Activism Canada Legal

Trouble in Maritimes

Halifax club struggles after police raid By Debbie Stultz-Giffin We are endeavouring to feature one patient per province and territory this year as we share patients’ stories with the rest of the country. We will be focusing on patients who will live in fear of the repercussions of the looming MMPR, and how the loss […]

Feature

Better Oil, Better Health

Why hemp oil should be in every cupboard By Diane Walsh Hemp oil: one of the intriguing “potions” that Mother Nature, with her bobbing head and knowing smirk, bestowed on us mere mortals long, long ago. From Earth, is this oil! It’s oil from a smart plant indeed. Into our imperfect and sometimes ill-stricken body […]

Legal World

Updates From the States

  By Phillip Smith Oregon Bills Easing Marijuana Penalties Become Law Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber (D) Monday signed into law two measures that will reduce the punishments for certain marijuana-related offenses. The changes go into effect immediately. The first, Senate Bill 40, lowers the penalties for possession of more than an ounce of pot. Under […]

Cannabis RX
Science

Cannabis as Therapy

Overcoming the stigma By James Kerr, M.A. Clinical Counselor As a mental health therapist, I am conflicted when considering recent progress within the cannabis movement. Legalization in Washington and Colorado is historic. And campaigns such as British Columbia’s Sensible BC make it seem that it is only a matter of time before society as a […]

Canada Legal

Harsh Laws

A lawyer’s view on new mandatory minimum sentences By Kirk Tousaw In Nov. 2012, the Harper Conservative government ushered in new mandatory sentencing legislation for certain Controlled Drugs and Substances Act offences. Despite criticism from outside and inside government, and clear evidence that such sentences are harmful to the criminal justice system and society, the […]

Canada Legal

Maritime Crackdown

Halifax club strives to recover from Integrated Drug Unit bust   By Jess James In 1998, a small group of friends started a buyers’ group in order to make their cannabis consumption affordable. Black market prices had shot to a whopping ten bucks a gram on the streets. Heavy hitters who were plagued with poverty […]

World

No Hemp Yet?

DEA still fighting hemp production By Diane Walsh The US Drug Enforcement Agency’s ability to rely on the Controlled Substance Act, (defining marijuana as a Schedule 1 heroin-level category drug, and for which no clear distinction between hemp and marijuana exits) is what allows the DEA to obstruct the proliferation of hemp farming across the […]

Canada Legal

Mernagh Loses Bad

Appeal court overturns inaccessibility ruling By Al Graham In Apr. 2008, Matt Mernagh, who uses medical marijuana to deal with his fibromyalgia, scoliosis, epilepsy, and depression, was charged with the production of his medication. Unfortunately for him, he has been unable to find a doctor willing to sign the required MMAR paperwork, in order for […]