Alberta's police chiefs are feeling "overwhelmed" figuring out how to adjust policing practices ahead of marijuana legalization, Edmonton police Chief Rod Knecht said. "The timelines are extremely tight," Knecht said outside an Edmonton Police Commission meeting at city hall on Thursday. In an open letter, the Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police warned the scheduled July 1, 2018, legalization leaves "insufficient time for the full consideration necessary in the creation of the regulatory framework to ensure the safety of Albertans." [continues 232 words]
With 7 1/2 months until marijuana becomes legal in Canada, a group of Saskatchewan researchers hopes to help inform the complicated policy-making process the provincial government faces in the months to come. The Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGS), based at universities in Regina and Saskatoon, has released a report, Legalizing & Regulating Cannabis in Saskatchewan. The provincial government is responsible for setting up all of the details of a legal cannabis industry, and should have most of the work in place by June 30. [continues 379 words]
With 7 1/2 months until marijuana becomes legal in Canada, a group of Saskatchewan researchers hopes to help inform the complicated policy-making process the provincial government faces in the months to come. The Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGS), based at universities in Regina and Saskatoon, has released a report, Legalizing & Regulating Cannabis in Saskatchewan. The provincial government is responsible for setting up all of the details of a legal cannabis industry, and should have most of the work in place by June 30. [continues 607 words]
Provincial legislation calls for government-run stores, zero tolerance for DUIs MONTREAL- The rollout of legislation governing the legal marijuana regime in Quebec was likely a downer for pot enthusiasts in a province widely known for its European sensibilities and liberal mores. To call it a buzzkill would set bloodshot eyes rolling, but the Quebec government unveiled plans to create what is likely to be one of the most restrictive regimes so far in the country. In introducing the legislation to reporters, even Public Health Minister Lucie Charlebois admitted that the province was dragged out of the prohibition era much too quickly by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government. [continues 593 words]
Safe-driving activists, pot dispensers and businesses all have their own views Two cannabis activists aren't impressed with the marijuana legalization plan Quebec announced Thursday. But a group that works to decrease impaired driving praised the proposed legislation. Here's a look at some of the reaction to Bill 157: Marc-Boris St-Maurice, a longtime pot activist and founder of the Montreal Compassion Centre medical-marijuana dispensary: "Their plan is still half-baked," he said, noting guidelines announced Thursday are in a draft bill that might change. [continues 849 words]
B.C. lobbying to preserve producers' licences as hectic spring looms While the New Democrats prepare to do their share on marijuana legalization, they are also lobbying Ottawa to preserve the province's position as one of the leading producers of what has been called B.C.'s largest cash crop. "The reality is this," said solicitor general Mike Farnworth, lead minister on the file for B.C. "We have had in this province an industry that's been in place for a very long time. Some of it underpins the economy, for example, no surprise, in the Kootenays, certain parts of Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the coast." [continues 837 words]
The busywork of readying the country for legalized cannabis continues apace, and Ottawa has gotten around to mapping out the murky territory that is stoned driving. Proposed legislative changes would create a two-tiered approach to setting the maximum amount of THC, cannabis's main psychoactive element, allowable in drivers' blood. Motorists measured with two to five nanograms of THC per millilitre of blood within two hours of being stopped would be subjected to a fine; those above would be treated criminally, mirroring the way many provinces deal with alcohol and driving. [continues 270 words]
Marijuana to be legal across Canada July 1 Alberta is putting the legislative pieces in place for legalized marijuana, starting with changes to align its rules with pending Criminal Code amendments. "Impaired driving is the leading cause of criminal death and injury in Canada," Transportation Minister Brian Mason said Tuesday after introducing Bill 29 in the legislature. "If this bill passes, it will support our government's goal of zero impairment (and) related collisions and fatalities on Alberta roads." Marijuana is to be legal across Canada as of July 1, and the federal government is revising and toughening criminal charges for impaired driving to include cannabis and mixing cannabis with alcohol while behind the wheel. [continues 366 words]
Liberals ignoring concerns about decriminalizing pot On April 13, the Liberal government introduced legislation that would allow for the recreational use of marijuana for Canadians over the age of 18, and eliminate penalties for possession of marijuana (up to five grams) for those between the ages of 12 and 18. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his government have repeated time and time again that the aim of this legislation is to protect our children and increase public safety. However, neither of these goals is accomplished with this legislation. This is not just my view. In a recent Angus Reid poll, approximately two in three Canadians (66 per cent) said they believe that this legislation fails to prevent young people from using marijuana more than they already do. [continues 456 words]
Police say they're satisfied with provincial legislation Calgary There is currently zero tolerance for any alcohol in the system of a new driver in Alberta, and the province announced it intends to extend that ban to include marijuana. Alberta began putting the legislative pieces in place for legalized marijuana on Tuesday, starting with changes to align its rules with pending federal Criminal Code amendments. "Impaired driving is the leading cause of criminal death and injury in Canada,'' Transportation Minister Brian Mason said after introducing Bill 29 in the legislature. "If this bill passes, it will support our government's goal of zero impairment (and) related collisions and fatalities on Alberta roads.'' [continues 355 words]
Canada's proposed overhaul of federal impaired-driving rules could unfairly criminalize medical-cannabis users, according to an open letter to Ottawa signed by more than 50 criminal-defence lawyers. The letter, which warns that medical-marijuana users could be unfairly punished under the proposed system, underscores the challenges to preventing high driving. Experts are divided on just how much THC - the principal psychoactive compound of cannabis - would make someone impaired, and the government is still developing a reliable way to conduct a roadside test. [continues 599 words]
Police chief warns CBRM to plan ahead for marijuana legislation Once the federal government legalizes cannabis, it may or may not be OK to smoke marijuana while walking down the street. According to Cape Breton Regional Police Chief Peter McIsaac, it is far too soon to predict exactly how the new regulations will affect the consumption, availability, distribution and enforcement of cannabis products and their use here in Cape Breton. "There are still so many unanswered questions, but like it or not, agree with it or not, cannabis is coming and we need to prepare for it as a municipality," McIsaac said during a recent address to Cape Breton Regional Municipality councillors at city hall. [continues 753 words]
Alberta will introduce legislation as soon as next week to allow the establishment of private cannabis stores, and will also launch a battle with Ottawa over how to split the tax revenue from the drug sales. Late Friday, Alberta Finance Minister Joe Ceci held a news conference to slam the federal government's proposal that Ottawa get 50 per cent of the excise tax on marijuana products. The provinces and territories would receive the other half. Ottawa's claim to a large share of the $1 a gram, or 10 per cent of the producer's sale price, is not fair, Mr. Ceci contends. The provinces and municipalities, not Ottawa, will be responsible for related costs, such as policing, education and other implementation work. [continues 575 words]
Mayor Dan Mathieson said it was to be expected that Stratford wasn't included in the first wave of municipalities chosen by the province to have government-run marijuana outlets by next year. But more information will be needed from upper levels of governments, he added, to determine the real impacts the rollout of the proposed legislation will have in the city and whether not being included in the first wave was a positive or negative development. The province announced last week the first cities where the province will open stand-alone LCBO-like stores that will be authorized to sell pot. [continues 509 words]
The province should develop a licensing regime to allow for designated cannabis-consumption lounges when marijuana becomes legal next year, say Victoria councillors. "We're seeing a need for it in our community right now, as there are lounges that are operating illegally based on our regulations and current laws," said Coun. Jeremy Loveday. The recommendation will be part of a suite of suggestions the city will forward to the province for consideration as it crafts regulations governing the production, sale and use of marijuana, which the federal government plans to make legal by next summer. [continues 497 words]
Re: "Feds want to tax weed at $1 per gram plus GST," Nov. 10. When Justin Trudeau first floated his plan to legalize marijuana, he claimed this was the best way to keep it away from young people, who are at great risk, by cutting out blackmarket sales. Now, with his plan to reap revenue through heavy taxes, Trudeau is ensuring organized crime groups will become involved in illicit sales of the drug. High taxes on cigarettes have had the same illicit sales results. [continues 68 words]
MANITOBANS are learning it will be their mayor and local council who will decide if legal retail cannabis can be sold in their communities next summer. Notwithstanding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's promise to legalize pot nationally by July 1, and Premier Brian Pallister's months of accusing Ottawa of moving too fast, it turns out it will be a local decision. Municipal councils found out Tuesday, and Pallister's office confirmed Wednesday, that the province is giving them the same local power over pot as they have over Sunday shopping. [continues 927 words]
There are still some big questions and concerns to figure out before July 1 The end of Prohibition gave birth to the LCBO nearly a century ago. Now the legalization of marijuana is giving rise to the OCRC: Ontario Cannabis Retail Corporation. That's about as awkward an acronym - if not anachronism - as the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. While today's LCBO has become a brand in its own right, it's fair to say the OCRC will never become a household word. [continues 762 words]
The federal government is moving on a number of fronts as it pushes toward the legalization of cannabis by next summer, including launching public consultations on the proposed excise tax of $1 a gram. In addition, federal officials are putting the finishing touches on complex regulations that will set the rules for the production and distribution of cannabis "from seed to sale." Once they are made public in coming weeks, the regulations will be the subject of separate consultations, with the government seeking input of everyone from producers to consumers to health experts. [continues 617 words]
Group against drunk driving says injuries, deaths due to driving high likely to increase after pot use is legalized in Canada next summer Crashes caused by drivers high on pot are likely to spike after the drug is legalized next summer, MADD Canada says. American states that have already approved the use of marijuana have seen sharp increases in fatal accidents in which a driver was impaired by the drug, MADD's western region manager for chapter services said Sunday. "That's certainly been the experience in Washington state and Colorado, and we will probably see an increase in deaths and injuries related to cannabis use here after it's legalized next July," Tracy Crawford said after a MADD-hosted candlelight vigil for victims of impaired driving. [continues 349 words]
