Re. Why not legalize everything? Letter, Sept. 21: As an upstanding citizen of society in my 35th year of living, I have experienced a lot of ignorance towards marijuana and the supposed effects it has on people. There are a lot of reasons why legalizing marijuana will be a great step in the right direction. Unfortunately, there is a large population who thinks they know something about the so-called illicit drug, but the reality is they know nothing, due to their inability to look past this so-called gateway drug. [continues 111 words]
Re. Why not legalize everything?, Letter, Sept. 23: I am a "senior" in my fifth decade who is offended deeply by this letter. Marijuana was purely and simply outlawed in the 1930s by Harry J. Anslinger merely because of corporate pressure for what scientists could manufacture in a lab to soar profits. Is the writer even aware of the many medical benefits of CBDs or the many societal uses of hemp, the non-psychoactive parts of marijuana (hint: these are the very reasons it was outlawed in the first place). [continues 190 words]
Mothers galvanize regional politicians with powerful stories of loss of kids to overdoses NIAGARA - Wilma Thompson was hearing about the horrific death toll the opioid crisis sweeping across the country was having, so she pulled her daughter Jaena, age 19, aside last year. "I said please don't ever try this stuff: it will kill you," the St. Catharines mom said. "She said 'mom, I would never do that.' " Two months later, Jaena didn't answer repeated calls to her phone. Her family called 911 and emergency responders found her dead in her apartment. Of an opioid overdose. [continues 1052 words]
The development of a medical marijuana farm in Port Colborne has created confusion and concern from residents and council. With new regulations from Health Canada coming into effect in 2014, council recently asked city staff to look into what the regulations will mean for local municipalities. A report came back to council on Monday, outlining some of the plans from Health Canada. "I think it's really important to be on top of the situation and facts as they unfold," said Ward 4 Coun. Barb Butters. [continues 329 words]
