A legal pot shop will open in Peterborough this summer and what a report that goes to city council Monday night reveals is that most of the local impacts are still unknown. One concern for some municipalities is that they have no say on where marijuana stores locate. It's an old irritation: because municipalities are "creatures of the province" zoning regulations cities normally use to direct where a business can set up shop don't apply. Fortunately, that's not really a concern. [continues 385 words]
Manitobans want municipalities to get half of pot revenue: survey Most Manitobans believe municipalities should get at least half of the revenues raised through recreational pot taxes, a new survey says. A Probe Research poll commissioned by the Association of Manitoba Municipalities found 59% of respondents believe municipal governments should get between one half and all of the tax revenue from marijuana sales. Another 24% felt they should get less than half of the revenue and 16% weren't sure. The total doesn't add up to 100%, due to rounding. [continues 515 words]
Whistler council gives first two readings to zoning amendment bylaw - with more to come The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is starting down the long, legislative road of legal recreational marijuana. At its first meeting of 2018 on Jan. 9, council gave the first two readings to a zoning amendment bylaw concerning cannabis retail, production and distribution - likely the first of many prior to federal legalization of the substance in July. With much still unknown about the full scope of legal cannabis in Canada and B.C., the zoning bylaw is more a preemptive measure than anything - it updates definitions to align with the new federal Cannabis Act, and reinforces the current status quo in Whistler, which limits cannabis production and distribution to a single site in Function Junction (operated by the Whistler Medical Marijuana Corporation). [continues 602 words]
We are just a few months away from marijuana being legal for recreational use in Ontario. For legislators, one of the trickiest aspects of navigating the road to legal pot, has been the question of how to handle/discourage drugged driving. How much pot constitutes too much when it comes to cognitive ability? What's the best way to test for it? A sobering poll, conducted last year by the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), suggests that when it comes to public education on drugged driving, we have a long way to go. [continues 332 words]
At some point this summer, Justin Trudeau expects to make good on his promise to legalize recreational marijuana use across Canada. The Senate thus-far has spoiled Trudeau's plans to kick off Canada Day with a country-wide high, and may yet delay or otherwise thwart speedy implementation of his Cannabis Act. The provinces, meanwhile, are working to flesh out the regulatory details that will govern the sale, purchase, distribution and use of pot across the country. However, the reality of marijuana legalization is fast approaching, raising the question, how do Canadians feel about legal pot now that it is upon us? [continues 553 words]
I happened to spend three days over New Year's in Las Vegas. Work! On the Star's dime! What a pleasure it was to smoke indoors again, a rarity in our world, with all the casinos tobacco-friendly. A city built on vice recognizes that gamblers are smokers and drinkers. But on New Year's Eve, when venturing out onto the Strip, I immediately recoiled from the stench of cannabis. Had forgotten that Nevada is one of eight American states where recreational marijuana is now legal. Clark County, in which Vegas is situated, boats some 80 dispensaries selling recreational (as opposed to medical) pot. Anyone over the age of 21 can buy up to one ounce of cannabis (or one-eighth-ounce of concentrate) at a time. [continues 1022 words]
Will the selling of marijuana in liquor stores result in poor health outcomes, higher health costs and more impaired driving? The answer, according to two credible and well-respected medical professionals, is a resounding "yes," and it's an answer they are trying to get the NDP government to sit up and take notice of. Dr. Perry Kendall, B.C.'s long-serving chief provincial health officer, and Dr. Marcus Lem, the chairman of the Health Officers Council of B.C., are leading the charge against what is a widespread assumption that liquor stores will indeed be the primary outlet for the sales of cannabis once it becomes legal on July 1st. [continues 623 words]
At least 200 potential marijuana retailers have expressed interest in setting up shop in Calgary, says the city official responsible for planning for the impending legalization of recreational cannabis. Matt Zabloski said retail expectations could be getting out of hand, depending on provincial directives on how such shops will be located and regulated - guidelines that should be provided next month. "There are a lot of people putting a lot of money into this now and there are no guarantees," said Zabloski, who's working with as many as 17 city business units to prepare for legalization, expected to take effect this summer. [continues 535 words]
Re: "Sleeping driver found with drugs," Dec. 28. This may well be an indication of what we can expect when marijuana becomes legal next summer, and it should trouble everyone, especially the police. Since pot was legalized in Colorado and Washington states, the number of road deaths have doubled. In Canada, there still is no simple roadside test for impairment by marijuana consumption, as Trudeau placed the cart before the horse by legalizing pot so quickly. Unlike alcohol, which is excreted from the system in about 12 hours, the THC in marijuana that causes someone to get stoned remains in the system for many, many days. This means someone may ended up driving impaired without having smoked marijuana recently, or having smoked a small amount. No wonder the chiefs of police have said they simply are not ready for marijuana legalization. Larry Comeau Ottawa [end]
Re Majority Of Canadians Are Against Legalizing Pot By July 1, Poll Finds (Jan. 3): Since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau first floated his plan to legalize marijuana, the narrative has always been that by cutting out the black market, this would protect children who are at serious risk. Having been a police officer for close to 40 years, this is a leap into fantasy land. Black market pot sales have continued in the states of Colorado and Washington after marijuanalegalization, and they will do so here. [continues 82 words]
Police in Kingston found a driver sleeping with drugs. This may well be an indication of what we can expect when marijuana becomes legal next summer and should trouble everyone, especially the police. Since pot was legalized in Colorado and Washington states the number of road deaths have doubled. In Canada there still is no simple roadside test for impairment by marijuana consumption, as Trudeau placed the cart before the horse by legalizing pot so quickly. Unlike alcohol, which is excreted from the system in about 12 hours, THC in marijuana that causes someone to get stoned remains in the system for many, many days. This means someone may end up driving impaired without having smoked marijuana recently, or having smoked a small amount. No wonder the Chiefs of Police have said they simply are not ready for marijuana legalization! Larry Comeau Ottawa [end]
Edmonton police brace for cannabis legalization Edmonton police will not be ready to enforce cannabis-impaired driving laws in time for legalization, according to chief Rod Knecht. In a year-end interview with Metro, Knecht said he expects to see an uptick in impaired driving in 2018 - but without tools to accurately test for pot the way Breathalyzers test for alcohol, he doesn't know how officers will deal with it. "We are, quite frankly, not the least bit prepared for it," he said. [continues 297 words]
Each new year brings new driving or transportation-related laws in California and 2018 is no exception. We'd like to share these new laws with readers in the next few columns. Marijuana and edible cannabis use in vehicles, Senate Bill 65: Recreational marijuana/cannabis is now legal to be purchased and consumed in certain places, but that doesn't mean you can light up a joint on your daily commute. Consuming cannabis while driving or while riding as a passenger in a vehicle in California is illegal. This new law is similar to the "open container" laws that outlaw drinking alcohol while driving, though having some alcohol in your system while driving isn't outlawed. [continues 92 words]
Re: Half of all pot users shrug off driving risk; Survey. Maura Forrest, Dec. 20 Canadians need to be surveyed on far more marijuana harms than just the risk of driving impaired. Health Canada has identified conditions for which the use of marijuana is strictly contraindicated. Our country's health watchdog advises men to avoid the use of marijuana if they want to start a family. How many Canadians understand the science that links marijuana to a heightened possibility of testicular cancer? How many Canadians are aware of the scientific evidence that suggests marijuana can negatively impact pre and postnatal development, including a link with heavy use and a five fold higher likelihood of distorted facial features as compared to Fetal Alcohol Syndrome babies? Such warnings, provided from Health Canada and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use, are not the rantings of Reefer Madness, but rather statements by highly regarded institutions. Pamela McColl, Vancouver B.C. [end]
UPEI engineering students have designed and developed a THC breathalyzer device A group of UPEI engineering students has come up with a way to help detect levels of marijuana in drivers. The students designed and developed a prototype, handheld THC detection device. But before they consider taking the product or a technological aspect to market, they have some unfinished business to take care of. "We're going to concentrate on graduating first. And then after that, we'll see what happens," said Bryce Stewart of Wood Islands. [continues 684 words]
Legalizing marijuana will tie up police resources and risks clogging the court system, Edmonton police Chief Rod Knecht says in a blunt assessment of Canada's plan to legalize the drug by next summer. "I don't think we're going to be ready," Knecht said during a yearend interview at Edmonton Police Service headquarters. "There's a lot of work that's got to be done in the next few months." Legalization is one of the biggest issues facing police services across the country next year. Police chiefs including Knecht have warned that the timelines are too tight and there are too many outstanding issues, including ambiguity around roadside tests for marijuanaintoxication. [continues 359 words]
During his election campaign, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to legalize marijuana if we chose him as our leader. That day is near, and marijuana might be legalized on Canada Day 2018. Such a decision should not be taken lightly. Our country is not ready for this change. To clarify, I don't want to come across as cynical. I know that medical marijuana has its place in treating patients with chronic or terminal illness. I also don't agree with throwing people in jail for carrying small amounts for personal use. I see this as a waste of time, money and resources. At the same time, however, I don't think that the legalization of marijuana is what our country needs. And I certainly don't think it will make our country healthier, happier or safer. The decision to legalize marijuana has implications for health, society and our youth. [continues 547 words]
Why is the federal government in such a hurry to pass its marijuana legalization legislation when there are still so many questions and so few answers? Just this week, the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police said that the legislation is coming too fast, stating that, "There is insufficient time to prepare the necessary legislative framework and regulations to ensure the public safety". The Canadian Association of Police Chiefs warned that it will be "impossible" to be ready for the government's target of legalizing marijuana by July 2018. Do these things not matter? [continues 193 words]
