To tackle organized crime and those who lure young people into marijuana use, we need to legalize marijuana. This was one of the messages MP Bill Blair had at a town hall discussion at Cornell Community Centre Sunday. Markham-Stouffville MP Jane Philpott and Markham-Thornhill MP Mary Ng hosted the meeting on the legalization and regulation of cannabis with Blair, parliamentary secretary to the minister of justice and attorney general of Canada. In April 2017, the federal government introduced legislation to legalize and regulate recreational cannabis in Canada by July 2018. If passed, the proposed Cannabis Act would create rules for producing, using and selling cannabis across Canada. [continues 238 words]
When I was growing up, my parents employed some crazy family management practices, like put it out to the whole clan, "We're having takeout, what would you like to have for dinner?" This was the type of thing you did when you didn't have the internet or 500 TV channels. You let your kids entertain you. In the case of impromptu takeout nights, there was a catch. We were buying dinner from one place. We just needed a consensus on what that place would be. [continues 559 words]
Every week, one Unionville resident stopped in at the local convenience store to buy milk and lottery tickets. That is until she noticed some of what she considered unsightly items for sale - hash pipes, bongs and rolling papers. "The items were in a glass case. I never noticed them before," said Ayse Tanacan. "This is a nice neighbourhood. There is no need for that to be sold here. Whoever is buying this stuff is coming into our neighbourhood." To make matters worse, Daisy Mart - located at the corner of Carlton Road and Village Parkway - is near a local elementary school and is a popular spot for older students to buy gum and candy. [continues 758 words]
Fines could be similar to those issued for drinking in parks If you are found smoking a joint on a corner in York Region, should you end up with a criminal record? York Regional Police Chief Eric Jolliffe does not think so. He says a more measured approach should be considered for minor pot offences - the equivalent of someone holding 30 grams of marijuana, the equivalent of about 40 joints. For that amount, while also using officer's discretion, those who are simple users would be given a ticket, similar to what residents would receive for drinking in a park. [continues 671 words]
At age 15, Christian Carrington tried marijuana thinking it would help with his social anxiety. "Something inside me said I was less than," he said during a presentation hosted by Markham Stouffville Hospital. "I liked it. I felt relaxed. Pretty soon, that's all I was chasing." Later, while trying to maintain a normal life with a job and marriage, he became a chronic marijuana user and soon an addict. He began associating with potheads and dealers. Marijuana use led to using cocaine in his 30s. [continues 550 words]
It's 11 o'clock, do you know if your kids are smoking dope? Just like any other drug, there are risks associated with using marijuana. But sometimes, it can be difficult to find reliable information for parents of teens and youth. "There are strong beliefs one way or the other about marijuana use," said Dr. Amir Barsoum, psychiatrist with Markham Stouffville Hospital. "There are a lot of misconceptions and confusion out there." The hospital wants to start a dialogue with the parents about pot use. [continues 196 words]
Do you smoke pot? According to stats I saw this week, 12 per cent of Ontario residents 15 and over smoked marijuana at least once over a recent 12-month period. Which is about 1.3 million Ontarians. Or about 130,000 people here in York Region. This is according to Statistics Canada's Canadian Community Health Survey for 2012, which asked Canadians over 15 if they used cannabis or hash. Keep in mind these were only the people willing to admit to using pot. [continues 533 words]
As the number of York Region marijuana operations continues to decline, debate about the medicinal use and cultivation of the drug grows. Using marijuana has allowed Storm Peschel to begin working and his attendance at school has improved. The 18-year-old York Region resident has multiple synostosis syndrome, a rare bone disorder that has dealt him chronic pain and joint discomfort. About three years ago, after trying other medication, including codeine, to deal with his pain, he began using medicinal marijuana. [continues 748 words]
Let's get this straight. The federal government grants licences to individuals to grow "medicinal" marijuana for their own use, but refuses to tell the local police who holds such licences and it appears inspections are all but non-existent. Does anyone see the potential for abuse here? We've all heard about levels of government or agencies tasked with our protection failing to communicate with one another, but this takes it to a whole new level. Licensed or not, a marijuana growing operation, particularly one that operates without oversight, comes with inherent risk. There's potential for mould and electrical problems, not to mention attracting criminals if word gets out about what's going on inside the home. [continues 167 words]
A Markham man, who had his home and more than $17,000 cash seized, has lost his appeal to get his home back. Yiu Ngau Lok was charged with theft of hydro, producing marijuana and possessing marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, according to a court of appeal ruling released Sept. 5. Through the Attorney General's diversion program, Mr. Lok accepted responsibility for the offences. As a result, the three charges were withdrawn, Mr. Lok made a charitable donation and forfeited equipment seized in the investigation, the appeals court ruling states. [continues 209 words]
It is not surprising a new study says the number and average age of pot smokers in Ontario is rising. Use of the drug once was most prevalent among teens and twenty-somethings. But now the average pot user is 31, according to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, which notes smoking and drinking are in decline. Those teens who got high in the 1970s, '80s or '90s are now adults with kids of their own, but many are still smoking up. In fact, 14 per cent of adults are smoking pot with some regularity. [continues 298 words]
Re: Tories fixing system before we know it's broken, column by David Teetzel Nov. 21. If long prison sentences deterred illicit drug use, Canada's southern neighbor would be drug-free. That's not the case. The drug war has done little other than give the former land of the free the highest incarceration rate in the world. It's worth noting tobacco use has declined considerably in recent years. Public education efforts are paying off. Apparently, mandatory minimum sentences, civil asset forfeiture, random drug testing and racial profiling are not necessarily the most cost-effective means of discouraging unhealthy choices. Drug abuse is bad, but the drug war is worse. Policy Analyst Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington, DC [end]
Did you happen to catch Corner Gas the other night? It was a classic. Cranky old Oscar somehow ended up as a replacement school bus driver and, knowing today's kids are all unruly hooligans, he imposed an immediate zero-tolerance policy. After his search for booze among the clean-cut, church-going teenagers (who all called him "sir") turned up nothing, he banned reading and confiscated their pens, until he finally provoked a riot. I wonder if Justice Minister Rob Nicholson was watching. [continues 612 words]
Pills Marketed To Teens, Investigators Believe (Markham) - A York Regional Police break and enter investigation on the Scarborough border led investigators to a $21-million ecstasy lab Friday. At about 6 p.m., York officers working on an unrelated case in the McCowan Road and Steeles Avenue area saw three men breaking into 60 Penmarric Place. While arresting the burglars, York officers discovered an ecstasy lab, notified Toronto police and secured the scene until they arrived. Toronto officers, armed with a warrant, raided the home, seizing 214 kilograms of MDMA, which can be made into ecstasy, as well as 140,000 ecstasy pills worth $21.4 million on the streets, Toronto police said. [continues 341 words]
Re: Organization Wants Drug-Free Zones Around Schools, Sept. 21. The task force headed by Julian Fantino has proposed the implementation of drug-free zones within a 1,000-foot radius of schools, parks and other city-owned public facilities. While this initiative is admirable, how many "non-zoned" areas will be left with easy access to students who are willing to make the journey? Plenty. Drug dealers will always be around. They are not interested in our welfare, our future or giving back to our community. [continues 338 words]
Murder Victims Known To York Police The murder of two Georgina bikers, among the eight Bandidos gang members shot to death in southwestern Ontario last weekend, will have little impact on outlaw biker gang activity in York Region, police said. "Specifically, it doesn't mean that much," York Regional Police investigative services Insp. Tom Carrique said. "Just that two residents were victims in a homicide." Eight bodies were found last Saturday stuffed in several abandoned vehicles on a farm in Shedden in what has been called one of the worst mass murders in Ontario's history. [continues 655 words]
Chinese Leader Sees Grow-Ops As Problem As the newest member of York Region's police services board, Richmond Hill entrepreneur Daisy Wai is ready to tackle some serious issues. "One of the major concerns in this community is the (marijuana) grow ops," she said. "I know the board has been working hard on this issue already, but we must do all we can to get rid of this problem." Ms Wai, who runs two advertising firms in Richmond Hill, moved to the area from Hong Kong 23 years ago. [continues 182 words]
Many Customers Grow Vegetables: Shop Owner Hydroponic stores should help police track down marijuana grow operations, a York Regional Police drug squad officer says. If indoor growing supply shops tracked customer purchases and informed police of suspicious buys, it would make stopping large-scale marijuana operations easier, Det. Don Cardwell said. "We just want them to co-operate with us," he said. But just because a store sells hydroponics and indoor growing equipment, it doesn't mean it's supplying marijuana operations, Wendy Herbert of Markham Hydroponics said. [continues 415 words]
Policies Fixed After Officers Found Guilty Of Faking Notes The chief of police and president of the York Regional Police association can agree on one thing; the grand total of four York cops facing disciplinary hearings is not very many. "I get upset when I see any police officer has not followed our procedure," Chief Armand La Barge said. "It bothers me and upsets me. But with almost 1,200 officers on staff, having four before disciplinary tribunals is not an outrageous number. And it must be remembered that these are charges, no officer has been found guilty. They've simply been charged and are innocent until proven guilty." [continues 285 words]
I frequently take my son to Personna Park, which for the most part is spectacular. The grounds are beautifully maintained and the playground equipment is immaculate. However, the way the grounds are treated by the people using the park is horrific. The playground area is littered with cigarette butts (perfect for babies to chew on), despite the fact bins are provided throughout the park. Although I find this extremely annoying, my breaking point was reached when I saw my one-year-old son walking through the park carrying what seemed to be a water bottle. It turned out to be a homemade bong, a device used to smoke drugs. [continues 111 words]
