A medical marijuana dispensary owner has been charged following a police raid of the business. Vice and drug officers - armed with a search warrant - arrived at the Royal Farmacy on Main Street East at Kenilworth Avenue around 1 p.m. Tuesday, where they seized $20,000 worth of marijuana and marijuana products, including edibles. Owner Shane Hansen wasn't in at the time, but he got a call from his wife and came down right away. "They left all my other staff alone, which was good. I came down. They didn't handcuff me. Honestly, the cops get a really get bad rap, but they were as respectful and cordial and polite as they could be." [continues 320 words]
When the recreational use of marijuana becomes legal in Canada in the next few years, how old should you have to be to join in the fun? This issue - the legal age for buying and consuming cannabis - is the biggest single challenge facing the federal Liberals as they rewrite the law on this popular, but potentially harmful, drug. A federal task force this week provided 80 recommendations for opening up the market for recreational pot. Most of the suggestions, which include permitting storefront and mail-order sales as well as allowing individuals to buy or carry up to 30 grams for personal use, are both reasonable and workable. [continues 405 words]
City councillors have given public health the green light to study the possibility of bringing safe injection sites to Hamilton. The pitch for such a study was first made to the Board of Health earlier this year, in light of a deadly opioid crisis that has led to a spike in overdoses across the country. In Ontario, where overdose deaths are the third-leading cause of accidental death, someone dies of an overdose every 13 hours. "These are entirely preventable deaths," says Dr. Jessica Hopkins, associate medical officer of health. [continues 361 words]
Considering that the Trudeau government already has a growing problem with election promises, the last thing it wants is to wobble on marijuana legalization, which will come to fruition sometime in early to mid-2017. A task force, bureaucrats and politicians are working a legislative framework to go before Parliament next spring with a rollout plan to follow. But there are a couple of large flashing yellow lights on the road to legalization that the government needs to come to grips with first. [continues 388 words]
The city has found a funding partner to help study if Hamilton should offer supervised injection sites for drug users. A report that goes to councillors this week says the anticipated $250,000 cost of a study can be cut to around $90,000 thanks to a proposed partnership with a health program and institute at McMaster University. The report also shows 84 per cent of 1,690 respondents to a community survey supported the idea of having a supervised injection site in Hamilton. [continues 83 words]
Inmates already facing drug charges: police Body scanner technology is up and running at the Barton Jail, as part of the province's efforts to combat smuggling. More than 1,750 Hamilton Wentworth Detention Centre (HWDC) inmates have gone through the scanner since it was activated on Sept. 6, according to the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. "Three positive body scans have resulted in criminal charges for three HWDC inmates by the Hamilton Police Service," ministry spokesperson Andrew Morrison said in an email. [continues 612 words]
Federal plan hits roadblocks from provinces, territories over road safety concerns at justice ministers' meeting HALIFAX - The federal government's plan to legalize marijuana has some provincial politicians raising concerns about drug-impaired driving. Three provincial justice ministers made a point of highlighting the issue Friday at the conclusion of a meeting in Halifax between federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson Raybould and her provincial and territorial counterparts. Ontario Attorney General Yasir Naqvi was the first to bring it up during a news conference, saying his province is also keen to ensure there are measures to protect youth and focus on harm reduction. [continues 394 words]
There's an addiction crisis: Morality has no place here. This is a health issue. Period. As Hamiltonians begin to debate the possibility of introducing safe injection sites in our city, it is important to understand that Canada and the United States are in the grips of an addiction crisis like we have never seen in our history. This problem is complex; it is not going to go away easily, and it is not going to be defeated by punishing addicts. [continues 758 words]
As they study the feasibility of opening safer injection sites in Hamilton, the city is seeking feedback from the community. A survey - posted online at www.hamilton.ca/VAN - will be open from Oct. 5 to 26 for anyone who lives or works in the city. The feedback gathered through the survey will "help inform next steps" as the city considers whether safer injection sites would be an effective harm reduction service in Hamilton, in the wake of a nationwide opioid overdose crisis. [continues 104 words]
Each day 700 people line up to get into the Insite supervised safer injection facility in Vancouver. They come to inject pre-obtained heroin and cocaine in a clean environment, with clean needles, under the watchful eye of nurses, addiction doctors, counsellors and peer volunteers. Between 60 and 100 clients overdose at Insite each month. Yet not one of the three million intravenous drug users (IDU) who have been to Insite has died since the harm-reduction clinic opened in 2003. Does Insite save lives? Yes. Would a similar site in Hamilton save lives? Likely. This answers just one of many questions our community has as our public health officials, city councillors, addiction community members and neighbourhood associations wrestle with the proposal of a supervised injection site for Hamilton. But it is the biggest question. [continues 618 words]
Hamilton police have raided another medical marijuana dispensary and seized about $75,000 worth of merchandise. Officers from the vice and drug unit executed a search warrant on MMJ-Canada's Urban Dispensary at 118 George St., in Hess Village, on Tuesday. The raid yielded marijuana and cannabis resin, shatter (cannabis extract), THC-infused syrup, soft drinks and edibles. A 35-year-old Hamilton man, whom police "believe" was the operator of the business, is charged with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and possession of cannabis resin for the purpose of trafficking. [continues 371 words]
Drug problem 'already in everybody's backyard,' physician says Advocates of safe injection sites for intravenous drug users in Hamilton believe they face an uphill battle in gaining public acceptance for the idea. But they feel the effort is worth it. "I don't expect it will be easy. I've already had one particular communication that was rather disturbing. I'm sure it won't be the only one," said Ward 2 Coun. Jason Farr, whose ward would likely end up with a site if the city allows them. [continues 394 words]
Moral dilemmas, NIMBY-ism and budgets pose obstacles Coun. Donna Skelly was curious what safe injection places for drug addicts look like. So Dr. Jessica Hopkins, Hamilton associate medical officer of health, drew her attention to slides of the Insite facility in Vancouver, one of two legally operating injection sites in Canada, both in Gastown. It has subdued lighting and shiny floors. It has mirrored booths where junkies can shoot up with heroin or any other illegal drugs they get their shaky hands on. [continues 612 words]
Hamilton will join the vanguard of Ontario cities studying whether to give drug users a legal, supervised site to inject opioids such as heroin. The board of health voted Monday to study supervised injection sites - so long as the cost fits within the 2017 budget. But the panel asked for emphasis on public consultation in areas that could host such a centre. The vote was one of several Monday that will move the city from laggard to provincial pioneer in public health "harm reduction" strategies, including a decision to offer free, clean crack pipes and potentially expanding distribution of anti-overdose kits. [continues 607 words]
RE: Time to get tough on drugs (Sept. 7) I am appalled by the response of the letter writer complaining about the need to talk about drug overdose prevention. It is ignorance like those views expressed that allow the stigma to continue. Talking about it and making people aware of the escalating problem is how we start to save lives. Not all those addicted to drugs got that way from their own choosing. A large percentage of people are addicted to prescription narcotics and opioids prescribed by their own doctor! [continues 70 words]
Family told airport security in Persian Gulf nation found bag with trace amounts of pot A Hamilton mother is asking Canadians to put pressure on local MPs in support of her daughter, a 27-year-old teacher imprisoned in the United Arab Emirates. "All I want is for her to be supported," said Joanne Augustyn, mother of Heather Augustyn, who was imprisoned in the UAE on Aug. 26 after a random search by airport security. She was returning to teach elementary school at the Abu Dhabi International Private School, where she had started working a year ago after graduating from Western University. [continues 397 words]
RE: international Overdose Prevention Day Whoever came up with this idea? Must be some bureaucrat with nothing else to do. Having a bunch of people talking about this will not prevent some person from overdosing on their preferred drugs. What is needed is the type of advertisement now used regarding using your phone while driving. Show the results of drug use. Those already addicted won't pay any attention but it might help keep others from starting. And the police must start serious raiding of suspected illegal drug labs and the courts must start pronouncing serious sentencing of those found guilty. It is time we quit mollycoddling drug users and criminal drug makers. Barry Kennington, Hamilton [end]
TORONTO - A Hamilton medical marijuana physician has been handed a three-month suspension for misconduct. Dr. Ira Price pleaded no contest to allegations heard by the discipline committee of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, including altering a medical record and misleading a college investigator. "The college relies on the honesty of its members in achieving self governance," committee chair Pamela Chart said during Price's official reprimand Monday. "Any failure to be completely honest with the college in its investigative process undermines professional regulation and the public's confidence in the profession." [continues 405 words]
Draft regulations consider freelance dispensaries illegal It turns out police have already raided at least two Hamilton storefront medical marijuana sellers this year. The raids raise questions about the fate of all self-styled dispensaries in the city - particularly since newly released draft regulations for medical marijuana now specifically label freelance storefront sellers as illegal. The owner of a King Street East medical marijuana dispensary, Bright Moments, was the first to publicize an apparent local police raid in July. Luke Williams argued at the time the shop catered to "800 patients who are sick, who have prescriptions, who need help." He said he didn't understand why police would crack down in the midst of a federal effort to rewrite marijuana regulations. [continues 320 words]
Dashminder Deol was too scared to call 911 over fears of facing criminal charges IF DASHMINDER DEOL had just called an ambulance, might Harmanjit Singh still be alive? It is impossible to say whether paramedics would have been able to save 19-year-old Singh from a fentanyl and cocaine overdose in October 2014 - but it is worth questioning why Deol chose not to call 911 when his friend was in trouble. Because he is not alone. A 2012 study by the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council found that fewer than half of respondents would call 911 in an overdose situation, citing potential criminal charges - and fear of the justice system - as a major barrier. [continues 546 words]
Owner optimistic it can reopen Sept. 1 if court case goes as planned Brighter Moments Dispensary has turned off the lights - for now. The marijuana dispensary on King Street East near Ferguson Avenue was raided by Hamilton police July 21. Four days after vowing to stay open, owner Luke Williams was advised by his legal counsel that his decision could put him behind bars until his first court appearance at the end of August. If court proceedings go according to plan, they could be operating in brick and mortar by Sept. 1, Williams said. [continues 162 words]
Owner says he'll plead not guilty to three trafficking charges A downtown marijuana dispensary was raided by police Thursday, but was open again Friday. Brighter Moments Dispensary set up shop on King Street East near Ferguson Avenue last September offering to sell medical marijuana products exclusively to patients with prescriptions. The dispensary had operated "without incident" for several months until eight police officers with a warrant searched the facility around 2 p.m., said Cory Kaus, who identified himself as a patient and volunteer operator. [continues 418 words]
Ontario makes overdose-blocking naloxone available at pharmacies for users and their families For the first time in Ontario, family and friends of opioid users will be able to pick up naloxone kits for free from pharmacies. In the midst of what they're calling an opioid crisis, local addictions experts are thrilled with recent undertakings by the province to make a life-saving opioid antidote more accessible to those at risk of overdose. Previously available only by prescription and through public health unit programs, kits with injectable naloxone - which blocks the effects of opioids to reverse the effects of an overdose - will now be available free at Ontario pharmacies, and will also be offered to anyone being discharged from a provincial corrections facility - including the Barton Street Jail. [continues 693 words]
OTTAWA - The New Democrats are urging the Liberal government to decriminalize pot before they legalize it. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau campaigned on a promise to legalize, regulate and restrict access to marijuana, and his government plans to get started next spring. Meanwhile, the existing criminal law remains on the books and police are expected to enforce it. The NDP is introducing an opposition day motion on Monday calling on the House of Commons to recognize there is a contradiction in giving people criminal records for something the government has said should not be a crime. [continues 290 words]
The City's Texture Is Dulled by the Passing of One of Its Most Colourful Characters This city's election campaigns will never be the same without Michael Baldasaro, who sadly died this week at age 67 after a brief bout with cancer. For decades the pot-smoking bushy-bearded Church of the Universe minister was the undisputed king of Hamilton's political fringe, a forerunner in a field which in recent years has become much more crowded. Whether sporting his towering Cat in the Hat stovepipe or crocheted Rasta skull cap, Baldasaro's presence and off-beat commentary provided a welcome touch of comic relief which never failed to entertain voters at town halls and candidates' debates. [continues 500 words]
'True champion of Hamilton': mayor Hamilton's own prince of pot and effervescent candidate for political office is being remembered as a kind and colourful soul dedicated to making his city a better place. Michael Baldasaro, a longtime advocate for marijuana legalization, died Thursday morning in hospice after a short battle with cancer. He was 67. Baldasaro, a minister in the Hamilton-based Church of the Universe, made it his mission to help the downtrodden and disadvantaged, said congregant Rev. Juliet Boyd. [continues 1035 words]
Chief says many not clearly marked with contents in brownies TORONTO - "Genuine" health concerns and "significant" community complaints prompted a string of police raids on unregulated marijuana dispensaries across Toronto, the city's police chief explained Friday after being criticized by a number of residents for the action. Police Chief Mark Saunders emphasized that operation "Project Claudia" would not prevent anyone with a prescription for medical marijuana from accessing the drug. "I want to be very clear about our intentions," he said at a news conference that drew a mix of journalists and marijuana activists. [continues 507 words]
A coalition of marijuana dispensaries says the City of Toronto and its police force made a "major mistake" when they targeted dozens of pot shops and are calling for charges to be dropped against those arrested during the raids last week. The Toronto Dispensaries Coalition says the majority of the shops offer high-quality medical cannabis products to those who need them. "The city needs to realize that they have made a major mistake, that they're ruining the lives of people that have families, that have futures," coalition spokesperson Adolfo Gonzalez said Monday. [continues 326 words]
RE: Ottawa moves to ban menthol cigarettes (April 30) I was appalled and convinced that our federal officials are already on marijuana or possibly something stronger after reading this article. The government says steering young people away from that first cigarette is one of the most effective means of reducing lifetime smokers. Maybe providing pot is the answer. It's proven addictive and, most important, it will be revenue-generating - not to mention more life-ruining events on our highways to compound our problem with drinking and driving. Bruce Doyle, Hamilton [end]
Growers Have Been Told To Solve Bylaw Standoff With City Or Leave The owner of a bar-turned-medicinal pot grow-op in east Hamilton has told tenants to "solve" a bylaw standoff with the city or get out. The city only learned the former Boomers bar and strip club on Kenilworth Avenue North had quietly morphed into a medical marijuana facility after residents complained about pungent odours wafting down the street. Police investigated, but found the growers had three federal licences to cultivate and store medical marijuana. The city has issued a zoning violation giving the owner until June 20 to either stub out pot production or apply for rezoning. [continues 525 words]
Federally Licensed Grow-Op on Kenilworth Slapped With Zoning Violation After Complaints From Neighbours of Strong Smell Municipal bylaw enforcement is trying to shut down a federally licensed medical marijuana grow-op that set up shop on Kenilworth Avenue North without the city's knowledge. Coun. Sam Merulla said he asked bylaw and Hamilton police to investigate in late March after residents complained about a "strong smell" of pot around the former Boomers Bar and Grill, which backs onto a street of small homes. [continues 535 words]
Report Says Possible Infiltration By Organized Crime Is A Key Issue Legalizing marijuana won't automatically make Canada's black market for weed go up in smoke or banish organized crime, warns a draft federal discussion paper on regulation of the drug. Justin Trudeau's Liberal government says a legal marijuana regime will keep pot out of the hands of children and deny criminals the profits of illicit dealing. However, the December draft paper, obtained by The Canadian Press through the Access to Information Act, flags the ongoing involvement of organized crime - including possible infiltration of the new system - - as a key issue the government must confront. [continues 311 words]
As Canada prepares to legalize marijuana, police anxious for device to measure impairment Companies developing breathalyzers to detect marijuana's main psychoactive ingredient in suspected cannabis-impaired drivers appear to be entering a crowded field as Canada prepares to legalize pot. Health Minister Jane Philpott announced Wednesday at a special United Nations session on drugs that legislation to begin the process of legalizing and regulating pot will be introduced next spring. A University of British Columbia engineering professor is the latest to create a breathalyzer she says can detect THC levels in the breath of someone who has smoked pot. [continues 546 words]
Says Government Should Pardon Possession Convicts Justin Trudeau's government should consider pardoning people convicted of pot possession - and drop any outstanding charges - to free up much-needed resources for legalization of the drug, says a prominent think-tank. In a newly released policy paper, the C.D. Howe Institute also recommends the government focus on achieving public-health goals and avoiding a black market. The Liberals have promised to legalize, regulate and restrict access to marijuana to keep it out of the hands of children while denying criminals the financial profits. [continues 413 words]
Court Trashes Harper Laws In decisions released last week, Canada's Supreme Court has accomplished two things. First, it has cocked a snook - again - at the law-and-order agenda of Stephen Harper's previous Conservative government. Second, it has significantly expanded the number of Canadians eligible for full aboriginal status under the Constitution. On Friday, the court unanimously swept aside provisions of the former Conservative government's Truth in Sentencing Act that limited a judge's ability to give credit for time served in pretrial detention. [continues 618 words]
A pharmacists' group that initially nixed the idea of dispensing medical cannabis has changed its stance, saying that pharmacists should play a "front-line role" in providing access to the drug. The Canadian Pharmacists Association says it has updated its position because of its growing concern about what it calls a "lack of clinical oversight" in the use of medical marijuana. The group said in a release Thursday that pharmacists are "medication experts" and therefore could help identify potential problems such as drug interactions, contraindications and potentially addictive behaviour. [continues 328 words]
18 recommendations from Chinnery jury focus on prevention, reaction A coroner's jury looking into the shooting death of Andreas Chinnery by police is proposing wide-ranging recommendations, from controlling young people's marijuana use to police using lapel cameras. The jury made 18 recommendations Monday, adopting all of the suggestions made by the parties with standing - those with a direct interest - and then added three of its own. Chinnery had turned 19 just five weeks before he was shot and killed on Feb. 2, 2011 in his Barton Street East apartment by an officer responding to a call about a disturbance in his unit. [continues 655 words]
Toronto is joining the growing list of Canadian cities - including Ottawa and Montreal - that plan to set up safe-injection sites. Safe-injection sites provide a place for people to take illicitly obtained drugs, while supervised by nurses or other health care staff in order to prevent overdoses. They typically also provide sterile injection equipment. As it stands, there are more than 90 safe-injection sites worldwide, but only two legal sites in Canada, both in Vancouver. Local media reports say Toronto's top health official is planning on following suit, opening "multiple" facilities, also called supervised-injection or supervised-consumption sites. [continues 251 words]
Q: Our son has a drug problem. He uses marijuana daily. He continues to bring it into our home even though we ask him not to. His grades have dropped drastically and we don't like the friends he hangs out with. He argues that marijuana is harmless and uses information from the Internet to support his point of view. Clearly our arguing is going nowhere, but we don't know what to do and we don't want to kick him out of our home. What more can we do? [continues 368 words]
The federal government is wise to request a six-month extension to draft new legislation on doctor-assisted dying. Canadians have been waiting for legislation on this crucial issue for far too long already, but for the Liberal government to rush it through by the February deadline after inheriting it from the foot-dragging Conservatives, does not make sense. Last February, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down the ban on medically assisted suicide. The ruling gave the federal government 12 months to rewrite the Criminal Code, or ignore the ruling, essentially leaving the matter in legal limbo. [continues 362 words]
Track Record Proves Incentives to Turn Profit Make Them Too Hard to Control Respectfully, I must disagree with Premier Kathleen Wynne that the LCBO should control marijuana sales in Ontario. If the only issue associated with selling recreational drugs like tobacco, alcohol and marijuana was just keeping them out of reach of our youth during their formative years, then I would agree. I would also add that the LCBO and The Beer Store are models of environmentally friendly packaging and recycling. Bravo. [continues 517 words]
Told by Air Canada He Couldn't Get on Flight With Prescription Pot Michael Korchak was admittedly a little nervous flying home to Toronto from Halifax for the holidays last week. This was the first time the Burlington resident was travelling with his medicine on him: a small bottle of medical marijuana. He knew from some research that possession of the drug could lead to questioning and delays at the airport. But he thought he was prepared. He arrived three hours early for the domestic flight, so his papers could be checked. And he said he told Air Canada employees right away that he was carrying the medicine, and showed them all the accompanying documentation. [continues 401 words]
Canadians With Dope Convictions Call on PM to Offer Pardons Marcus Richardson is, in the eyes of the law, a criminal. Never mind that a judge ruled the six kilograms of cannabis police found in his car was for severely ill patients at a medical marijuana dispensary. Or that the same judge imposed only a minimum sentence because anything more would fail to maintain "a just, peaceful and safe society." He's a criminal - and so are scores of other Canadians who face barriers to travel and work because they were caught with a drug that the government now intends to legalize. [continues 555 words]
Federal Liberal Pledge to Make Marijuana Legal Sparks Distribution Ideas TORONTO - Premier Kathleen Wynne says it would "make a lot of sense" for Ontario's government-run liquor stores to sell marijuana if the federal Liberals make good on their promise to legalize pot. The new federal government's throne speech this month included a pledge to "legalize, regulate and restrict access to marijuana," following up on a pledge by Justin Trudeau's Liberals. The Liquor Control Board of Ontario, which has 650 stores and a virtual monopoly on alcohol sales, has the experience and expertise to sell legalized marijuana in a responsible way, Wynne said Monday. [continues 390 words]
Yes, it probably is too early to talk about selling legalized marijuana through LCBO outlets. The president of the LCBO union said this week that's the safest and most logical place to sell pot. But Finance Minister Charles Sousa was quick to jump in and label the idea premature. Fair point. If you think about it, there are some good reasons to entrust pot sales to the government liquor stores. They are experienced at selling a regulated substance. They do a good job, generally, checking consumer IDs. They are secure, and can be made more so if necessary. If we are going to have legal pot, it makes sense to use existing infrastructure rather than invent a bureaucracy. [continues 103 words]
Liberal government is on the right track, but caution is needed going forward Ontario residents of a certain age will well remember the days when purchasing alcohol of any kind from the Liquor Control Board of Ontario was a ritual conducted without joy. Far in the future lay what we now take for granted: multitudes of attractively-displayed products from around the world, all eagerly beckoning customers to try new libations, many offering in-store samples, specials, etc. [continues 518 words]
A University of Waterloo researcher is slamming Stephen Harper's assertion that marijuana is "infinitely worse" than tobacco, saying the remark has no basis in scientific fact. The Conservative leader made the comment the morning after the final debate of the election campaign Friday night, during which he criticized Justin Trudeau's proposal to legalize the drug. Asked by a reporter on Saturday why he so strongly objected to the Liberal leader's plan, Harper said there is "overwhelming and growing" evidence of "the bad long-term effects" of marijuana use. Noting that authorities have spent decades trying to discourage Canadians from using tobacco, he said "marijuana is infinitely worse, and is something we do not want to encourage." [continues 176 words]
Monday is International Overdose Awareness Day, and the city is embracing the opportunity to talk about drugs. As part of its increased investment in harm reduction programs, Hamilton's public health unit is holding a tribute to those who have lost their lives to drug addiction - and those living with addictions. This is the first acknowledgment of the day in Hamilton, but after a spike in opioid deaths last summer, the city is eager to hold the event. "This is just a good continuance of that work and trying to raise awareness that the dangers are still out there," said Linda Blake-Evans, manager of the city's harm reduction program. [continues 266 words]
Smoke-Free Laws Have Contributed to Lower Tobacco Use and Better Health On Aug. 8 two articles appeared in The Hamilton Spectator concerning City of Hamilton Bylaw No. 11-080 Prohibiting Smoking within City Parks and Recreation Properties. The first article entitled "Ticats fans can't light up on promenade" focused on cigarette smoking that is occurring outside Tim Hortons Field. The second article entitled "City park no smoking rule hazy? " profiled a variety of issues associated with smoking, not only cigarettes but also marijuana, and other security restrictions in place at the Supercrawl event held on Aug. 7 at Pier 4 Park. [continues 426 words]
With the curtain about to rise on the climactic second act of the Mike Duffy trial, Justin Trudeau promised Tuesday to clean up the scandal-tainted Senate, while Stephen Harper set his sights on neighbourhood drug labs. The Liberal leader vowed to clean up the prime minister 's "mess," accusing Harper of leading the "most secretive, divisive and hyper-partisan government in Canada's history." That mess, of course, is the Senate, and in particular Duffy's trial, which was scheduled to enter its most explosive phase Wednesday with none other than Nigel Wright, Harper's former chief of staff, as the first witness. [continues 578 words]
