To the editor: I'm writing about Doris Macdonald's not-so-thoughtful letter, support the law, in the dec. 6 Daily News. It looks like Macdonald wants Canada to adopt American drug policies. If Canada adopts failed U. S. drug policies, Canadians should expect a dramatic increase in taxes. Or else be prepared to sacrifice some of your existing government services, such as your health-care program. It seems to me the key to success is to do what successful people do, and avoid doing what unsuccessful people do. So why does Canada want to adopt failed U. S. drug policies. Would you seek financial advice from a homeless person. Kirk Muse Mesa, Ariz. [end]
SYDNEY - Guilty or not, people suspected of certain crimes are being turfed from their homes across the province. So far, occupants of 23 homes, apartments or trailers have been evicted since the summer, when a new division of the Justice Department began to fully enforce the new provincial Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act. Proclaimed Jan. 7, the act is intended to target suspected drug use and sales, prostitution, illegal gaming, bootlegging or child sexual abuse. The Justice Department hired and armed five former police officers to staff the public safety investigative unit, which has looked into 130 complaints from the public. More than half of those reports came from rural Nova Scotians sick of suspected criminals and the perceived lack of action by cash-strapped police forces. About 20 of the complainants were Cape Bretoners. [continues 1172 words]
To the editor: I have noticed that your paper seems to be taking a pro-drugs attitude. Every few days, I read about yet another poll saying this or that in favour of either legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana. The law is the law. Some people will obey; some won't. But it is not a public newspaper's duty to promote the legalization or decriminalization of marijuana, or anything else. A newspaper's job is to report news, and it is disappointing to see your paper keep hammering away at the same topic, again and again. [continues 56 words]
AMHERST - Within minutes of his Supreme Court sentencing for counts of possession, trafficking and producing marijuana being adjourned, Rickey Logan Simpson was taken into custody and faces additional charges of trafficking the same substance. Crown attorney Paul Drysdale told Justice Felix Cacchione that two officers from Amherst Police Department, including Sgt. Tim Hunter, were at the back of the courtroom to take Simpson into custody where he would be charged with trafficking marijuana. Unaware of the charges, Simpson spoke in court. [continues 86 words]
The anti-marijuana crowd will be latching on to a new study published in last week's edition of the prestigious British medical journal The Lancet, which suggests that even occasional pot use could raise the risk of psychosis. Based on a meta-analysis of 35 previous studies, researchers determined that pot-smokers were 41 per cent more likely to develop a psychotic illness than persons who had never used the drug, and contend that governments should now work to dispel the misconception that marijuana is a benign drug. [continues 742 words]
Maccan Area Man Says He Will Continue To Create 'Cure For Cancer' AMHERST - A Maccan area man who says his marijuana-based paste cures cancer was arrested again Friday, moments after his sentencing hearing in Nova Scotia Supreme Court on previous charges was postponed. "What's the world coming to when a man who has the cure for cancer keeps getting arrested?" Rick Simpson said to reporters as two plainclothes Amherst police officers escorted him to the police station across the street from the courthouse. [continues 320 words]
SYDNEY - Results from a survey of student drug use are useful in helping agencies target their programs and resources, but also allow them to see areas where information is lacking, the director of Addiction Services says. Everett Harris was reacting to the release this week of the most recent survey of student drug use in Nova Scotia. There were nearly 4,500 surveys completed provincewide by students in Grades 7, 9, 10 and 12. The drugs most commonly used were alcohol, tobacco and cannabis. [continues 597 words]
It was called Operation Hunger - a police task force that busted a large and sophisticated marijuana grow operation harboured in suburban homes around metro. The grow op involved the purchase of houses that were then modified to cultivate marijuana. Electricity was pilfered to support the production. In 2004, police arrested a number people of Vietnamese origin, charging them with various crimes related to marijuana production. One of those is Tuan Anh Nguyen. Yesterday, he faced sentencing in Halifax provincial court. Called to the stand yesterday was a Vancouver Police Department officer who specializes in Vietnamese organized crime groups in Canada. [continues 368 words]
School Bringing In Ex-Addict To Talk To Kids About Addiction Dealing with drug-addicted high school students has been "very dramatic and traumatic for us all," the principal of Millwood High School said Wednesday. Lachie MacIntosh said staff at the Lower Sackville school started noticing a small group of students abusing serious drugs when the year kicked off in September. In fact, the school coped with about five hooked students within the first couple weeks of school. "There are a small number of students who, at the risk of categorizing but probably safely saying, are addicted," Mr. Mac-Intosh said, adding that some are hooked on prescription medicines while others are likely using the illegal variety. [continues 555 words]
Well, they're at it again. Like a swarm of locusts, the boys in blue have been tromping their ways through the wilds of Nova Scotia this fall wreaking havoc on the well-tended crops of several upstanding, run of the mill criminals who worked oh so diligently to maintain their lush greenery that not only brings happiness to those throughout the land but also creates a future for agricultural up-and-comers. Well, I hope you big bullies are proud of yourselves for wiping the silly grins off the collective jowls of many a peace loving Maritimer. [continues 405 words]
Mounties Make Marijuana Hauls RICH BLACK earth laced with white fertilizer pellets explodes into the air as RCMP officers beat bushy green marijuana plants against trees to loosen the soil from the roots. Some whoop in delight, confident that they have found several dozen marijuana plants belonging to a grower who has been a thorn in their side for years. It's near the end of the first day of the annual fall marijuana harvest in Kings County, when police go out in search of the marijuana plants that are the hidden cash crop in the agriculture-rich Annapolis Valley. [continues 986 words]
Legislation Allows Investigators To Clean Up 'Problem Properties' For years, neighbours suspected drugs were being sold out of two apartment units at 18 Randall Ave. People came and went at odd hours, there was often fighting and shouting, windows were smashed and doors were repeatedly kicked in. "They were not good neighbours," said a nearby resident, who wished not to be identified. On Aug. 18, the long-term tenants were evicted by plain-clothes Nova Scotia Justice Department investigators as part of the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, which came into effect last January. [continues 549 words]
To the editor: So, the cops have been at it again, arresting lots of people, seizing drugs, money and property (The Daily News, Sept 27). What are the results? Pictures of mounds of evidence and smirking cops are not results. Results are what happens on the streets. You quote the cops speculating that their activities will make a large dent in the supply of illegal drugs. What proof do they offer? An investigation into the results of police activities would be most helpful in evaluating their efficacy. [continues 92 words]
Decriminalizing simple possession of marijuana is an idea whose time came almost four decades ago. In 1969, the Le Dain commission began a long study of the decriminalization and legalization of several illegal drugs, including marijuana. When it issued its report in 1972, the commission recommended a transfer of legal matters relating to marijuana from the Criminal Code to the Food and Drug Act. It also suggested that simple possession be subject to a $100 fine, with no jail time. That recommendation didn't fly. Neither have subsequent efforts to decriminalize simple possession. The last attempt died along with the Liberal government. And it looks as though the Conservative government isn't about to resurrect the Liberals' proposed legislation. [continues 226 words]
PARRSBORO -- The local RCMP are not quite as shorthanded as they were, as two fresh faces arrived over the summer. Const. Dal Hutchinson introduced himself to Parrsboro town council at its Sept. 25 session, where he provided the monthly police report. Originally from the Truro area, Hutchinson transferred in from Saskatchewan to replace the retired Const. Guy Bergeron. "It's nice to be back home," he said. "We love it here." In another personnel change, Const. Bill Corkum has taken over the residential position in Advocate. A Berwick native, Corkum replaces Const. Dwayne Penney, who was transferred to Newfoundland & Labrador in August. [continues 318 words]
TRURO - Wednesday's sweeping raids in Colchester County should deal a major blow to the illegal drug market right across the Maritimes, an RCMP official says. "We believe that we have taken one of the biggest distribution networks out of service with this organized crime group," Cpl. Joe Taplin said yesterday, during a follow-up media briefing. "So there is not going to be any amount of cocaine or illegal drugs on the streets of Nova Scotia or the Maritimes and especially in Colchester County." [continues 339 words]
EAST MOUNTAIN - The drug raids undertaken in parts of Colchester County yesterday were a relief to some neighbouring residents who feel they were long overdue. While some area residents refused to talk to media representatives, police officers who were guarding the sites of residences included in the early morning raids said passing motorists were offering comments such as: "It's about time." That was also the sentiment of East Mountain resident Linda Rushton, who lives near one of the raided homes. [continues 194 words]
To the Editor, I wanted to send my heart fealt condolences to Mr. Simpson regarding his trial loss yesterday from a fellow medical marijuana users in this once great country. People should be very afraid when their government begins to persecute and oppress its sick and dying citizens. On a positive note, if he should decide to run for public office, he shall have my vote. Carl Anderson, Federal Medical Marijuana Exemptee, Kamloops, B.C. [end]
To the Editor, More solid proof that we live in a country with a systematically corrupt judiciary. Shame on this judge, this jury, this government, and this whole country. The rich stay healthy while the sick stay poor. Cops enforce laws that don't exist, judges hear bogus trials, and juries put a man in jail for helping sick people. Common sense means nothing. Justice means nothing. Our Charter means nothing. Canada is a joke. A sick, evil, joke. Russell Barth, Patients Against Ignorance and Discrimination on Cannabis (PAIDOC) Federal Medical Marijuana License Holder, Ottawa [end]
Cumberland County Hemp Oil Activist Convicted on Charges Of Possession, Trafficking and Production of Marijuana AMHERST - Just because some "idiotic law" says he has to won't stop Rickey Simpson from treating his patients suffering from illnesses such as cancer with cannabis oil. "People have proven to me once again they have total lack of common sense. There's something wrong with them," Simpson said outside the courtroom yesterday after a jury found him guilty to one count each of possession of less than 30 grams of cannabis marijuana, possession of less than three kilograms of tetrahydrocannabinol for the purpose of trafficking and unlawful production of cannabis marijuana. [continues 310 words]
Inside Nova Scotia
