'Disorganized criminals,' new law force mob, bikers away from meagre earnings Once a relatively safe, profitable business for outlaw bikers and mobsters, organized crime is moving away from the marijuana market because legalization and homegrown pot are making any gain not worth the risk, experts say. The market share in the pot business for organized criminals has already slid as pot-loving "disorganized criminals" perfected their horticultural skills. There wasn't much need to smuggle pot into the country when Canadian cannabis connoisseurs liked the homegrown stuff better, experts say. [continues 285 words]
An illegal west-end pot shop has not let a recent string of robberies run it out of business. The CannaGreen shop at 102 McEwen Ave., off Richmond Road, was robbed for the third time in two months this past weekend. Late Monday morning, the front glass door of the business remained shattered, evidence of a Saturday night smash and grab. The vandalized door was propped open, allowing for the scent of pot to emanate from the store that appeared to have patrons coming and going. Two employees - one behind a glass display case and the other behind a wall with a service window where customers receive product from the back room - would not comment on the incident. [continues 243 words]
British Columbia recorded 935 deaths due to drug overdoses in 2016 and the number is projected to surpass 1,400 by the end of 2017. Approaches to this epidemic include the antidote Naloxone, injection sites, education etc. These are fine, but do not address the real problem, which is reducing drug availability by reducing the number of dealers and suppliers. Singapore has enacted laws which include capital punishment for dealers and suppliers of illicit drugs. Draconian, yes, but if we as a society have to choose between the deaths of dealers who knowingly destroy lives and families, or deaths of thousands of our young adults, the decision is a no-brainer. [continues 135 words]
There should be zero tolerance for pot use by drivers or their passengers, a new report by the Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario branch recommends. The report, Cannabis Legalization and Regulation, also says that all marijuana revenue should go to fund mental health and addiction services, and that the minimum age to purchase the product should be 19 years old. "The risk is that legalization of cannabis may lead to an increase in use among Ontarians," Camille Quenneville, CEO of CMHA Ontario, said in a statement Monday. "When taken together, our recommendations can minimize the harms associated with cannabis use and support a public health approach to this issue." [continues 331 words]
There should be zero tolerance for pot use by drivers or their passengers, a new report by the Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario branch recommends. The report, Cannabis Legalization and Regulation, also says that all marijuana revenue should go to fund mental health and addiction services, and that the minimum age to purchase the product should be 19 years old. "The risk is that legalization of cannabis may lead to an increase in use among Ontarians," Camille Quenneville, CEO of CMHA Ontario, said in a statement Monday. "When taken together, our recommendations can minimize the harms associated with cannabis use and support a public health approach to this issue." [continues 369 words]
Officials in Toronto are trying to partially open three safe- injection sites months earlier than anticipated, due to a rise in overdoses and deaths. Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto's medical officer of health, said"interim safe injection sites" will be opened at three Health Canada- approved permanent sites until renovations to the long-term facilities are complete. "We' re trying to open them as quickly as possible," she said, adding that, while she didn't have an exact date, the sites could be up and running in a matter of days. [continues 374 words]
Jailing addicts does nothing to stop substance abuse, says Michael Spratt. Last week, Ottawa's medical officer of health, Dr. Isra Levy, pledged Ottawa Public Health's support for "new evidence-based approaches" to combat the problems caused by illegal drugs including - wait for it - decriminalization. City Coun. Mathieu Fleury said, "It's a crazy thought, but it's a crazy thought that might actually have some merit." Fleury should be commended. Where Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson had cast off the shackles of evidence-based thinking to stand against the city's first safe consumption site, Fleury's open mindedness is a breath of fresh air. [continues 635 words]
B.C. is heading for another record year for fentanyl overdose deaths. Despite making Naloxone antidote kits widely available, the death rate is up 88 per cent over last year, which was also a record year. Last year, according to figures available online, B.C. had 935 deaths from drug overdoses. This year, the province had 780 deaths by the end of June. If the rate continues, the province will hit 1,400 deaths by the end of the year. But in the welter of data, I find two facts interesting. [continues 685 words]
The ancillary cannabis industry, including technology and logistics, could be where Canadian firms shine. During a gold rush, there's often as much money to be made selling picks and shovels as digging in the dirt. One year out from the legalization of recreational marijuana, a number of Canadian companies are betting that this logic holds true for the country's cannabis rush. With weed producers rushing to list on the TSX and other stock exchanges, investor interest has focused mostly on companies that can supply the drug. But the ancillary parts of the industry, based on intellectual property, technology and logistics, could ultimately be where Canadian companies shine on the global stage. [continues 807 words]
B.C. is heading for another record year for fentanyl overdose deaths. Despite making Naloxone antidote kits widely available, the death rate is up 88 per cent over last year, which was also a record year. Last year, according to figures available online, B.C. had 935 deaths from drug overdoses. This year, the province had 780 deaths by the end of June. If the rate continues, the province will hit 1,400 deaths by the end of the year. But in the welter of data, I find two facts interesting. [continues 465 words]
