I've been publicly advocating legalization of marijuana as long as I have been an op-ed writer, approximately 16 years. Since that battle is won, I will not rehash all the reasons. Now that it is upon us, just a few months from implementation, the time has come to move on to practical considerations. Let's start off with what I am not. I am not a pot user. I am not an advocate of people using marijuana. I am not in favour of minors having access to it, legally or not. In terms of helping people not to start, or to use it responsibly, or, more importantly, get off it if they are one of the people who cannot use it responsibly, it has always been my contention regulation should not fall under the purview of the criminal justice system. [continues 479 words]
Illegal medical marijuana dispensaries are not just for big cities anymore. Earlier this month, RCMP made good on a September 2015 Health Canada warning threatening to shut down Martin Medical Services in Whitewood. In a raid on the business and home of owner Jerry Martin November 8, police seized undisclosed quantities of marijuana, hash oil and cash along with cellphones, computers and three vehicles. He is charged with trafficking marijuana, possession of marijuana, trafficking cannabis resin, possession of cannabis resin, possession of proceeds of crime, trafficking proceeds of crime and laundering proceeds of crime. [continues 499 words]
Stephen Harper jumped on his high horse yesterday slamming Liberal leader Justin Trudeau's promise to legalize marijuana. In jurisdictions where marijuana is legal, Harper said, it becomes "more readily available to children, more people become addicted," and there is a decline in health outcomes. "We just think that's the wrong direction for society and I don't think that's the way most Canadians want to deal with this particular problem." This would be a very reasonable position if any of it were remotely true. [continues 474 words]
Houston RCMP recently participated in a four-month, region-wide operation aimed at street-level drug traffickers that resulted in 53 arrests and more than 100 charges. Undercover officers from Queen Charlotte City to Houston purchased a variety of drugs including cocaine, marijuana, crack, morphine and psilocybin. Const. Jagdev Uppal, the project coordinator out of Prince Rupert, said Houston officers arrested three individuals over the past two weeks in connection with the investigation. The operation, entitled Project E-Parkway, is part of a Canada-wide get-tough-on-drugs campaign. [continues 112 words]
A group of First Avenue residents are at their wits' end following repeated break-ins, thefts and other problems since August 2005. "Directly across the alley from us is a known drug house, which most of us in the area believe is where a lot of our problems stem from," said Sandra Ritchie in a letter to Mayor Jim Davidson and council requesting help. Sandra said poor police response has left the residents feeling powerless especially after she and husband Steve found two used syringes in the bed of their truck while clearing their driveway on Oct. 30 and were told by police to simply put the syringes in the garbage. [continues 392 words]
The release of the Solicitor General's 2005 Municipal Crime Rate Report tomorrow has some elected officials, including Mayor Jim Davidson, bracing themselves. The 2004 report released last summer indicated Smithers had the highest crime rate in the province for three years running and prompted Davidson to call for community action in his November inauguration speech. While Davidson maintains the best long-term solution to crime is building a healthy community, he has long suggested that the revolving door at the Smithers courthouse plays a major role in perpetuating the high number of criminal offences committed in the municipality. [continues 1027 words]
A War On Drugs Is Heating Up In The Bulkley Valley. On April 28, Hazelton RCMP busted a marijuana grow operation worth an estimated $100,000 on the street. An adult man was arrested and 100 plants were seized. As reported in the April 19 edition of The Interior News, Hazelton RCMP are aggressively targeting dope dealers in response to a call from council and seven First Nations communities to concentrate police efforts on youth and drugs. The latest raid was the third warrant executed by Hazelton cops in as many weeks but they're not stopping at that. [continues 392 words]
