With some marijuana dispensaries still open in spite of repeated warnings, the Regina Police Service is now taking its campaign to the shops' landlords.

About two weeks ago, police sent letters to property owners informing them that their pot-shop tenants are committing a criminal offence. Selling cannabis out of storefronts remains illegal.

According to police spokesperson Les Parker, the letters also conveyed that the properties "may be subject to forfeiture" if sales continue. He cited a provision of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act that allows courts to order the seizure of "offence-related property."

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There seems to be a general euphoria with the upcoming legalization of marijuana, while at the same time there is silence from the large proportion of Canadians who oppose legalization.

Perhaps one should look at why marijuana was made illegal in the first place. For many, it was a case of, "We have enough problems with alcohol. If marijuana is legal, we'll have twice as many drug problems." For others, they didn't want to live in a nation of zombies where people are walking around stoned all day.

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There seems to be a general euphoria with the upcoming legalization of marijuana, while at the same time there is silence from the large proportion of Canadians who oppose legalization.

Perhaps one should look at why marijuana was made illegal in the first place. For many, it was a case of, "We have enough problems with alcohol. If marijuana is legal, we'll have twice as many drug problems." For others, they didn't want to live in a nation of zombies where people are walking around stoned all day.

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Policing issues played a minor role in Tuesday's Ward 4 budget town hall, with only one exception: Cannabis enforcement costs.

The Regina Police Service has estimated the cost of policing a legalized marijuana system between $1.2 million and $1.8 million. That number evoked shock from one resident who came to the meeting.

"It stretches the bounds of believability," she said. "Give me a break."

Coun. Andrew Stevens tried to steer clear of the RPS during the town hall, only once repeating his earlier warnings about the force's "uncontrolled" costs.

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The president of the organization that represents Saskatchewan's cities and towns wants a more collaborative relationship with Premier Scott Moe's new provincial government.

"So far, so good," Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) president Gordon Barnhart said Wednesday. "I think that they've been saying they want to have consultation before decisions are made and I think that's a step in the right direction."

Moe took over from premier Brad Wall last month as leader of the Saskatchewan Party and the province's new premier.

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Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach and general manager Chris Jones remains "disappointed" in Duron Carter.

Carter faces charges for marijuana possession in Winnipeg and Saskatoon.

"I was really disappointed because I had just come off the heels of going down to Florida and spending good quality time with him and his mom,'' Jones said Wednesday from his home in South Pittsburg, Tenn.

"It's like when a family member or a close friend gets into a situation like that. I'm really disappointed because I thought we were a bit beyond that thing. It's something that we'll wait and see what the legal process goes through and what the authorities say. Then we'll have more of a comment on exactly what happens with Duron.''

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Karen Klassen has been emerging of late from her condo unit, socializing with her neighbours over coffee and when they ask what's brought her out more, she's been reluctant to answer.

For at least 25 years, Klassen has endured chronic pain and she believes medicinal marijuana is what has been helping her.

It began with fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, but Klassen later suffered a broken back. The last diagnosis, which she says is the most significant, is a failed back surgery, spinal stenosis and ankylosing spondylitis.

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Regina hopes to get share of revenue to cover its expenses

Regina city councillors now know their options on cannabis, after administration handed them a report on how the city can prepare for legalization - and how much it's likely to cost police.

The Regina Police Service is pegging the added expense of policing a legal weed system at somewhere between $1.2 million and $1.8 million. That's only a rough guess, based on forecasts from other police forces in Canada.

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Statistics Canada has persuaded a handful of Saskatchewan people to weigh in on their weed use. And the verdict is in: Marijuana in the province is both strong and cheap.

The agency's StatsCannabis portal is designed to help measure "the evolving social and economic impacts of cannabis legalization." It asks users to anonymously report their marijuana purchases to the data agency, including how much they paid, how much they bought and how satisfactory the product turned out to be.

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It remains to be seen how deep of a predicament Duron Carter may be in after twice being charged with marijuana possession.

On Thursday, the Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver was arrested at Saskatoon International Airport and charged with possession of marijuana.

The incident followed Carter being charged with possession of a controlled substance Nov. 25 after being caught with more 30 grams (one ounce) of marijuana at Winnipeg International Airport.

The amount of marijuana Carter, 26, had in his possession in Saskatoon isn't known. He was released on his own recognizance in Saskatoon and Winnipeg.

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Is Duron Carter a possession receiver?

That has been a question to ponder since it was revealed that Carter, a popular pass-catcher with the CFL's Saskatchewan Roughriders, was arrested and charged with marijuana possession Thursday in Saskatoon.

The Regina Leader-Post subsequently discovered that Carter had been charged with possession of a controlled substance Nov. 25 in Winnipeg.

Another question to consider: Should this even be a big deal?

Carter was charged in Saskatoon only a few months before the use of recreational marijuana becomes legal in Canada.

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While police haven't dropped the hammer on any of Regina's pot shops yet, Chief Evan Bray says storefront owners should think twice about trying to fight the man.

"If you want to get a licence once it's legalized and have this retail business forevermore, I would suggest you'd want to be assessed with good character," he said following Wednesday's board of police commissioners meeting.

In assessing applications for storefront marijuana sales licences, "good character" will be on SLGA's list of boxes in need of ticking, Bray said, pointing to a section of the Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Act.

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With legalization right around the corner we seem to be in a state of fog and confusion as to what it means.

It is very strange that when pot/marijuana was illegal we didn't even look for it or test for it in drivers. Suddenly we seem to think there will be a huge increase in usage and that there is money to be made by an all out ban on a soon to be legal substance, even though impairment can't be proven or measured?

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The City of Saskatoon wants public input on where marijuana outlets should be located.

City hall has launched an online survey seeking residents' input on where cannabis producers and retailers should be allowed to set up shop. The federal government has set a deadline of July 1 to keep a campaign promise to make recreational marijuana legal.

The survey seeks feedback on a variety of issues, ranging from public consumption to safety of patrons and employees to protection from "noxious odours" and shielding youth and "vulnerable" people.

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The Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA) is hoping the provincial government will consider the effects of marijuana on brain development when deciding on the legal age for purchase.

Though the provincial government has announced recreational marijuana will be sold through private retailers and regulated by the SLGA, they say they are waiting to decide the legal age until the new cabinet and premier are in place.

The majority of provinces are restricting the purchase of marijuana to those 19 and older, SMA president Dr. Joanne Sivertson says limiting access to people 21 and over would make Saskatchewan a leader in protecting the brain development of young adults.

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Police chief warns shop owners they could be raided at any time

Regina's police chief is warning that officers could move against marijuana dispensaries at any moment, potentially charging operators and confiscating their weed.

It's Evan Bray's most immediate threat yet against Regina's 19 or so pot shops. He said the police will soon send official warnings to owners - but that's just "a courtesy." The law is "black and white," he said Wednesday, and dispensaries are already breaking it.

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Owners weigh options as nation moves toward legalization in July

Cuong Nguyen will lose his job in three weeks.

He might even lose it sooner, if the city police tell Regina Green Cross Medicine to stop selling marijuana before February 15. For now, that's the date his bosses plan to close up shop - and everything must go.

"It's kind of crappy, to be honest," he said. "Now I have to look for a new job."

Last Tuesday, Regina Police Chief Evan Bray warned cannabis dispensaries that they're breaking the law. He hinted at possible enforcement action in the coming weeks.

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There is good evidence that marijuana can negatively affect the developing brains.

The Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA) is hoping the provincial government will consider the effects of marijuana on brain development when deciding on the legal age for purchase.

Though the provincial government has announced recreational marijuana will be sold through private retailers and regulated by the SLGA, they say they are waiting to decide the legal age until the new cabinet and premier are in place.

The majority of provinces are restricting the purchase of marijuana to those 19 and older. SMA president Dr. Joanne Sivertson says limiting access to people 21 and over would make Saskatchewan a leader in protecting the brain development of young adults.

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Young adults responded to a voluntary survey about what they think about the legalization of marijuana. Here's what they had to say:

These are some thoughts from some Prince Albert young people who were asked a few questions about what they think about the soon to be legalization of marijuana. I was interested and thought others might be too. The students were given a 10-question written questionnaire. They were aged 16 to 21.

When asked what its legalization meant to them personally, the consensus was that it was a good idea and mainly because of what they considered to be the medicinal values of the plant. They spoke of its ability to help people with cancer, seizures, and anxiety. They felt it could treat people with pain and stress. They felt it could calm people down. They saw it as a natural product as it comes from a plant. They saw its legalization as "freedom".

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Police developing policies on steps to take when marijuana legalized in July

Troy Cooper, Saskatoon's new police chief, says he will closely review the policy city police are developing on marijuana dispensaries after the start of his term on Feb. 28.

"In Saskatoon, I think in five weeks time, if things are still unresolved by government and it's still illegal, I think we'll take a common-sense approach where there's education for the people who are running the dispensaries," Cooper said.

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