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 […]
Some Thoughts on Recent Events Nothing has captured the public imagination and influenced lawmakers more powerfully in recent months than the news on CBD-rich cannabis oil and its remarkable ability to quell seizures in children with epilepsy. Since the 2013 airing of CNN’s documentary, “Weeds I,” which brought us the story of young Charlotte Figi […]
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 […]
Recent moves on the part of two city governments in BC, in defiance of federal law, to regulate medical cannabis dispensaries, and similar moves in twenty-three US states over the past two years represent giant steps forward on the road to legalizing medical cannabis. Key builders of that road have been patients and their companions […]
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” […]
Cannabis Digest Issue #44
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 […]