Re: "Postpone legal pot, police exhort feds," Sept. 13. The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police seem to see their role as being an obstruction to the implementation of public policy. To this end, they want a delay of at least six months in the legalization of marijuana. They say this is necessary in order to train officers and certify more officers to conduct roadside tests. Their overriding concern with the legalization of marijuana is a dramatic increase in the number of people driving stoned. Let me assure them this will not happen. They can sleep peacefully, without the fear that hordes of stoned zombies are suddenly going to be driving amok on our streets. Nothing is going to change. The simple fact is, people have been getting high for 50 years. The reason marijuana is being legalized is because almost everyone already uses it. [continues 77 words]
Re: "Police say they're not ready for pot-smoking drivers" (Montreal Gazette, Sept. 9) The Quebec government has known for some time that the legalization of recreational marijuana was coming, and yet it finds itself with its back against the wall. It has launched a public consultation process, but when I went on the site, it seemed overly complex. This is not rocket science. Existing laws that deal with tobacco, alcohol and impaired driving should extend to marijuana - including age restrictions. [continues 53 words]
It's difficult to analyze the impact of Ottawa's coming marijuana legislation with studies and numbers and examinations of other jurisdictions. This is the type of social legislation that sparks emotions that can't be allayed with pie charts. There are many thousands, if not millions, of Canadian parents worried this will make it easier for their children to find pot. On the other hand, an untold number of parents are likely to spark one up tonight to relax after the kids head to bed. [continues 680 words]
MANITOBA - Public Insurance announced a new public education campaign against drug-impaired driving on Thursday, with a focus on cannabis ahead of the expected legalization of that substance next year. The campaign, launched in co-operation with Mothers Against Drunk Driving Canada, will include messaging focused on new teen drivers, youth in general, the medical community and the general public, with taglines such as "Think you're a better driver when you're high? Think again." MPI chief administrative officer Ward Keith said the campaign was developed in response to "a number of things that are lining up to give us real concerns about the risk of cannabis-impaired driving" after legalization. [continues 397 words]
Provinces still looking for more direction from federal government B.C.'s top cop says the province remains undecided on how it will tax, distribute and regulate the use of marijuana once the federal government legalizes it next summer. Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said he hopes to hear more ideas from his provincial and federal counterparts Friday as they continue a meeting in Vancouver. Ottawa intends to legalize pot within 10 months, forcing the provinces to develop their own rules. "It's certainly a challenging deadline, not just for British Columbia but all provinces, and I think both ministers and premiers have been saying that to the federal government," Farnworth said Thursday. "We know it is a challenge in B.C., but one we're working toward." [continues 567 words]
Province turns to citizens for consultation on how marijuana should be sold in Saskatchewan Love it or hate it, legislation that legalizes pot in Canada is coming. The provincial government launched a survey last week, seeking the public's response to questions ranging from where and how marijuana should be sold, to a minimum age for users, and priorities when it comes to enforcement and education. These are some of the top concerns for users, sellers, legislators, and law enforcement alike. [continues 691 words]
Associations want zero-tolerance policy for professional drivers regarding pot use Canada's trucking industry is challenging the federal government over standards for marijuana impairment, arguing companies should be able to set zero-tolerance policies because of the safety consequences involved for professional drivers. "(Professional drivers) are sharing their workplace with the public, so the standards they're required to meet should be higher than the average person operating a passenger vehicle because the consequences of them being impaired (are higher)," said Louise Yako, CEO of the B.C. Trucking Association. [continues 456 words]
ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - Canada's public safety minister says the federal government is anxious to legalize marijuana by next summer despite police services saying there's zero chance they'll be ready. Ralph Goodale said Wednesday the Liberals just announced $274 million over the next five years to help with police training and fight the involvement of organized crime. On Tuesday, police from Ontario, Saskatoon and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police told the Commons health committee that they need more time. They say they require an extra six months to a year for proper police training and public education - without which organized crime will flourish. [continues 471 words]
Waterloo Regional Police Chief Bryan Larkin says police are gearing up for the July 1 deadline when pot will be legal in Canada but he says there is "trepidation and worry" about the upcoming law. Larkin, who is president of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, said any new legislation and public policy brings "a lot of trepidation" and "a lot of worry." Police are preparing for the July 1 deadline. However, Larkin agrees with other police services and associations who say the date is arbitrary. [continues 321 words]
When police tell them to "slow down," good citizens comply. Not so the federal government, which is ignoring a very reasonable call from Canada's police services to slow down on its overly ambitious plan to legalize recreational marijuana as of next July 1. The plea from the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, Ontario Provincial Police and Saskatoon Police Services was delivered Tuesday to the House of Commons health committee, which is studying the federal legislation that will legalize cannabis. [continues 417 words]
There have to be restrictions; there have to be some controls as we navigate this brave new world of legalization. Without question, the Ontario government's plan to regulate marijuana once the drug is legalized makes eminent sense. There's no doubt that Canada is entering uncharted waters; caution should be the watchword. We are, for the first time, legalizing the recreational use of a street drug whose broader long-term impact on the population remains uncertain and the last thing we need is to plunge into this with careless abandon. [continues 543 words]
Without question, the Ontario government's plan to regulate marijuana once the drug is legalized makes eminent sense. There's no doubt that Canada is entering unchartered waters; caution should be the watchword. We are, for the first time, legalizing the recreational use of a street drug whose broader long-term impact on the population remains uncertain and the last thing we need is to plunge into this with careless abandon. No, the provincial Liberals are not taking us back to the 1950s with the measures they have announced to control the sale of cannabis. The government is simply taking it one step at a time, and it is the right strategy. [continues 459 words]
Without question, the Ontario government's plan to regulate marijuana once the drug is legalized makes eminent sense. There's no doubt that Canada is entering unchartered waters; caution should be the watchword. We are, for the first time, legalizing the recreational use of a street drug whose broader long-term impact on the population remains uncertain and the last thing we need is to plunge into this with careless abandon. No, the provincial Liberals are not taking us back to the 1950s with the measures they have announced to control the sale of cannabis. The government is simply taking it one step at a time, and it is the right strategy. [continues 502 words]
One thing for sure, in releasing these pot rules before any other province, Premier Kathleen Wynne is showing how anxious she is to get her hands on this 'new revenue tool' to fund her insatiable spending addiction. Rules are one thing, but enforcing them will be nightmarish for the police, that will need to run around with gram scales to ensure nobody has more than allowable personal use marijuana. Saying nobody under 19 can buy or process pot is easy, but we all know the success the province has had keeping legalized alcohol and cigarettes out of the hands of our young people. [continues 191 words]
The Ontario government seems determined to repeat the mistakes of the past by giving a new state-run monopoly total control over the sales of marijuana Ontario's Liberal government deserves a lot of credit for finally loosening up the province's antiquated and paternalistic system for selling wine and beer. It's made it easier for consumers to purchase alcohol safely and responsibly, while also being treated more like actual adults. Now, though, the government seems determined to repeat the mistakes of the past by giving a new state-run monopoly total control over the sales of recreational marijuana when it becomes legal next July. [continues 650 words]
Fewer than one in 10 Canadians are buying the federal government's argument that legalizing marijuana will lead to lower consumption levels among young Canadians, a new poll has found. In addition, a majority of Canadians doubt the new system to legally distribute marijuana to adults across Canada will be fully operational by July 1, 2018, which is the Liberal government's deadline to end the 94-year-old prohibition on the drug. The results of The Globe and Mail/Nanos survey highlight the challenges facing the Liberal government in convincing the public on the soundness of its policy, which is a centrepiece of its mandate. [continues 614 words]
Minister refuses to weigh in on Ontario's regulation pitch OTTAWA- The federal government appears ready to take a hands-off approach as provinces begin rolling out how they plan to police the sale and use of marijuana once it becomes legal. Ontario last week became the first province to unveil its plans for handling legalized pot by announcing that it would closely mimic the province's current system for liquor. Marijuana will be sold at 150 dedicated stores run by the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, it will only be sold to those aged 19 or over and consumption will be allowed only in private residences. [continues 295 words]
Approach to legal marijuana 'very Canadian,' Bradley says Sarnia's lack of private marijuana dispensaries could mean the border city takes a back seat when cannabis stores operated by the liquor control board open shop, Sarnia's mayor says. "That may mean we're not on the original list," said Mike Bradley. Those stores - up to 150 expected by 2020 - are part of a new provincial plan for legal pot unveiled Friday which also restricts purchases, possession and use in Ontario to people 19 and older as of July 1, 2018, the legalization date set by Ottawa. [continues 508 words]
Government-controlled outlets, website only place weed will be bought legally Premier Kathleen Wynne is cornering Ontario's recreational marijuana market by restricting sales to 150 LCBO-run stores. The stand-alone cannabis outlets, separate from provincially owned liquor stores, and a government-controlled website will be the only place weed can lawfully be sold after Ottawa legalizes it on July 1. In a move that will close scores of illegal "dispensaries" that now dot Ontario cities, the LCBO will get its product from the medical marijuana producers licenced by Health Canada. [continues 492 words]
Liberals unveil long-awaited legislation to regulate marijuana in Ontario Three senior Ontario cabinet stalwarts assured the public Friday that their plan to roll out storefront and online government pot stores will not compromise community safety or health. Attorney General Yasir Naqvi, Finance Minister Charles Sousa and Health Minister Dr. Eric Hoskins defended a new recreational pot monopoly to be run by the same folks that oversee alcohol sales - the LCBO. At the same time, the government is putting "illegal" pot dispensaries, which have popped up throughout the city offering a variety of marijuana products, "on notice" that there will be a crackdown, Naqvi said. [continues 344 words]
