and use it as medicine, but I also have leanings that it should be legalized, like alcohol. Heck, for a whole schwack of the population, I actually think it should be legally mandated. Amongst that group are the folks who have been speaking ill of our local RCMP for having the incredible audacity to do the thing that, y'know, they're paid to do. [continues 304 words]
As this column is being written, mayors and councillors from across the province are at the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) convention debating a call for the decriminalization of marijuana. Don't take out your bongs and blunts in celebration just yet - it is only a debate, but it's at least getting the subject and arguments out in the open. The times are a-changing, to be sure, and to quote Bob Dylan - which is totally appropriate... and also because I couldn't find a way to work a Bob Marley song lyric in there. In the past, the pro-marijuana side consisted mainly of those in the counterculture (read: unwashed, long-haired stoners, students and the like) who led protests and demonstrations, but otherwise couldn't really affect change. [continues 338 words]
Legislation proposed last week by Justice Minister Martin Cauchon to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, may just free some time for local law enforcers, according to police officials. The legislation, if passed, would decriminalize possession of up to 15 grams of pot, making it a ticketable offense rather than something that could give users a criminal record. However, the new law also proposes stiffer sentences for growers and dealers of marijuana. The government has pledged $250 million for a five-year education and enforcement program to alleviate fears that the 'decriminalization' would increase pot use in Canada. [continues 136 words]
They are found wherever people hang out. In bars, at raves, restaurants and after-hours clubs, so-called date-rape drugs are increasingly becoming just another hazard of going out for an evening. Recently in Whistler, two women apparently fell victim to the effects of date-rape drugs in as many weeks. Dale Schweighhardt, president of the Whistler Food and Beverage Association, said instances of such attacks are becoming a matter of fact for those who enjoy the social side of night life. [continues 374 words]
Event Aims To Improve Youngsters' Decision-Making Skills Last Thursday, May 23, parents, grand parents, family and friends joined this year's Grade 6 students in the Myrtle Philip Community School gym for DARE Graduation. Seventy-six DARE students graduated from the program this year. DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a drug and violence prevention program developed by health education specialists and is delivered by trained, uniformed police officers for a period of 17 weeks. Throughout the 17-week program, the students learn about peer pressure, different ways to say no, decision-making skills, consequences, influences of media, self esteem and avoiding violence. It is the hope of the police that the students will remember some of these skills as they grow up and face some of the challenges during their teenage years. [continues 93 words]
It's well known that Ross Rebagliati has smoked marijuana. The whole world knew it shortly after that fateful day in 1998 when, after winning the first-ever Olympic gold medal in snowboarding, he tested positive for traces of cannabis in his system, and subsequently admitted that he had used the stuff. At the time, he said the detection of the substance was likely the result of second-hand smoke he inhaled at a pre-Olympic party. Well, it seems Mr. Rebagliati's past just won't go away. Last week, while boarding a plane headed to Las Vegas for a show to promote his artwork (partly to support the Canadian snowboarding team), he was denied entry to the United States - not because he had been convicted of any drug-related crimes (he hadn't), but because, as a result of admitting that he had used marijuana in the past, U.S. officials had tagged him as someone to watch out for. [continues 310 words]
Escaping your past can be a difficult thing, especially if you happen to be Olympic gold medalist and hometown hero Ross Rebagliati. The 30-year-old Rebagliati was stopped, Jan. 27, by a United States customs officer as he tried to board a flight to Las Vegas to attend a trade show. Rebagliati said the officer told him a note had been entered on the customs computer system identifying him by name and face as a person who is prohibited from entering the United States. [continues 658 words]
It may be difficult to see, and even more difficult to believe, but local health officials say there is an IV drug problem in the Sea to Sky corridor. When presenting the Provincial Health Officers Annual Report to Pemberton Village Council, June 5, Dr. Paul Martiquet informed councillors of the severity of the problem. "There is a big intravenous drug problem in Pemberton," he said. "It may not be evident or visible, but it is there just the same." But Marilyn McIvor, public health nursing manager for Coast Garibaldi Health, maintains IV drug use is a problem in all communities. [continues 183 words]
