Federal Cannabis Legislation Bill C-045

BILL C-45
 http://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/42-1/bill/C-45/third-reading
An Act respecting cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts
AS PASSED
BY THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
NOVEMBER 27, 2017

Pot Legal prior to B.C. Municipal election.

https://www.castanet.net/news/Canada/229336/Legal-weed-as-of-Oct-17
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says recreational marijuana will be legal in Canada as of Oct. 17. Trudeau made the announcement during question period in the House of Commons, which is expected to rise for the summer break after today. He says the government has delayed the legalization schedule in order to give the provinces and territories more time to implement their regimes.
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Third Reading of Cannabis Legislation B.C. May 2018

BILL 30 – 2018

CANNABIS CONTROL AND LICENSING ACT

https://www.leg.bc.ca/Pages/BCLASS-Legacy.aspx#%2Fcontent%2Fdata%2520-%2520ldp%2Fpages%2F41st3rd%2F1st_read%2Fgov30-1.htm
Certified correct as passed Third Reading on the 17th day of May, 2018
Craig James, Clerk of the House

BILL 31 – 2018

CANNABIS DISTRIBUTION ACT

https://www.leg.bc.ca/Pages/BCLASS-Legacy.aspx#%2Fcontent%2Fdata%2520-%2520ldp%2Fpages%2F41st3rd%2F1st_read%2Fgov31-1.htm
Certified correct as passed Third Reading on the 15th day of May, 2018
Craig James, Clerk of the House

B.C. Cannabis private retail licensing guide

• https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/employment-business-and-economic-development/business-management/liquor-regulation-licensing/documents/5847_cannabis_privateretailguide_v03.pdf

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Progress of Bills:

https://www.leg.bc.ca/parliamentary-business/legislation-debates-proceedings/41st-parliament/3rd-session/bills/progress-of-bills

Authorized Licensed Producers of Cannabis for Medical Purposes

Authorized Licensed Producers of Cannabis for Medical Purposes
The map below shows all licences issued by Health Canada under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR). Only producers who are authorized to produce and sell to the public may sell or provide dried marijuana, fresh marijuana, cannabis oil, or starting materials to eligible persons.

List of Authorized Licensed Producers
The tables below contain all licensed producers who have been issued a licence by Health Canada. Contact information is only listed for licensed producers who are authorized to sell to registered persons/clients who wish to access cannabis for medical purposes. The list is sorted by alphabetical order. Please check this website regularly for updated information.

Cannabis retail, driving laws amongst new firm-on-safety policy decisions

https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018PSSG0006-000151
Cannabis retail, driving laws amongst new firm-on-safety policy decisions NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release 2018PSSG0006-000151 Feb. 5, 2018 VICTORIA – As British Columbia works towards the federal timeline for legalization of nonmedical cannabis in July 2018, the Province continues to set policy direction to meet the needs and expectations of British Columbians. “As a result of months of engagement, additional research and analysis, we continue to build the Province’s regulatory framework and have set policy direction on other key aspects of how non-medical cannabis will be regulated in B.C.,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “These decisions include safeguards for the retail sales of non-medical cannabis and are driven by our priorities of protecting youth, promoting health and safety, keeping the criminal element out of cannabis and keeping our roads safe.” The following decisions will inform the development of legislation in preparation for federal legalization of non-medical cannabis in July.

Retail framework
As was announced in December 2017, government is releasing details on the Province’s proposed retail framework. British Columbians of legal age will be able to purchase nonmedical cannabis through privately run retail stores or government-operated retail stores and government online sales. B.C.’s Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) will operate a new standalone network of public retail stores and the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch (LCLB) will be responsible for licensing private stores and monitoring the retail sector. The operating rules governing public and private retail stores will be similar to those currently in place for liquor. However, to promote responsible use, licensed retailers will not be able to sell cannabis in the same stores as liquor or tobacco. In urban areas, licensed retailers will only be allowed to sell cannabis and cannabis accessories, and will be prohibited from selling other products, such as food, gas, clothing and lottery. The B.C. government recognizes that retail access for people in rural areas will require a different approach than those used in urban communities and will establish exceptions for rural non-medical cannabis retail stores, similar to those of rural liquor stores. The criteria for determining these rural areas are currently under development. This spring, the Province will launch an early registration process for individuals and businesses who are interested in applying for a cannabis retail licence. Although B.C. will not cap the number of retail licences available, licences will not be issued without the support of local governments, which will have the authority to make local decisions, based on the needs of their communities. Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Additional details on the retail framework, including frequently asked questions for potential applicants, are available at: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Cannabis_Private_Retail_Licensing_Guide.pdf

Personal public possession limits
Adults aged 19 years and older will be allowed to possess up to 30 grams of non-medical cannabis in a public place, which aligns with the federal government's proposed possession limit for adults. Those under the legal age of 19 years will be prohibited from possessing any amount of nonmedical cannabis. Additionally, cannabis transported in a motor vehicle will need to be in a sealed package, or inaccessible to vehicle occupants.

Places of use
B.C. will generally allow adults to use non-medical cannabis in public spaces where tobacco smoking and vaping are permitted. However, to minimize child and youth exposure, smoking and vaping of non-medical cannabis will be banned in areas frequented by children, including community beaches, parks and playgrounds. Use of cannabis in any form will also be banned for all occupants in vehicles. Local governments will be able to set additional restrictions, as they do now for tobacco use. In addition, landlords and strata councils will be able to restrict or prohibit non-medical cannabis smoking and vaping at tenanted and strata properties.

Personal cultivation
B.C. will align with the proposed federal legislation and allow adults to grow up to four cannabis plants per household, but the plants must not be visible from public spaces off the property. Home cultivation of non-medical cannabis will be banned in dwellings used as day cares. In addition, landlords and strata councils will be able restrict or prohibit home cultivation.

Drug-impaired driving
Drug-impaired driving will continue to be illegal and B.C. will increase training for law enforcement in this area. B.C. will also toughen provincial regulations to give police more tools to remove drug-impaired drivers from the road and deter drug-affected driving, including: • B.C. will create a new 90-day administrative driving prohibition (ADP) for drug-affected driving; and • The current zero-tolerance restrictions for the presence of alcohol for drivers in the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) will be expanded to include zero tolerance for the presence of THC, the active ingredient in cannabis. “National legalization of non-medical cannabis represents an historic shift in public policy. This provincial regulatory framework provides a sound foundation to support the provincial goals that prioritize public health and safety,” Farnworth said. “That said, July 2018 is only the beginning of our journey, and these changes will not happen overnight. We fully anticipate all levels of government will need to continue to assess and refine cannabis policy and regulation Connect with the Province of B.C. at: news.gov.bc.ca/connect Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Media Relations 250 213-3602 Contact: in the months and years to come.” In December 2017, the Province announced that British Columbia’s minimum age to possess, purchase and consume non-medical cannabis will be 19 years old, and that the LDB will be the wholesale distributor of non-medical cannabis in B.C. Government plans to introduce legislation in the spring legislative session to affect these policy decisions. It will also launch a public education campaign to ensure broad public awareness of the provincial rules before they come into force. For more detailed information, please visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/public-safety/cannabis Learn More: The draft federal Cannabis Act (Bill C-45) can be found here: http://www.parl.ca/LegisInfo/BillDetails.aspx?billId=8886269 To learn more about B.C.’s cannabis public engagement, visit:
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https://www.castanet.net/news/BC/218135/Legal-pot-things-to-know
Here's a list of proposed regulations:

Pot will be sold in public and private stores, not where liquor or tobacco are sold.
Personal possession of non-medicinal marijuana for people who are at least 19 will be limited to 30 grams.
Marijuana smoking will be allowed in public places where tobacco smoking or vaping is permitted, but not in parks or beaches where children would go.
Adults will be permitted to grow up to four plants per household, but landlords are allowed to prohibit cultivation.
A 90-day driving ban will apply to anyone caught driving while drug-impaired, and the province will increase training for law enforcement officers to recognize impairment.
A registration process will be launched for people applying for a cannabis retail licence, but licences will not be issued without the support of local governments.
The changes are expected to be introduced in the spring legislative session.

Shoppers inks pot deal

The Canadian Press - Jan 19, 2018 / 6:51 am CASTANET
Licensed marijuana producer Tilray Canada Ltd. has signed a deal to become a medical cannabis supplier to Shoppers Drug Mart. Subject to Health Canada's approval of Shoppers Drug Mart's application to dispense medical marijuana, Tilray will supply the retailer with Tilray branded medical cannabis products. The B.C.-based company expects the products will be sold online because regulations restrict the sale of medical cannabis in retail pharmacies. Tilray says its products are sold in pharmacies in seven countries around the world. Shoppers Drug Mart's deal with Tilray follows similar agreements that the retailer signed last year with MedReleaf and Aphria. The pharmacy chain's parent company Loblaw Companies Ltd. applied for a license to dispense medical marijuana in October 2016.

Council Debates City Pot Ban

Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 Beach Radio Vernon Pete McIntyre January 08, 2018 07:26 pm
Vernon council has had another debate on the legalization of marijuana — this time about whether municipalities should have the right to ban the sale of the drug, if they want, once it becomes legal across Canada. Councillor Scott Anderson made a motion to ask the province for that type of community ban, even though he says, he’s not against pot dispensaries.“I think that municipalities should have that jurisdiction. We’re the ones most affected, we’re the ones who have to pay the price and reap the benefits. I think we should have that jurisdiction,” Anderson told Beach Radio News. Anderson says it’s a matter of principal. “I am not trying to close down marijuana dispensaries. What I want is for the city to retain the jurisdiction — the ability — in the future; that they should be the ones to say if marijuana is sold here or not.” Anderson’s motion failed to get enough support, falling in a 4-2 vote.
Councillor Dalvir Nahal supported Anderson’s motion to write the province on the issue. “I feel that municipalities should have that jurisdiction to close some down. As I’ve stated before, I’m not against them, but I feel like we have way too many in this small community, so it would have been nice to have that option,” says Nahal.

However, four other council members like Juliette Cunningham opposed the motion. Cunningham says a majority of Canadians support legalizing cannabis, and it doesn’t make sense to allow 4 members of council to decide if it’s allowed in the city or not. Councilor Bob Spiers says the city can control where the operations are located through zoning, and through business licenses. “We could say that we will not allow a marijuana retail operation using our zoning laws. Whether that would pass within the city, who knows? But we’ve got adequate control, as far as I’m concerned,” Spiers tells Beach Radio.

 Meantime, council has passed a motion, to seek 50% of the tax revenues from pot, that the BC government gets.
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Don Quixote Comment:
https://www.vernon.ca/sites/default/files/docs/meetings/agendas/140714.pdf

The amendment to zoning bylaw for the zoning restrictions for a Canadian Licensed Marijuana Production business was passed Aug. 11 2014.

True Leaf to build pot plant

By Jon Manchester - CASTANET Jan 2, 2018 / 6:46 am 

A Vernon-based medicinal marijuana company is doubling down on its Lumby operation by purchasing the 40-acre property. True Leaf Medicine International Ltd. has exercised an option to purchase land at a cost of $3.3 million. An up-front fee of $100,000 was paid to the vendor to secure the option. True Leaf now has 30 days to complete the purchase. The company launched a public offering qualified by the Securities and Exchange Commission on Nov. 30 to raise $10 million. It will use a portion of the funds to build phase one of a production facility. Ownership of the land will allow it to demolish an existing building and construct a 16,000-square-foot hydroponic grow building and 9,000-square-foot building housing offices, extraction facility, laboratory and packaging areas. Site and foundation work is expected to begin in coming weeks with completion by summer. True Leaf anticipates that the first phase of the build will include annual production of 2,500 kilograms of dried cannabis once the facility passes Health Canada’s inspection and the company becomes a licensed producer. The company's application to produce and distribute cannabis under Health Canada’s Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations has completed the security clearance stage. “In addition to purchasing the 40 acres of land to build our facility, the proceeds of the ... offering will also be used to acquire the best talent and technology available to help us fulfill our commitment to producing premium products," says CEO Darcy Bomford, The company has received the support of Lumby Mayor Kevin Acton and expects to become a significant employer in the community of 1,700.
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Also see:  http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/true-leaf-exercises-option-purchase-40-acre-site-lumby-bc-build-cannabis-production-cse-mj-2243979.htm

First Nations eye pot biz

The Canadian Press - Dec 28, 2017 / 6:34 am CASTANET
Canada's marijuana industry is expanding rapidly, and some First Nations are looking to cash in on the emerging economic opportunities – including in the North Okanagan. Phil Fontaine, an Indigenous politician turned marijuana executive, has spent the last year travelling the country and talking to First Nations about jobs, wealth and training opportunities the burgeoning marijuana business could bring. One such business is in Armstrong. "Everywhere we've been, it's been the same reaction, interest, excitement. First Nations are speaking about possibilities and potential. So it's been very encouraging," said the former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations. Marijuana businesses represent "tremendous potential" for First Nations, partially because communities are able to get in on the ground floor, instead of fighting to catch up years later as has traditionally been the case, Fontaine said. "This is a unique opportunity. This sector is different than any other the Indigenous community has experienced. Everyone is starting off at the same point," he said in a telephone interview. Fontaine is the CEO of Indigenous Roots, a medical marijuana company operated by and for First Nations across Canada. The company is a joint venture with Cronos Group, a medical-marijuana grower licensed by Health Canada. Once Indigenous Roots is operating, its profits will be split evenly between partner First Nations and Cronos. Though recreational marijuana is set to become legal this summer, Indigenous Roots will focus on supplying prescription pot to First Nations communities, which Fontaine said have traditionally had lower access to the drug. "We want to make sure that this particular service is made available to our communities in every part of the country," he said. Plans are in the works to build an Indigenous Roots growing facility next to an existing Cronos facility in Armstrong with the aim of serving patients by the end of 2018, Cronos CEO Mike Gorenstein said in an interview. Current Cronos workers will train First Nations employees to run the Indigenous Roots operation, he said. "Long term and medium term, this is meant to be an Indigenous-operated company," Gorenstein said. "Our commitment is to make sure that any knowledge that we have or we continue to gain, that we're sharing and we're always there to support.” The new facility will create between 30 and 50 jobs, plus other opportunities in marketing, sales and accounting, Gorenstein said. Future operations will likely be even bigger, he added.
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https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/medical-use-marijuana/licensed-producers/authorized-licensed-producers-medical-purposes.html

Feds agree to give provinces 75 per cent of pot tax revenues Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced the agreement today

THE CANADIAN PRESS Dec. 11, 2017 1:10 p.m.NEWS

The federal government has agreed to give the provinces and territories a 75 per cent share of the tax revenues from the sale of legalized marijuana, a portion of which will be meted out to cities and towns to help them defray the cost of making pot legal across Canada. Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced the two-year agreement today after a day-long meeting with his provincial and territorial counterparts. Morneau says Ottawa will retain the remaining 25 per cent share to a maximum of $100 million a year, with any balance over and above that limit going to the provinces and territories. The larger share, he added, will allow the provinces to “fairly deal with their costs and so they can work with municipalities,” which had been asking for at least a one-third portion of the revenue to help ease the burden of costs like law enforcement.

Morneau said that over the first two years, the federal government expects legalized pot to generate only about $400 million in tax revenues, adding that the ministers are scheduled to gather again a year from now to assess how the framework is working. “Our expectation is that by keeping prices low, we will be able to get rid of the black market. However, that will happen over time,” Morneau said during a closing news conference, his counterparts lined up behind him. “Our estimates suggest that the size of the taxation revenue is roughly … about up to $400 million for the first couple of years. What we’ve agreed at our table today is that we need to come back together; we’re going to come back together in December 2018 to look at how the market’s working, and how the federal government, provinces and municipalities are dealing with this change. “Of course, we’ll stay very much on top of this, but after two years it’s time to rethink the approach to make sure we’re getting it right.” All 14 jurisdictions at the table agreed to the key principles reached at the meeting, Morneau said, calling it a “very good outcome.”

The original model put forward by the federal government proposed an even 50-50 split, a plan that was immediately shot down by the provinces, many of which wondered aloud what sort of costs Ottawa would be incurring to deserve such a share. Earlier today, Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa said the federal Liberal government had successfully made the case that it, too, would have costs, but was showing flexibility on related revenue and cost-sharing questions. After a meeting with his Atlantic counterparts in Halifax, Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil let slip that a two-year deal had been reached, and that provinces would have the ability to include a markup above and beyond existing taxation levels. Ottawa’s initial estimates suggested the total pot of tax revenue from marijuana sales could eventually reach $1 billion per year. “If there is a markup that a respective province wants to do it would be outside of that taxation model, so that was the flexibility that we as a province were looking for and I would say indeed it was what we were hearing across the country,” McNeil said. “The two-year window will give each of us the time to go back to the table and say this is actually what policing is costing and this is what the education component is.”

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has said it wants a third of the revenues earmarked to help municipal governments handle administrative and policing costs, but how that share of the pot is divvied up will be up to the municipalities and their provincial or territorial counterparts. The federal government has already committed more than $1 billion over five years towards pot legalization in areas like policing and border security. When asked about the federal push to ensure enough money goes to cities and towns, Quebec Finance Minister Carlos Leitao said each province will do it their own way. “Of course, the provinces will work with their municipalities, but it’s for us to decide what that percentage will be,” he said. “And every province is different, every city is different, so there is no preconceived amount for the provinces.”
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Don Quixote Note:
It remains to see whether  GST (or PST or HST) is applied to the $10 per gram excise tax  ???  (another tax on a tax  !!)

Company looks to expand cannabis production facility True Leaf Medicine buys option to purchase the 40 acres of land in Lumby its facility sits on

Thu Sep 28th, 2017 7:30am Morning Star:

A North Okanagan cannabis production company is looking to the future. True Leaf Medicine International Ltd., whose website lists its corporate office as being on Kalamalka Lake Road in Vernon, announced Thursday it has acquired an option to purchase the 40 acres of land that encompasses its facility in Lumby. The option is exercisable until Dec. 31 at a total of cost of $3.3 million, $100,000 of which has already been paid to the vendor in the form of an up-front fee for the purpose of securing the option. True Leaf’s application to produce and distribute cannabis under Health Canada’s Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations (ACMPR) has completed the security clearance stage and the company has initiated plans to refit the 16,000 square foot building on the property. Upon exercise, True Leaf’s ownership of the property will allow the company to rapidly expand operations once it is approved as a licensed producer from Health Canada. “This is a milestone for True Leaf,” said CEO Darcy Bomford. “This property gives us the capacity to expand to meet the increased demand that is widely expected. With government approvals, the size of this site could allow us to build a 1,000,000 square foot facility and produce more than 125,000 kilograms of cannabis.”
True Leaf anticipates that the first phase will include annual production of 2,500 kilograms of dried cannabis once the facility passes Health Canada’s inspection and the company becomes a licensed producer.“True Leaf appreciates the support expressed for the company’s license submission by the Mayor of Lumby, Kevin Acton, and the community,” said Bomford. “We expect to become a significant employer in Lumby.”
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Authorized Licensed Producers of Cannabis for Medical Purposes

BC Government Launches Public Consultation On Marijuana Sales

Vernon, BC, Canada / 1075 KISS FM Tom Mark September 25, 2017 10:41 am
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth announced this morning that consultation will begin immediately with the plan to have it done by November 1st. “I hope British Columbians will get involved, be heard, and help us shape how we maximize public health and safety when non-medical cannabis is legalized by the federal government next year,” said Farnworth. “While we already have laws banning drug-affected driving, and they remain in effect, this is also an opportunity for people to let us know how we can make them stronger and more effective.” In addition to the open public engagement process, government will also proactively seek opinions from a representative cross-section of British Columbians on their views concerning non-medical cannabis regulations, with a random telephone survey.Today through Nov. 1, people can share their views about B.C.’s approach to non-medical cannabis legalization at: www.engage.gov.bc.ca/BCcannabisregulation/

Farnworth made the announcement at the Union of BC Municipalities Convention in Vancouver. He said it will include municipal governments, First Nations, the public and affected groups. As well, the Province has invited the Union of B.C. Municipalities to establish a standing committee on cannabis legalization so local governments can share their experience, knowledge and concerns as B.C.’s regulatory framework develops. Farnworth says there may not be a one size fits all approach for distribution. The minister says it will also be critical to work with the federal government to ensure a legal supply of marijuana is available. “We want to hear from as many people as possible about how we can best protect our kids, keep our roads safe, and lock criminals out of the non-medical cannabis industry,” said Farnworth. “It’s critical that we work together to ensure the legalization of non-medical cannabis results in safer, healthier communities.” He says this isn’t about bringing on a new revenue stream for the province. Farnworth says the government wants to ensure the implementation of marijuana sales is done right.
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Stakeholder Submissions

To help ensure that our provincial cannabis regulatory system reflects the needs and values of British Columbians, government is seeking feedback on the following issues:

• minimum age;
• personal possession limits;
• public consumption;
• drug-impaired driving;
• personal cultivation; and
• distribution and retail models.

Stakeholders have been invited to send a formal submission by November 1, 2017 at 4 p.m.

Any organization may submit a written submission. Individuals are encouraged to submit the feedback form online.

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Don Quixote Note:

I submitted the survey my only added comments were:

• What are the implications for Home Insurance if Cannabis is allowed to be grown in a house.
• All cannabis whether sold through Government stores or retail stores in B.C. must be obtained ONLY from the licensed and authorized producers that the federal Govt  has authorized.

Ontario to create cannabis control board, open up to 60 storefronts, sources say Illegal pot shops in Ontario to be shut down over next 12 months

By Hannah Thibedeau, Mike Crawley, CBC News Posted: Sep 07, 2017 10:28 PM ET
The Ontario government will announce Friday that it will create a cannabis control board and open up to 60 storefronts to manage the sale and distribution of marijuana in the province, CBC News has learned. The plans include restricting marijuana sales to those 19 and older, a year above the minimum age recommended by the federal government's cannabis task force report in December. The 30 to 60 stores selling marijuana to the public will not be housed inside existing LCBO stores as Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne had previously suggested. Illegal pot shops in Ontario would be shut down over the next 12 months. In April, legislation was introduced in the House of Commons to legalize and regulate the sale and distribution of marijuana on or before July 1, 2018. Many of the decisions about how the drug will be sold and taxed are being left to the provinces. At a premiers meeting in Edmonton in July, the premiers announced they would ask the federal government to postpone legalization if issues related to road safety, taxation, training for distributors and public education are not addressed. The premiers said they would report back on progress by Nov. 1 and would seek such an extension if the federal timetable was deemed "unrealistic." "The starting point is, have we met the public safety concerns, are we sure we have the provisions in place to protect youth, do we understand what the highway traffic implications are?" Wynne said at the time. "It's those issues that we have to resolve because we have to keep people safe." Shortly after the premiers' announcement, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government intends to stick to the July 2018 deadline.
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BILL C-45
An Act respecting cannabis and to amend the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Criminal Code and other Acts

Status of Bill

London Drugs 'ready' to dispense marijuana

by Katya Slepian - BC Local News British Columbia posted Dec 7, 2016 at 12:00 PM
A B.C.-based pharmacy chain is itching to be the first in Canada to sell medical marijuana. London Drugs vice-president John Tse says that the pharmacy has already begun training to pharmacists to dispense marijuana as soon as regulations are in place. The federal government is expected to introduce legislation on both medical and recreational marijuana in the spring but Tse – who notes that London Drugs is only interested in the medical side – foresees a longer wait time than that before it comes to pharmacy shelves. “After the legislation comes out there’s still the regulation…. and then there’s provincial governments and each of our colleges of pharmacists need to write regulations to operationalize it,” said Tse. “We’ll be as fast as the laws allow… but it could happen overnight, we’re that ready."London Drugs began training their pharmacists to dispense marijuana nine months ago, Tse said, but noted that how dispensing would work would depend on official word from Ottawa. Shoppers Drug Mart has already announced intentions to dispense medical marijuana. (More)

Weed on wheels busted

By The Canadian Press - CASTANET Nov 11, 2016 / 8:32 am

The public may be used to seeing ice cream carts or beer carts at events on hot summer days, but not carts selling illicit substances. Victoria Police say they arrested a man peddling a marijuana cart that was decorated with the name "420 Delivery" in large type on the sides. The number 420 is a widely used code term for marijuana use. Officers noticed the man peddling through the city's downtown core last week. Police say the 22-year-old man in charge of the vending cart was found in possession of 150 grams of marijuana. The man was released on a promise to appear in court next month. Police are recommending charges of one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

Get high off a safe supply

by David Wylie -CASTANET Sep 29, 2016 / 11:43 am
A former B.C. premier wants people to have a safe supply of weed. Mike Harcourt, who chairs True Leaf Medicine based in Lumby, is calling on the federal government to ensure a “safe and secure” supply of marijuana is available before the drug is legalized. A recent report showed that marijuana sold at some dispensaries contains restricted pesticides and herbicides, adding the current chaotic situation surrounding the use of marijuana can have dangerous consequences for consumers. “A safe and secure source of supply is right under their noses,” says Harcourt. There are 33 licensed producers that have been through a thorough process of obtaining a licence to produce and distribute medical marijuana – and another 416 (including True Leaf) that are working their way through. That process includes screening, security clearance, review, pre-licence inspection and, finally, licensing. Harcourt is calling on the government to speed up the vetting process of applicants in the queue in order to be ready for the increase in demand when marijuana is legalized for recreational purposes. “Many of those 400+ companies are ready, willing and able to provide a safe and secure supply for distribution now,” he said. He added that medical marijuana patients are already relying on dispensaries – even though they are considered illegal by the federal government – because it can be difficult and frustrating to get marijuana from legally licensed medicinal marijuana facilities. He predicted the supply problem will only get worse once it’s legalized.
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Authorized Licensed Producers for Medical Purposes

Okanagan dispensary owner accused of drug trafficking fights charge in court

September 13, 2016 - 6:30 PM By Charlotte Helston InfoNews.Ca
VERNON - The municipality told him to shut down, police raided his shop and charged him with drug trafficking, and now an Okanagan dispensary owner is challenging the constitutionality of what transpired. Ryan Pahl, co-owner of the Kaya Clinic in Kelowna, was charged with one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking after Mounties raided the dispensary in January, 2015. Today in Vernon Provincial Court, Pahl’s lawyer Kirk Tousaw said the court case won’t revolve around proof his client was selling marijuana, but around the constitutionality of the activity itself. “The prevailing system in place at the time of the arrest was… determined to be unconstitutional,” Tousaw said, citing a February 2016 court decision on access to medical marijuana, known as the Allard case. The Kaya Clinic’s trouble started when the City of Kelowna inspected the Lawrence Avenue store and discovered it was in fact a marijuana dispensary, not a retail store as the operators stated when getting a business license. Pahl was advised to shut down, and when he didn’t, the city notified police. A search warrant was executed by police Jan. 15, 2015, and officers seized edibles, oils, tinctures and over five kilograms of marijuana bud, Crown counsel Baljinder Girn said today. She argued the situation is completely different from the case, in which patients were fighting for the right to grow medical marijuana at home. “(Even) if he’s selling marijuana to persons authorized to possess marijuana for medical reasons, Mr. Pahl and his company were not authorized to do that,” Girn said. Although the federal government has announced it is moving towards the legalization of marijuana, the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act currently makes it illegal to possess or sell pot. Tousaw has asked that two weeks be set aside to argue the constitutionality of the case in advance of a trial being held, but first, Judge Richard Hewson has ordered something called a Vukelich hearing, which will be used to determine whether or not the accused has the right to a constitutional challenge in the first place. Lawyers will return to set a date for the Vukelich hearing on Sept. 27.

Langley fire blamed on cannabis oil extraction process

by Dan Ferguson - Langley Times posted Aug 17, 2016 at 12:00 PM
The fire that sent a Langley Township resident to hospital last week was caused by a butane gas explosion while cannabis oil was being extracted from marijuana, investigators believe. A 56-year-old man was transported to hospital by air ambulance after he suffered extensive burns in a noon-hour fire on Thursday, Aug. 11 in a house near 204 Street and 76 Avenue. The victim was conscious and able to walk to the stretcher before he was loaded onto the ambulance. He is expected to recover. The fire was small and damage was limited to a portion of the house interior and an exterior deck.
Multiple, police, fire and ambulance units attended.The area was closed to traffic for several hours.A Langley RCMP update said it appeared the fire was caused by an "extraction lab" that tried to produce concentrated cannabis using potentially explosive butane gas.The police investigation is continuing.

Butane hash oil (BHO), also known as honey oil, dabs or shatter is produced by using the gas as a solvent to extract THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) from marijuana.It is considered a highly dangerous method.

In the United Kingdom, a BBC investigation found two people have died and 27 people have been injured in extraction lab explosions since 2014. In Colorado there were more than 30 explosions linked to the process in 2014. This year, the New Mexico Environment Department released security camera footage (below) of a explosion at a licensed medical marijuana dispensary that left two workers with third-degree burns. The blast occurred in June of 2015 while the two employees were using butane to extract THC from marijuana to make cannabis oil. The video shows one employee kneeling on the ground with a torch, when a fiery explosion occurs, lighting their hair on fire. The workers survived.
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Man suffers serious burns in marijuana dispensary explosion
  BY DANIEL MCKENZIE, TORONTO SUN FIRST POSTED: SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 2016 11:42 AM EDT | UPDATED: SATURDAY, AUGUST 20, 2016 05:14 PM EDT

City wants share of pot tax

by Wayne Moore - CASTANET Aug 20, 2016 / 5:00 am
The City of Kelowna should receive a portion of tax revenues derived from legal marijuana sales.That's just one of several recommendations city staff have provided in response to questions asked by the federal government in advance of legislation which will legalize marijuana in Canada. Local and provincial governments across the country have been asked to provide feedback to advise the government on the design of new legislation and the regulatory framework that will include a new system of strict marijuana sales and distribution.City planner Ryan Smith said staff reviewed the government's discussion paper and provided responses to several questions.

Responses included:
Federal or provincial marijuana taxation régimes should include a percentage set aside for local government without risking the continued existence of a black market
Minimum age should be same or higher as minimum age for consuming alcohol
Minimum age should be consistent in all Provinces and Territories.
Federal regulation of edible products is encouraged
Municipalities should be able to regulate by permit home growing
Restrict consumption in publicly-accessible spaces outside the home
Enable municipalities to decide if they will permit stores/dispensaries or not
Ensure RCMP/local police have enforcement capabilities to protect against impaired driving

The federal government expects to introduce legislation on the legalization of marijuana in the spring of next year.
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http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/marijuana/faq.html

http://healthycanadians.gc.ca/health-system-systeme-sante/consultations/legalization-marijuana-legalisation/alt/legalization-marijuana-legalisation-eng.pdf

Medical marijuana patients can grow 'limited amount' of cannabis at home under new laws Change comes after Federal Court said old rules were unconstitutional

By Andrew Foote, CBC News Posted: Aug 11, 2016 2:07 PM ET
Canadian medical marijuana patients can grow their own cannabis under new regulations that come into effect later this month, Health Canada announced Thursday. Ban on medical marijuana patients growing own pot struck down by Federal Court. Philpott won't appeal Allard ruling on right to grow medical marijuana. Patients approved for medical marijuana can register with Health Canada to grow a "limited" amount of cannabis for their own medical purposes. They can also designate someone else to grow it for them if they're not healthy enough to grow their own or get it from one of 34 Health Canada-approved producers. Health Canada officials said in a technical briefing Thursday afternoon this "limited amount" will be linked to the daily amount of cannabis a patient is prescribed. For example, someone prescribed a gram a day could grow two plants outdoors or five plants indoors to be able to supply themselves, Health Canada said, since plants grown outdoors yield more supply than indoor plants.

The new rules come into effect on Aug. 24. New rules meet court deadline A Federal Court judge earlier this year struck down the former Conservative government's 2013 law requiring medical marijuana patients to get their cannabis from licensed producers instead of growing their own. Judge Michael Phelan said in his Feb. 24 decision those rules that "limited a patient to a single government-approved contractor and eliminated the ability to grow one's own marijuana or choose one's own supplier" restricted patient liberties under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. He gave the federal government six months to come up with new rules. Phelan also ruled that around 28,000 patients who had been allowed to keep growing their own medical marijuana under a 2014 injunction could continue until these new rules are in place. Health Canada said Thursday the injunction won't be lifted until it is confident it can handle these thousands of patients coming into the new regulatory system. The ruling came after a court challenge from four B.C. residents who argued the law was unconstitutional and took away affordable access to medicine.
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Health Canada: 4 LINKS BELOW
Statement from Health Canada concerning access to cannabis for medical purposes
Understanding the New Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations
Fact Sheet: Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations
FAQ:
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http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/feds-announce-new-rules-for-medical-marijuana-users-1.3025008
Under the new Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations, which come into force on August 24, people who have authorization from a health care practitioner can access medical cannabis:

• From licensed mail-order producers, of which there are currently 34
• By applying to Health Canada to produce a limited personal amount
• Or by designating someone else to produce it.
• Those producing for themselves will not be allowed to produce for more than one other person.

Allowing users to grow their own was required after a Federal Court judge ruled, in February, that the Conservative government’s 2013 regulations requiring medical marijuana to come from licenced producers violated patients’ Charter rights. Health Canada was given six months to come up with new rules after the Allard v. Canada decision.