Coquitlam Now, The _CN BC_ 1/1/1997 - 31/12/2025
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1 CN BC: LTE: Who's Doing The Research?Sat, 10 Aug 2013
Source:Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC) Author:Sterle, Frank G. Area:British Columbia Lines:34 Added:08/12/2013

Re: "We're asking the wrong question [on marijuana criminalization]," letter to the editor, Friday, Aug. 2. I've travelled down the cannabis-consumption rocky road and learned about its effect on my health the extremely difficult way.

However, I must admit that research findings regarding pot's effect on health that "reveal" a benign or, contrarily, insidious nature of cannabis consumption make me instinctually wonder: Who commissioned the research? As cynical as it may sound, I'm one who believes that knowing the interests of the entity that has commissioned the research quite often reveal much about the research "findings" to come.

The commissioner, through the news media, will typically propagate terms like "independently commissioned," but such doesn't necessarily translate into 100 percent accuracy; questions asked and/or research methodology can be quite manipulative.

Frank G. Sterle, Jr.

White Rock

[end]

2 CN BC: PUB LTE: We're Asking The Wrong QuestionFri, 02 Aug 2013
Source:Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC) Author:MacLeod, Ian Area:British Columbia Lines:89 Added:08/04/2013

On marijuana criminalization, we are still asking the wrong question. It should not be "Is marijuana harmful?" (it may well be) but rather "Is prohibition causing more harm that it cures?" (certainly, yes).

I am in no way advocating for the use of drugs (I am an aging baby boomer; I don't use drugs, don't smoke and only occasionally even drink alcohol).

However, the so-called "war on drugs" is a massive fraud on taxpayers, parents and the addicted. It causes much more harm than it cures. The "war" funds organized crime, funds terrorists and uses our taxes to pay thousands of police, lawyers and prison guards (financially, all on the same side as the criminals - ironic, huh!) and builds massive disrespect for the law amongst our young people and, for all that, does little to curb drug use.

[continues 588 words]

3 CN BC: Editorial: Blazing A Trail For Sensible Pot LawsWed, 24 Apr 2013
Source:Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC)          Area:British Columbia Lines:47 Added:04/27/2013

Another April 20, another 4/20 rally in which recreational pot enthusiasts gather en masse, light up their doobies in defiance of the man, and let the world know they think marijuana should be legal, or at least decriminalized.

It may seem like a juvenile act of insubordination, but the 4/20 rallies have evolved from futile gatherings and spawned a larger and far more credible pro-marijuana legalization campaign. The movement to reform the country's ridiculous pot laws now wears a suit or lab coat, not a Bob Marley T-shirt.

[continues 207 words]

4 CN BC: PUB LTE: Government Has Acted In Contempt Of CourtsWed, 03 Apr 2013
Source:Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC) Author:Phillips, Wayne Area:British Columbia Lines:41 Added:04/03/2013

Re: "Legal grow-op plan 'failed miserably,' MP says," Wednesday, March 20.

What Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam MP James Moore fails to mention is that the medical marijuana access program is open to the abuse mentioned because Health Canada has mismanaged this court-ordered program.

It was the government's responsibility to provide reasonable access in a manner that did not compromise public safety, good governance and order; government failed to do that.

They, in effect, have acted in contempt of the courts. In failing to provide due diligence, not only were communities right across Canada placed in potentially precarious situations, those authorized to possess cannabis for medical purposes were also placed in unnecessary peril, to the point of detriment and even death.

[continues 98 words]

5 CN BC: Legal Grow-Op Plan 'Failed Miserably,' MP SaysWed, 20 Mar 2013
Source:Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC) Author:Deutsch, Jeremy Area:British Columbia Lines:61 Added:03/21/2013

As far as most Tri-Cities politicians are concerned, the laws around legal pot grow-ops are a mess and they want change.

During a visit to his riding on March 13, Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam MP James Moore outlined some of the legislative changes coming to the medicinal marijuana grow-op business in Canada.

By March 2014, personal medicinal pot licences will no longer be in place and instead, Moore said people who need marijuana will get it directly from government-run grow-ops, which would be far away from residential neighbourhoods.

[continues 279 words]

6 CN BC: Pot Forum Set For Friday In CoquitlamWed, 13 Mar 2013
Source:Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC) Author:Kurucz, John Area:British Columbia Lines:63 Added:03/18/2013

They say it's high time for B.C.'s marijuana laws to be reformed, and come Friday, members of the pro-pot group Sensible B.C. will be in Coquitlam to lay out their strategy to do just that.

Members will be joined by current and former politicians and other marijuana reform advocates for a roundtable discussion at the Centennial Pavilion at 620 Poirier St., from 7 to 9 p.m.

Panellists will include former federal prosecutor Randie Long; former Grand Forks Coun. Joy Davies; Mark Elyas, president of the Vancouver East federal Liberal riding association; and Colorado-based marijuana reform advocate Mason Tvert.

[continues 308 words]

7 CN BC: Legal Grow-Op Triggers ConcernsWed, 30 Jan 2013
Source:Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC) Author:Kurucz, John Area:British Columbia Lines:79 Added:02/02/2013

PoCo Property Has Federal Licence To Grow Medical Marijuana

Fears of a botched robbery, coupled with accusations of secrecy, were top of mind for about 20 Citadel Heights residents as they convened on PoCo council chambers Monday amid fears over a federally licensed marijuana grow operation in their neighbourhood.

The contingent was led by Governor Court residents Keith Harrison and Doug McRae, who argued the city is not taking enough action against the property, leaving many in the neighbourhood living in fear.

[continues 413 words]

8 CN BC: LTE: You Can Gain Insight From Quitting DrugsFri, 01 Feb 2013
Source:Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC) Author:Tahara, Angela Area:British Columbia Lines:43 Added:02/02/2013

Re: "Reefer madness?" letter to the editor, Wednesday, Jan. 23.

After spending last evening at another meeting of Narcotics Anonymous, I find it laughable to read this statement: ". most people who use these drugs have positive experiences, gain inspiration and insight and would mostly use them again given the chance to do so."

And so the drug's lure has begun to lead you into addiction.

The truth is, recovering addicts gain insights, positive experiences and inspiration after they stop doping and live a clean life.

[continues 116 words]

9 CN BC: PUB LTE: Reefer Madness?Wed, 23 Jan 2013
Source:Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC) Author:Lane, Dave Area:British Columbia Lines:41 Added:01/24/2013

Your article titled "Cards target legal and illegal drugs" (Wednesday, Jan. 16) got my interest enough to review the cards.

While this might be a good idea, the cards are no more than a bad replay of the Reefer Madness movie.

The cards on LSD and mushrooms only talk about bad trips, death and flashbacks. They fail to mention that most people who use these drugs have positive experiences, gain inspiration and insight and would mostly use them again given the chance to do so.

[continues 120 words]

10 CN BC: Cards Target Legal And Illegal DrugsWed, 16 Jan 2013
Source:Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC) Author:Deutsch, Jeremy Area:British Columbia Lines:94 Added:01/19/2013

PoCoMo Youth Services Society Produces New Educational Tool Aimed At Young People

Charlie, Snow and Blow. No, they're not the names of characters from a popular movie or TV show - far from it.

They're street names for cocaine.

Though it's not always easy to get a teen's attention when it comes to a serious topic like drugs, now all the information and warnings about illegal substances are available through specially designed cards produced by the PoCoMo Youth Services Society.

[continues 452 words]

11 CN BC: Editorial: Grow-op Solution?Wed, 19 Dec 2012
Source:Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC)          Area:British Columbia Lines:52 Added:12/22/2012

There will be a lot of smiling and nodding and happy faces at the news that federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq is taking aim at marijuana growers who are hiding behind current laws to operate illegal drug businesses.

Nobody wants illegal grow-ops in their neighbourhoods or their communities.

We all pay for the electricity they steal. We all pay for the service costs they dodge by not paying taxes on their enterprising activities.

Nobody wants the dangers associated with living next door to such operations. There is always the very real risk that their colleagues in crime will bring violence to their "place of business" - which can easily spill onto the streets as they "protect their interests" or into nearby homes through "mistaken identity" or even into local shopping malls as they engage in open battle with one another.

[continues 170 words]

12 CN BC: PUB LTE: Few Winners In War On DrugsFri, 30 Nov 2012
Source:Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC) Author:Sharpe, Robert Area:British Columbia Lines:36 Added:12/03/2012

Now that neighbouring Washington state and Colorado have legalized marijuana, Ottawa can no longer claim Canada must uphold marijuana prohibition in order to maintain good U.S. relations.

In 2002, the Canadian Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs concluded that marijuana is relatively benign, prohibition contributes to organized crime, and law enforcement efforts have little impact on patterns of use.

Consider the experience of the former land of the free and current world leader in per capita incarceration.

The United States has double the rate of marijuana use as the Netherlands, where marijuana is legally available to adults.

The only winners in the war on marijuana are drug cartels and shameless tough-on-drugs politicians who've built careers confusing the drug war's tremendous collateral damage with a comparatively harmless plant.

Robert Sharpe MPA Policy Analyst Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington, DC

[end]

13 CN BC: Column: Would Legalization Change B.C.?Fri, 23 Nov 2012
Source:Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC) Author:Claxton, Matthew Area:British Columbia Lines:91 Added:11/27/2012

What is really at stake if B.C. follows Washington state and Colorado and successfully legalizes marijuana?

Money, of course, that other green substance. Let's start with the estimated value of the illicit pot growing industry here in B.C. It's often claimed to be between $6 billion and $8 billion, a fairly rough estimate given that none of the principals are filling out any corporate tax forms or quarterly earning reports.

Even if it's lower than the estimates, it's a huge industry. By contrast, in 2011 the entire forest industry had a value of just under $10 billion.

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14 CN BC: LTE: If Pot Is Legal, Use Will IncreaseFri, 05 Oct 2012
Source:Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC) Author:Wormald, Brian Area:British Columbia Lines:54 Added:10/06/2012

Re: "Gateway drug? How about a gateway policy on marijuana?"

I acknowledge that there is a philosophical dilemma when it comes to the issue of whether marijuana should be de-criminalized/legalized (a very fine line) or not. It is my personal opinion that it should not.

It is very simple. Look at the cost to the community already of legal human activities, alcohol consumption and smoking cigarettes being the most obvious - why introduce another problem? And that is what it will become.

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15 CN BC: PUB LTE: Gateway Drug? How About A Gateway Policy OnWed, 03 Oct 2012
Source:Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC) Author:Sharpe, Robert Area:British Columbia Lines:38 Added:10/04/2012

Re: "Municipal leaders show some spine," editorial, Friday, Sept. 28.

The vote by B.C. municipal leaders to decriminalize marijuana is a step in the right direction.

There is a big difference between condoning marijuana use and protecting children from drugs.

Decriminalization acknowledges the social reality of marijuana and frees users from criminal records. What's really needed is a regulated market with age controls.

Separating the hard and soft drug markets is critical.

The marijuana plant is relatively harmless. Marijuana prohibition is deadly. As long as organized crime controls marijuana distribution, consumers of

the most popular illicit drug will come into contact with sellers of hard drugs like cocaine, meth and heroin.

Marijuana prohibition is a gateway drug policy.

Robert Sharpe Policy Analyst Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington, DC

[end]

16 CN BC: Editorial: Municipal Leaders Show Some SpineFri, 28 Sep 2012
Source:Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC)          Area:British Columbia Lines:51 Added:09/30/2012

Mayors sometimes do the darndest things. When together, these elected municipal leaders occasionally show surprising clarity - away from the mundane ribbon cutting and haranguing headlines back home.

At this week's Union of B.C. Municipalities convention in Victoria, the mayors of the province voted on numerous items.

Two in particular catch our eye - both throwing the ball in Ottawa's direction.

Mayors and councillors passed a motion Wednesday that asked Prime Minister Stephen Harper to talk with B.C. reps about the unpopular federal cuts to the Kitsilano Coast Guard service. A day earlier they voted in support of decriminalizing marijuana.

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17 CN BC: Canada: O'Neill Upset Over Pot LetterFri, 14 Sep 2012
Source:Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC) Author:Kurucz, John Area:British Columbia Lines:56 Added:09/15/2012

Councillor Not a Fan of Medical Marijuana

Some Coquitlam councillors may see the medical benefits around marijuana use, but don't count Terry O'Neill as one of them.

The first-term councillor disagreed with the wording of a letter sent by the city to the federal government that called on Health Canada to clarify and streamline rules around medical marijuana access regulations.

The point O'Neill took particular umbrage with was contained in the last paragraph of the letter, which stated that council "generally concluded there is a legitimate medical and societal benefit to be derived from controlled access to medical marijuana."

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18 CN BC: PUB LTE: Ban Gun ProductionWed, 12 Sep 2012
Source:Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC) Author:Croll, Susan Area:British Columbia Lines:83 Added:09/14/2012

Two horrible events deeply affected me this week, and both incidents involved guns and killing people, in places that are or have been home to me.

The first was the shooting of two men resulting in the death of Denis Blanchette at the Parti Quebecois celebration at the Metropolis in Montreal - the city where I grew up.

The second was even closer to my present home - in fact, right in my own neighbourhood in Port Moody. If reports are accurate, a 32-year-old man was gunned down in front of his father and girlfriend as they ate breakfast together.

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19 CN BC: No Weed Left At Pot Dispensary: OwnerFri, 10 Aug 2012
Source:Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC) Author:Deutsch, Jeremy Area:British Columbia Lines:71 Added:08/11/2012

The first and only medical pot dispensary in the Tri-Cities is essentially no more.

While the Coquitlam Natural Path Society still has a storefront shop in Maillardville, it does not have any marijuana on site and will not dispense the drug, according to the owner.

For now, the society will keep the space open to be used as a resource of information for its clients.

The society's founder and president, Christopher MacLeod, said the withdrawal of services is a direct result of a decision last month by Coquitlam city council to ban unlicensed marijuana dispensaries in the city.

[continues 321 words]

20 CN BC: PUB LTE: Pot Decision 'disappointing'Fri, 03 Aug 2012
Source:Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC) Author:Pultz, Jason Area:British Columbia Lines:47 Added:08/06/2012

Re: "City targets pot shop," Wednesday, Aug. 1.

To the mayor and all council members:

I'm very disappointed in the decision to shut down the dispensary.

I thought we were better than that. I thought this was Canada.

You need to stand up for your citizens. The benefits far outweigh the harm that these plants and this business could bring to the city.

If you're getting federal pressure, then push back. It's your job.

If you said no because of personal reasons then you should step down. You're supposed to be better than the ignorant masses and stand up for your citizens, especially those that can barely stand on their own.

[continues 108 words]


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