Lawyers waiting for judge's decision before trial starts in September The outcome of two court challenges could impact the next move in the criminal case of a Coe Hill physician stripped of his medical licence, as Crown and defence lawyers gear up to start jury selection in preparation for trial next month. Dan Stein, Rob Kamermans' Toronto lawyer, said there are two things that must be addressed before trial proceedings commence on Sept. 11. "We still haven't got a ruling on a week-and-a-half of motions," Stein said. "The judge indicated that the ruling should come next week. We brought two distinct motions, so we're waiting for two major rulings." [continues 345 words]
BELLEVILLE - The outcome of two court challenges could impact the next move in the criminal case of a Coe Hill physician stripped of his medical licence, as Crown and defence lawyers gear up to start jury selection in preparation for trial next month. Dan Stein, Rob Kamermans' Toronto lawyer, said there are two things that must be addressed before trial proceedings commence on Sept. 11. "We still haven't got a ruling on a week-and-a-half of motions," Stein said. "The judge indicated that the ruling should come next week. We brought two distinct motions, so we' re waiting for two major rulings." [continues 346 words]
The Kenhteke Cannabis Association is pushing back against the Mohawk band council and Tyendinaga police. The association is hosting a meeting on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Reserve to address recent statements about the legality of marijuana dispensaries in the community. "We uphold our people's traditional decision making process through our Clans, Nation, and Confederacy," a statement released by the group reads. "We do not recognize the authority or jurisdiction of foreign entities such as the Tyendinaga Police or the elected band council on our lands, culture, economy, and politics." [continues 393 words]
Police chief Ron Maracle said there is a plan of action, but won't say what it is The Mohawk police chief is set to initiate 'proactive policing' to address the proliferation of illegal marijuana dispensaries on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory. "There is a plan of action, but I'm not looking to put it out at this point," said chief Ron Maracle about potential police initiatives to crack down on the dispensaries which have been warned about the risk of continuing operation without proper licences. "I still have another meeting with chief and council, on Monday, before I put my plan in action." [continues 435 words]
A month after a failed bid to have his case dismissed, Dr. Rob Kamermans has launched a challenge aimed at discrediting search warrants executed on several locations including his Coe Hill practise, which led to criminal charges for which he is to be placed on trial in September. "Those warrants should never have been issued, were overly broad and failed to include provisions dealing with the reasonableness of the search, and therefore with the evidence gathered, should be excluded," Dan Stein, Kamermans' Toronto lawyer, told The Intelligencer during the hearings here last week. [continues 441 words]
A Coe Hill physician stripped of his medical licence has lost his appeal to have a string of criminal charges levied against him dropped due to what the defence claimed was unreasonable delays to reach trial. Dan Stein, Rob Kamermans' Toronto lawyer, said Justice Robert Scott ruled in favour of the prosecution which submitted that it was not to be blamed for the inordinate amount of time the case is taking to reach trial. "Our application has been dismissed," Stein told The Intelligencer. "We are waiting for the reasoning. Justice Scott wanted to give us an answer because we have a week of motions setup. Now that the application was dismissed we're faced with a week of pre-trial motions starting on Monday (May 15)." [continues 558 words]
Hearings for Rob Kamermans have been scheduled for February Court proceedings are taking another step toward trial this week for a former Coe Hill physician whose certificate to practise medicine was revoked in July. Court officials confirmed what is expected to be a round of extensive pre-trial hearings is scheduled for Feb. 2 in the case of embattled former doctor, Rob Kamermans, who has been on bail since he was charged in 2012. In July 2016, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario disciplinary committee revoked Dr. Kamermans' certificate of registration. [continues 327 words]
Louis Hopper is appalled by a startling discovery he made in a park space near his Montrose Road subdivision. Hopper found a section of a Montrose Road-area park littered with drug paraphernalia during a routine walk in the neighbourhood with his dog Friday. "I show up and there is bloody Kleenexes all in a pile, about five or six syringes on the ground, a rubber band and spoons to heat up drugs," he said. "They were just thrown there on the ground." [continues 205 words]
Medical marijuana users could end up in a lot of heat if they decide to light up or vaporize pot in public places, said local public health officials and area politicians. Transit chairman Jack Miller said the province is now inching toward reversing rules permitting medical marijuana users to smoke their medicine in a variety of public places. "Apparently, the Ontario government is going to clamp down on vaping medical marijuana," Miller said of the policy u-turn. "The legislation is about to be tightened up." [continues 524 words]
Transit advisory group faces dilemma after Dec. 23 decision to kick man off bus One man's medical marijuana usage on a city bus could now spark a legal debate. The transit advisory committee is asking council to seek legal advice on the nuances and room for challenging provincial legislation permitting the use of medical marijuana in public places. Ongoing discussions around whether or not medical vaporizer usage should be allowed aboard transit was ignited by a Christopher Hobin, who was kicked off a city bus on Dec. 23, when he used the electronic device stacked with pot prescribed for his varied chronic pain and stomach ailments. [continues 287 words]
Council won't be butting-out on proceeding with setting ground rules for medical marijuana production and sale here. Despite opposition from some councillors, the motion to enact a rejigged bylaw sheltering the city's interest went ahead as recommended by the planning advisory committee. Coun. Paul Carr and former police inspector, Coun. Mike Graham, are vehemently against legalization, despite the fact that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has handpicked former Toronto police chief Bill Blair to lead the federal government's agenda for legalization. [continues 288 words]
Despite apprehension from some around the table, the planning advisory committee has lit up bylaw amendments aimed at sheltering the city from improper medical marijuana production and sale. City council will now have to decide if the committee recommendation to clearly define how and where these retail and manufacturing facilities can operate can proceed on to become law. Public input can be submitted on the issue as well. Coun. Paul Carr declined to back the definitions due to reservations about the inclusion of dispensaries and the sale of marijuana and its byproducts from those facilities. A motion to slash the dispensary (retail) aspect failed to pass. [continues 488 words]
Residents have opportunity to discuss city's approach to production, distribution Local residents will now get an opportunity to chime in on the city's bid to set the ground rules for medical marijuana production and sale here. Though the public is expected to have its say once the document reaches the planning advisory committee Monday - then on to council for a vote - the report preceding what's expected to be an amended bylaw indicates "no concerns or objections have been received to date in response to the circulation and public notice." [continues 523 words]
Former City Cop, Current Councillor Vehemently Opposed A former senior police officer turned councillor wants to butt out any grey areas linked to the regulation of medical marijuana production and use here. Coun. Mike Graham, a former police inspector, isn't high on the idea of opening the door to legalization or grey areas linked to production and retail sales, but says he supports usage for medical purposes only. "I don't know what's coming down the tube," Graham said, of the uncertainty of the Liberals' move to institute new more relaxed legislation. "I'm deadly against marijuana legalization, but I'm not against it for medical usage, that's why it's important it has the word medical attached. We need to draw the line there." [continues 563 words]
Wineries and breweries should brace themselves for some unusual competition. Colorado, which legalized marijuana for recreational use in 2012, will get its first "weedery" in early 2016. The $35 million project, Green Man Cannabis Ranch and Amphitheater, the brainchild of Christian Hageseth, is set to open in Denver. Its greenhouses represent a major shift because producers have largely cultivated marijuana indoors; there will also be a performance space, a restaurant, a rooftop bar, a gift shop and, of course, a marijuana dispensary. [continues 502 words]
Re "Pot grown outside is a waste of water" (Editorials, July 31): Your editorial on the outdoor cultivation of cannabis is absurd. The size of the cannabis plant will determine how much water she requires and how often she requires watering. I cannot speak to a plant that requires 5 to 10 gallons per day, as I have never come close to growing such a gargantuan plant. Nine plants of modest size drink between 4.5 and 9 gallons every two days, depending on the temperature and their stage of growth. That's a far cry from the 5 to 10 gallons of water per plant cited by your editorial. This amount of water can easily be recovered from one's shower or sink. [continues 79 words]
Appeal Hearings The trial date for a Coe Hill doctor related to his involvement with medical marijuana prescriptions has been snarled by appeal hearings. Delays in the criminal proceedings launched against Dr. Rob Kamermans, who was committed stand trial on a slate of charges in Belleville last fall, has not slowed a string of separate ongoing disciplinary hearings levied against him by the College of Physicians and Surgeons. The family practitioner and his wife have been committed to stand trial for a host of charges including substance trafficking, and fraud and money laundering linked to medical marijuana. He's already facing a host of restrictions on his medical practice as a result and the college is moving ahead with further punitive measures. [continues 516 words]
Rob and Mary Kamermans Face Series of Charges BELLEVILLE - A Coe Hill family practitioner and his wife have been committed to stand trial for a host of charges including, substance trafficking, fraud and money laundering related to his involvement with medical marijuana prescriptions. Rob and Mary Kamermans will face trial for a series of charges stemming from his alleged dispensing of marijuana prescriptions to patients in jurisdictions across Canada, including his Bancroft medical practice, located about 90 minutes north of Belleville. [continues 590 words]
Proceedings to begin next month A Coe Hill family practitioner and his wife have been committed to stand trial for a host of charges including, substance trafficking, fraud and money laundering related to his involvement with medical marijuana prescriptions. Rob and Mary Kamermans will face trial for a series of charges stemming from his alleged dispensing of marijuana prescriptions to patients in jurisdictions across Canada, including his Bancroft medical practice, located about 90 minutes north of Belleville. Both accused where in attendance at the Quinte courthouse in Belleville, Thursday, as Justice Stephen Hunter read his reasons for committal. Though the couple, via their Toronto lawyer Davin Charney, sought to schedule their next appearance in January, Justice Hunter insisted he wanted to expedite the matter, settling instead for Dec. 5 date. [continues 534 words]
DRE: In 2014, Just Three Evaluations Have Been Done on Drivers Suspected of Being High Behind the Wheel Fewer suspected high drivers are being tested as Calgary's team of drug-recognition experts continues to be plagued by attrition. In 2014, only three evaluations have been done on motorists suspected of sitting high behind the wheel. That's down from a total of 11 completed tests last year and 23 in 2012. The dip in the drug-impairment tests comes as the number of DRE agents has fallen to five from 20 over the same span - one more than the Red Deer Mounties, who patrol a much smaller population. [continues 267 words]
