Canada’s Cannabis Journal since 2010
Those who have known me for many years are aware that I have consistently advocated for major reforms to Canada’s drug laws. The current perception of drug users as faceless criminals needs to shift to include neighbours, co-workers, and family members. As patients, individuals require access to cannabis for legitimate medicinal purposes and/or compassionate health […]
For Immediate Release Mon June 8, 2015 Victoria, B.C.: On Thurs June 11, 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada will hand down its decision in the trial of Owen Smith, former head baker for the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club. This is the first time the highest court in the land has ruled on a medical […]
(Title image: Vancouver Sun) (This is part of a series of blogs by Owen Smith on the Medical Cannabis Extract Trial) On a cold December morning, 4 years after my arrest, I attended the BC Court of Appeal to witness the oral arguments of the two crown prosecutors and my lawyer, Kirk Tousaw, in front […]
Tilray has announced they are leaving the CMCIA, the nascent Canadian Medical Cannabis Association, because the group wouldn’t adhere to to ‘morals and ethics’ of the US-owned mega producer. They have instead decided to form their own industry association called the Canadian Medical Cannabis Council. That’s right, ethics and morals. You see, Tilray is saying […]
By Ted Smith There is one organization in Canada that has the potential to build a network of activists capable of influencing politicians and convincing judges to dismantle cannabis prohibition. One organization that almost everyone in the cannabis industry has heard about but few have actually joined. One organization that could be used by the […]
By Owen Smith Kirk Tousaw is one of Canada’s top Cannabis lawyers. Born in the state of Michigan, Kirk has been an advocate for cannabis legalization since high school. He obtained a degree in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy before moving to Vancouver in 2002. There he completed his Masters thesis on the “Malmo-Levine case” […]
The recent announcement by the city of Vancouver to regulate medical cannabis dispensaries is causing a stir on all sides. The federal government immediately denounced the decision, Rona Ambrose repeating that dispensaries are not part of the legal Medical Marihuana regulations (MMPR). Licensed producers have spoken to the value of their service as superseding the […]
By Ted Smith This spring I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon on a tractor helping Blake Hunter plant hemp seeds on Vancouver Island. His family has been growing hemp in Saskatchewan since 2006 when he started his company, Good Seed Hemp. Though my family has been farming in Canada for 7 generations on […]
On May 14 2015, under the direction of Mayor Lisa Helps, Victoria City Council voted to follow Vancouver City Council’s lead and regulate medical cannabis dispensaries as legitimate, taxable Victoria businesses. Over the next few weeks, in conjunction with the city’s legislative and regulatory offices, city police, and senior members of the cannabis […]
By Ted Smith On Thurs May 14, 2015, the Victoria City Council is expected to formally request city staff to prepare bylaws to license medical cannabis dispensaries. While the vast majority of local citizens have expressed support for this development, a local consultant has decided to jump into the fray with a letter so biased […]