Police will be able to throw stoners in the drunk tank, under proposed rules Even though private retail rules aren't expected to be ready in time for cannabis legalization this summer, the Yukon government provided a first look at what the new licencing rules could eventually look like for privately-run stores. The territorial government released a summary of its proposed draft legislation Jan. 11. The paperwork provides a few more details about how cannabis could be managed when it is legalized. [continues 876 words]
Territorial government still deciding between private, public, hybrid models, Silver says The Yukon's premier says he is confident the territory will have at least one brick-and-mortar shop selling cannabis when the drug becomes legal across Canada in July. "There will be, in the Yukon, your ability to at least go into the liquor store here in Whitehorse - at the bare minimum," Silver said Oct. 4 after returning from the first ministers' meeting in Ottawa. "We believe as we move forward we will have some kind of distribution ready to go at that time." [continues 774 words]
Territory will likely have 'phased-in approach' to new weed laws The territorial government wants to know what the public is looking for in upcoming marijuana legislation. In an online survey, open until Sept. 30, the government is asking Yukoners to answer questions about where cannabis could be consumed in public, how it will be sold, the legal age for consumption, and whether any changes need to happen to the territory's occupational health and safety or driving laws. It's all being done in anticipation of the federal legalization of recreational cannabis on July 1, 2018. [continues 535 words]
Debt, decreasing job prospects and doobies were on the minds of high school students questioning politicians at Wednesday's federal election forum. The loudest reaction from the crowd at F.H. Collins came when one student asked Conservative incumbent Ryan Leef, Liberal candidate Larry Bagnell, NDP candidate Melissa Atkinson and Green candidate Frank de Jong what their positions were on legalizing marijuana. The biggest surprise of the forum came from Ryan Leef, who appeared, during the 60 seconds he had to answer the question, to support decriminalization. [continues 650 words]
Marijuana found in the car of a former Whitehorse jail guard can't be used as evidence at his upcoming trial after a judge criticized the jail staff for violating his rights. However, Ritalin pills found in his pocket are admissible, the judge said. Michael Gaber is charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking. Prosecutors allege he was smuggling drugs into the Whitehorse Correctional Centre. His trial is scheduled for early November. According to a decision by Justice Ron Veale, Gaber arrived at the jail for a shift on Dec. 23, 2013 at 2:30 p.m. He was met by the jail's deputy superintendent of operations, Geoff Wooding, and brought to a boardroom with superintendent Jayme Curtis. [continues 770 words]
Methadone is once again going to be offered at the Whitehorse Correctional Centre. Three years after inmates started being forced off the drug, justice officials say they are now equipped to start offering it again. In March 2012, the department cancelled the program, which started in 2008. That prompted a tongue-lashing from advocates and the president of the Yukon Medical Association, who called the decision "inhumane." At the time, the jail didn't have the means to continue the program safely, spokesperson Caitlin Kerwin said Thursday. [continues 851 words]
A ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada is causing some Red Deer-area school districts to re-examine their policies on the use of drug-sniffing dogs. The country's top court ruled Friday that random searches by sniffer dogs are unlawful, based on two cases the court reviewed. "We'll obviously be getting legal advice to see how this ruling effects our policies," Red Deer Catholic Regional Division superintendent Paulette Hanna said following the announcement. Since 2003, the division has given principals the power to call in privately trained drug-sniffing dogs to spontaneously search middle schools and high schools for drugs. [continues 391 words]
Jill Lanz knows the drug culture in Red Deer better than a lot of people in her position. After all, she spent most of her teenage years addicted to opiates, drifted from Vancouver to Red Deer and often living on the streets. A high school dropout, for a long time she was not interested in getting an education or getting clean. Now five years after her brother encouraged her to get on a methadone program, she is married and has earned a degree is social work from Red Deer College. [continues 391 words]
After 28 years on the Vancouver police force, Tony Smith believes the "war on drugs" is creating far more problems than it's solving. During a 45-minute speech at the Alberta Harm Reduction Conference on Thursday, Smith argued legalizing all drugs would lower crime, and take control of the drug industry out of the hands of dangerous criminals. The retired officer is a member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a non-profit organization of former judges, prosecutors, federal agents and police officers from around the world that argues that drugs should be legalized and taxed similar to alcohol. [continues 361 words]
The banning of street drugs creates an environment that makes criminals rich and has more victims than if drugs were legalized. That's the message retired Vancouver police officer Tony Smith will be sharing at this year's Alberta Harm Reduction Conference at the Capri Hotel on March 26 and 27. Smith is a member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), a non-profit organization of former judges, prosecutors, federal agents and police officers from around the world, which argues drugs should be legalized and taxed similar to alcohol. [continues 260 words]
Caribana Concern Fuels 2nd Protest Finally an answer to the question: "What have those politicians been smoking?" Thousands of potheads marched to Queen's Park yesterday chanting, "We love weed," part of a worldwide celebration of "cannabis culture." Toronto was one of 200 cities around the world to take part in Global Marijuana March, promoting the legalization of marijuana and the acceptance of the right to smoke it. "It's really a celebration of the cannabis community; we wanted to take the day to enjoy each other's company," said Domenic Russo, general manager of Cannabis As Living Medicine(CALM), one of the event organizers. "But there's also the underlying message of the importance of legalizing medical marijuana and the acceptance of people who smoke it." [continues 132 words]
Residents in the 16th Avenue and McCowan Road area were shocked firefighters found a $10-million ecstasy lab in their quiet end of Markham Saturday. "This is a good neighbourhood," said Rosario Ragas, who, since 1985, has lived blocks from the Manhattan Drive home where York Regional Police found at least 50 kilograms of powdered ecstasy ready to be pressed into pills. "I would never have guessed they'd find something like this here." It was the sharp eye of another resident concerned about smoke coming from the garage early Saturday morning that led to the discovery. [continues 462 words]
Lab Discovered By Firefighters Responding To Blaze Residents in the 16th Avenue and McCowan Road area were shocked firefighters found a $10-million ecstasy lab in their quiet end of Markham Saturday. "This is a good neighbourhood," said Rosario Ragas, who, since 1985, has lived blocks from the Manhattan Drive home where York Regional Police found at least 50 kilograms of powdered ecstasy ready to be pressed into pills. "I would never have guessed they'd find something like this here." [continues 481 words]
