Marijuana is not new to anyone here in Cornwall or for that matter just about anywhere else.
We live in times where bizarre laws are changing and the public is pushing hard for that change.
In Colorado and Washington State Marijuana is now bringing in hard cash into the public purse via taxes rather than bleeding it dry in legal, court, and policing fees.
Here in Canada we have a trade war with US and other producers. For example Marc Emery, the Prince of Pot was sent to spend 
five years in prison in the US for crimes that he wasn’t charged with in Canada. He runs Cannabis Culture with his wife Jodie. It’s a company that provided employment and paid taxes. Because of what many consider entrapment Mr. Emery has sat for nearly his full term over the sale of seeds to Americans.
Utter insanity.
In nearby Smiths Falls the former Hershey Chocolate factory has become a facility for Medical Marijuana. Why not have a facility in Cornwall? With our high police budget does it make sense for officers to be charging people with a single joint or small amount of weed in Cornwall?
With many polls indicating that Justin Trudeau may be our next PM, and who has admitted to hitting a fatty, and Toronto Mayor Rob Ford who while more famous for Crack, has also enjoyed the magical herb; I think we need to review the situation and perhaps ask our police force to lay down when it comes to charging casual users or simply ticket them where legally applicable; even if it means creating a by-law.
We need to focus our critical policing dollars on real crime.
We talk about youth retention and we talk about attracting more young people. These are factors in doing this. Marijuana is not so much a criminal or law enforcement issue; it’s an economic one.
I’m hoping that this will be one of the issues that we talk about during this election and I’m hoping that when elected mayor that we can make it a ballot question for 2018 or sooner.
I don’t know if anything can be done. The laws have to be changed at the federal and provincial levels first before anything can be done locally.
Hugger there is precedent to issue change. Many cities in North America have taken that path.
Jamie I don’t agree with taking marijuana or any other drug at all. Drugs just like alcohol would be a terrible problem on the people and it would impoverish the people in Cornwall instead of putting food on the table they would go and smoke weed and neglect their children. The little people are not like Justin Trudeau with a silver or gold spoon in his mouth and all the perks but are just struggling to survive. There is an actor in the US always in jail by the name of Chi Chi Chung or something like that because of his drug habbit. This is a problem among a lot of celebrities. The little people would go broke. One drug would lead to another when they wouldn’t get the same buzz out of it anymore. LSD and other drugs are already prevalent in Cornwall and Cornwall has a mighty big problem with drugs, illegal smokes as well as illegal booze.
The laws have just changed, and Health Canada projects the numbers of medical marijuana users will go from 40 thousand to 450 thousand within 10 yrs.
But will doctors prescribe without evidence and dosage ranging studies? These are some of the very interesting issues discussed in the CBC blog written by Dr. Brian Goldman: http://www.cbc.ca/whitecoat/blog/2014/04/07/when-medicine-meets-politics/
Picture this of someone who has smoked a joint and goes behind the wheel of a car and kills someone. What kind of laws are these? The way people drive these days you wonder if they are smoking something or other. Here in Ottawa they cut you off and wind in and out of the lanes and they don’t look around to see if someone is behind them or wherever. The people cannot even walk without running into someone or with their shopping carts I the stores. I understand fully well of medical marijuana to help very sick people help take certain meds but this can get out of hand. Look at Mexico and other Latin American countries where drugs are out of hand. People are crazy enough without this garbage. If we feel we have a problem now with the drugs I hate to see what will happen next.
Are you serious Jamie? The asinine laws re the beloved weed are made in Ottawa. Every police officer in Canada is sworn to enforce the law.
Furtz read up on what some other cities have done. As we’ve seen here in Cornwall law enforcement can be fluid….
Are you saying that the cops can pick and choose which laws they enforce? They have a bit of discretion, but not much.
You are way out there on this one.
Furtz the Syd Gardiner situation. The signs that night. The Bowering assault. There are more and of course historically many other cases over the years. It’s not unique to Cornwall. There always is a latitude; but there should be a balance. We supposedly not live in the Old South…
A city bylaw legalizing simple possession of pot, may send a token message to higher levels of government but that is all it will do.
The governments see this as a chance to tax something else and increase their revenues, thus we get the legalized and licensed grow ops that will be starting or have recently started.The result will be no different then the illegal trade in contraband cigarettes or the black market trade in “legal” medications such as oxycontin. In other words, the government will not put down this potential cash cow of regulating medical pot. If pot were to be legalized across the board then the governments would be undermining their own revenue streams. As for oxycontin, it’s legal when prescribed but there is still a huge black market for it. The illegal grow ops will continue despite these licensed grow ops. In reality, the regulation of medical pot and the legalization of pot possession are completely unrelated issues(as noted by my oxycontin example). This has been proven over and over by the increasing taxation of the carcinogenic and COPD inducing,legal cigarettes. Cigarettes are simply too big of a cash cow to ban, even though they are killing people. Regulating “medical” pot will also be a huge cash cow even though it will do nothing to eliminate the involvement of organized crime.
If the provincial and Federal levels of government were really concerned about taxpayers interests and welfare and freeing up police resources for more important things and undercutting organized crime, they would start by not taxing cigarettes and would then save mega bucks on policing contraband smokes. But that creates an even bigger problem because the decreased taxes now result in increased smokers and increased healthcare costs when many of them become sick, down the road. The best alternative would be to ban cigarettes altogether, thus decreasing health care costs related to smoking illness. The loss of tax revenue would be mitigated by the huge savings created when policing needs for smuggling are no longer needed. Sure there would be some smuggling but when you consider that no one would be able to smoke in public, anywhere, for fear of being charged with a federal offence, due to all cigarettes being banned, the number of smokers will be few and far between.
As long as the governments see an opportunity to tax and regulate, they will have no interest in legalizing possession of pot other than that which is prescribed and so in the end organized crime will still get there slice of the pie.
Jamie,
Regarding fluidity of laws…You are absolutely right. I lived in North Vancouver some years ago. Marc Emery was frequently in the news at that time. In any case, It was not uncommon to hear incidents about police officers, who after pulling over a driver or stopping someone on the street, would confiscate what was apparently small amounts of pot “for personal” use and not charge the individual.
Trevor we all want to live together peacefully. People make mistakes. Shit happens 🙂 The point is that when someone really crosses the line and you give them a free pass because of who they are while smacking others for the same thing you really undermine the balance.
Excuse me
A few points
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Thanks
Admin writes -“Marijuana is not so much a criminal or law enforcement issue; it’s an economic one”. Any substance that will be abused by the masses will certainly be abused – i.e. alcohol, prescription drugs, etc. So why add another one to the list?
I am not so much against legitimate medical use of marijuana, but I do stand totally against complete legalization of pot for leisure/recreational uses. We do not need another governmental controlled legalized vice allowed in our already overdosed, drugged out society.
So what is the issue? Are they what admin. wrote? – “…criminal or law enforcement issue; it’s an economic one”. To consider it only, or as the primarily issue an “economic issue” is typical of a lost, worldly mindset. The Word of God clearly states – “the love of money is the root of all evil” (1 Tim.6:10). For the economics to work [when has it ever worked?] such will have to end up like the LCBO? Or even socialized medicine! More governmental regulations, oversight, and taxes! It would be very naive to think that it would not turn out just as I have written. There is a price for freedom.
The real issue – a moral issue! Freedom is not measured by the elimination of restraints, restrictions,and regulations. Freedom for one is bondage for another. In this great Plato utopian society that we are desiring and trying to build, the mantra “freedom at any cost” is what in fact will be the destruction and demise of society as we know it. It is true that we are programmed to repeat history and its failures, because we fail to look and learn from the past. As sinful and fallen creatures, sin masquerades as “freedom” and virtue is hated like the plague. It is a heart issue! A heart that only God can change.
But as the end of the age draws near, some have learned from the past failures of societies gone by. Who are they? What are they up to? Here is their plan – allow society, the masses to “enjoy” the good life –“eat, drink and be merry…”, and while this is going on, these ones, which I will call antichrists, are about setting up a society of complete government control. Once freedom becomes anarchy, marshal law takes over. No turning back! This plan is not some “1984” scenario, but actually Biblical prophecy unfolding even as I write – “For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled” (Rev 17:17).
True Antichrist freedom is coming. It is called the “Mark of the Beast”, 666, etc. And yes, admin., It will an economic freedom for sure – Rev. 13:16-17 “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name”.
Freedom, it is all how you define it. Right? “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). But it is really how God defines freedom – “And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name” (Rev 14:11). On the door of Hell, be sure their will be as sign which will read – “no smoking allowed, no pot, no drugs, no alcohol allowed” by order of the Fire Marshal – the Lord God almighty.
Pastor Newton you hit the nail on the head and people who do not know history are deemed to repeat it. During the days of Noah people were celebrating and sinning just like they do today and what did God do He brought on the Great Flood. This time God is going to bring on the fire and not just in a story time fire but real burning fire where he will destroy humanity and everything on the earth and this is coming. I don’t kid anybody about any of this and it has been prophecized in the Fatima appearance of the Blessed Virgin Mary who appeared to the three children in Portugal in 1917. Even if you are not Catholic or a non believer I can tell you that this is true as well as the warnings of Masonry and about Russia brining horrors to the world and take a look at what we are seeing so far and still we haven’t seen anything yet. She even told about WWIII coming which will kill at least 1/3 of the world’s population or more and it would take 7 months to bury the dead. WWIII will be thermo nuclear war. People better get back to Pastor Newton’s church even if he preaches hell and brimstone because it is what is needed for people to awaken from their deep slumber. Yes money is the root of all evil. The Mark of the Beast is coming and this is all true indeed and it is in the Bible and will be here very soon.
That’s too funny! ROLF, ROLF, LOL etc. So if I spark up a bat to enjoy with my Friday evening bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, some imaginary clown from two thousand years ago is gonna incinerate the planet, or at least set my hair on fire? Guess I better not do that again. I’ve been warned!
Furtz you are too funny and so much so that I am laughing my head off and can hardly type a word without making tons of mistakes. I am red in the face like a beat or like I have been drinking with all your jokes. LOL LOL. ROLF! I know that you don’t believe a word but it is all true. Watch your hair singe and the rest of you as well. LOL LOL. We may have a barbecued Furtz on our hands. I am laughing so much that it is uncontrollable. I would say to Jamie keep the paper because this is the best place for all of us to go for some laughs especially Furtz and I. I am laughing and can’t control myself with Furtz jokes. All I need is the devil’s long fork after you Furtz. LOL LOL.
@ Jules. I will admit that Mr. Newton comes up with some pretty funny stuff at times. I do keep a freshly charged CSA certified fire extinguisher on hand at all times. You never know when an impure thought, or pleasure of some sort, will unleash Gawd’s fury.
Again, I wish to remind everyone to try and stay focused on issues and not target each other.
I am crazy enough without any drugs. If I took anything I would be flying higher than a kite. Nobody would be able to shut me up at all no matter what. It is bad enough as is without making matters worse. Getting more serious here drugs are mighty dangerous for the health and yes even marijuana is dangerous and don’t think that it can’t be because it sure can. It is an dangerous as alcohol and tobacco. Many people will say otherwise but no this is the truth. It also leads to harder drugs and everyone starts with marijuana or hash and then into alcohol and onto the hard stuff. This doesn’t happen to everyone but to a lot of people. Even getting behind the wheel after a joint is like alcohol and worse. We know someone here in Ottawa who was a friend of my husband’s who did just that and was driving a taxi of all things and we often wonder who we are dealing with. “NO TANKS” I am crazy enough without it and always sober.
On April 20th Canada will see the biggest crime spree of smoking marijuana ever along with every major city in the world including some small ones and there isn’t one dang thing you can do about it except spit and lie. When it’s legal there will be no short term memory loss as to the cruelty injured and those who advised it.
http://www.bramptonguardian.com/news-story/4453984-charges-dropped-against-good-samaritan-who-aided-shot-cop/
I repeat
Shavluk says:
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
April 12, 2014 at 2:21 am
Excuse me
A few points
re emery…..he is in jail because he {MODERATED}
as some one who has spent over 20 years making the real differences in canada and {MODERATED}
…with harpers now hiding behind the cops he had say they only want tickets that makes 4 FOUR national mainstream political partys I alone have brought forth changes to cannabis policies ….even legal cannabis in two but also obtained and presented in the ndp who are real cowards …so I dare say I know
emery was and is a schmuck and scum to me and its only a google away as to why (pottalk.ning.com)
and @ jules …wow…your brontosaurus is double parked and I cant bother responding what with you writing that what science and studies say long said is lies as you spew some imaginary BS to hide your to me anyway racist hooded sheet
it saddens me that so many are like you and completely in the dark about the facts yet with a mouth full of spewed hate and rhetoric yes its amazing
probably one of those on the tit…(trading in tyranny )
cops penitentiary workers lawyers ..especially lawyers all talk just as stupid
cheers all
And my name is john shavluk
I have also written you as per your comments
We shall see if what you say is true and again post his on our pages
Anarchy and revenge is the pot smokers way according to Spanner! Such a loving,law abiding citizen. Someone you would want for a neighbor? Exo 23:2 “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to turn aside after a multitude to wrest justice”.
“It’s hard to live in a land where everything you own is stolen and everything you say a lie.” James Kunen
Anarchy? Seriously? I can’t imagine a bunch of people with the munchies causing the complete destruction of society.
Why we should keep pot illegal: “Casual marijuana use linked with brain abnormalities, study finds”.
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/04/15/casual-marijuana-use-linked-with-brain-abnormalities-study-finds/
Can’t argue with facts, right?
A lot of opponents of cannabis legalization are what is known as “moral entrepreneurs”. Often, as seems to be the case with contributor Pastor Newton, they view a certain activity as immoral because of their firmly-held religious beliefs. They feel that they have a monopoly on the truth and that they may impose their religious convictions upon everyone. Cannabis is but one of many issues where freedom of choice and religion are in conflict.
These religious types may hold any irrational thought they wish (Adam and Eve, Noah’s Ark, etc.) but they should not have the right to criminalize those who view cannabis more favourably. Legalize it and tax it!
I guess JD you like to be ill informed. Did the important study that just came out [see link above] talked about the moral issue or a scientific/medical issue as to the hazards of smoking pot?
Fox News? Seriously? LOL ROLF LOL etc….
Furtz- Fox News did do the study, did they? I guess to you Fox news paid these ones to come up with this false study. Very unscientific, illogical, and unreasonable conclusion for a man of your times?
“A new study conducted by researchers at Northwestern and Harvard suggests even casual marijuana use can alter your brain. Dr. Breiter, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. What do these ones know, right Furtz.
and PS quit barking at the blood moon -“LOL ROLF LOL etc….”.
To Pastor Tom Newton,
First: Fox News is known to be biased and is the subject of ridicule. It is not recognized as a reputable news source.
Second: holding a doctorate from a recognized university does not automatically make you right.
Third: for every study you can find that states that cannabis is harmful, I am certain that I can find many more that say it is not.
Fourth: even if it is harmful, like alcohol and tobacco most certainly are, that doesn’t mean that it should be illegal. Each individual has the right to manage his/her own behaviour as long as it does not directly endanger someone else.
Fifth: if you feel that cannabis should be illegal and that users should be punished, then you should feel exactly the same way about alcohol and tobacco users.
So here’s my question to you: should alcohol and tobacco also be made illegal and their users be punished?
Now, fundamentalist Christians brought about alcohol prohibition a few decades ago and it was a complete disaster just like cannabis prohibition is now. If your position is to be considered logical, you must be willing to make alcohol and tobacco illegal also. Please respond and tell us what your position would be on making the two deadliest drugs, alcohol and tobacco, illegal. Thank you.
A response to JD:
Alcohol and tobacco are just two drugs among many that fallen, alienated from God sinners are in slaved to as the result of the “cravings” of their fallen sinful nature called in the Scriptures – the flesh, the old man, the natural man. Alcohol and tobacco are used as props to maintain one’s existence in a world effected by one’s own sinful life choices – the misery we love and what God will punish us for, as rebellion to His revealed will as set forth in the Holy Scriptures -“…for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of man”.
Solution? Legalize prohibition? Legalizing morality will never change the wicked “old man’s heart”. Moral restraints are a necessary evil to maintain civil order, but the real solution begins on a personal level, as one is set free by the grace of God in a personal relationship with the Risen Lord Jesus Christ.
Since being a Christian, I have been set free from a multitude of accepted societal vices. I do not need to live in a drug induced reality in order to cope, to have fun, and even to find meaning in life. I don’t drink alcohol, nor do I do drugs. Such heart probation doesn’t earn me heaven, but simply demonstrates that I am already experiencing a heavenly reality now. What will heaven be like – Rev 22:14-15 “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. For without are dogs(prostitutes), and sorcerers(drug users), and whoremongers(homosexuals and adulterers), and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie”.
whoremongers=homosexuals? Cool!
To Pastor Tom Newton and all others:
Thank you for responding Pastor! I researched you today on the internet and found out a lot about you. I know that you really believe what you espouse and that you truly believe that the Bible is the literal word of God. I also know that many in your community object to your views on: abortion, euthanasia, women’s rights, gay rights, cannabis, witchcraft and even rock music.
Sir, you may not be stupid but you have definitely been brainwashed with an ugly form of Christianity. Christ’s main message was to love one another and to leave judgement to God. Since you do neither, you cannot really call yourself a true Christian. I encourage you to be more loving and to leave judgement to God.
To all others, I hope we can all clearly see that many who oppose cannabis legalization do so because they truly believe that a medicinal plant is Satanic. Their opposition is not based on logic or science but on their very strange beliefs. We are finally stepping into a modern age where these so-called “Christian” moral entrepreneurs can no longer harass us. It is essential for all of us to recognize that these “Christians” are at war with freedom of choice. They are directly responsible for bringing about cannabis prohibition in 1923, and they are directly responsible for the continuing witch hunts against cannabis users and many others. Now that Pastor Tom Newton has shown his hand, we all can see that “the emperor wears no clothes”. No need to be unkind to him, just tune him out, and politely show others that all witch hunts are completely ridiculous. Thanks for helping me to prove my point Pastor!
Interesting JD, you are going to instruct me on how to be a Christian. If it wasn’t so important, it would be funny. John 8:24 “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins”. Messiah Jesus is speaking here.
Watters World on Denver pot rally 0420/2014. Behold our next generation to run the world:
http://video.foxnews.com/v/3493132932001/watters-world-the-denver-pot-edition/#sp=show-clips
When it rains it pours – Marijuana use may lead to heart complications even death?
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/04/23/marijuana-use-may-lead-to-heart-complications-death-study-says/?intcmp=obnetwork
Pastor, you would think you would have better things to comment about than the already clinically proven cure that is this plant. Like say the CIRCLE OF NINE? The collective of priests and royalty who brutalize and massacre children of all ages in blood letting practices where even after they murder the children they chose to have intercourse with their bodies. Look it up people and get your heads out of your asses. The World leaders and local leaders are all in this together and it is astounding that they are allowed to continue. Forget Project Truth, in comparison to the Circle of Nine, Project Truth is not even PG rated. When will you people discuss the root of all problems in the community? When will the corruption end?
Jules and Pastor Tom Newton,
I think people would benefit more from intelligent education when it comes to cannabis. To blindly spew nonsense about cannabis is just irresponsible on your part and you should educate yourself with some real information about this plant. Here are some points to consider before you break out your 1930’s reference book about the evils of weed and start typing out nonsense for people to read.
#1 – Cannabis is addictive – false
#2 – Cannabis leads to harder drugs – false
#3 – Cannabis kills brain cells – false
#4 – Consuming too much Cannabis can be fatal or possible overdose – false
#5 – Cannabis causes violent/psychotic or aggressive behaviour – false
#6 – Everything CNN,FOX,MSNBC,etc,etc says about the evils of cannabis is true – ( Give your head a shake)
#7 – Man made pharmaceuticals are much safer than cannabis – false
#8 – Cannabis causes aggressive driving – false
#9 – Cannabis has no medical benefits – false
#10 – God made this plant for a reason – Well if you believe in God then it is hard to imagine he would create a plant that humans are the only species which have the receptors in the brain to utilize the cannabinoids this plant produces.
Time to wake up people and educate yourself rather than blindly following the nonsense the anti-cannabis lobbyists are feeding you.
Legalize Cannabis so that the black market and crime associated with it can be put to an end.
@ Herewego. Cannabis is the root cause of every problem know to humanity, and is the reason that all human beings are sinners in need of saving. Let me explain. Back about five thousand years ago, just days after the universe was created, the devil smoked a fatty and was temporarily transformed into a talking snake. That talking snake then whispered something naughty into Eve’s ear, and everything went downhill from there.
How could you want to legalize the very substance that’s responsible for all the sin and misery endured by humanity since the beginning of time?
Furtz,
I’m sure that is exactly how it went down. LMAO. I think that particular apple may have been a GMO Apple.
@ Herewego. I’m not absolutely sure if that’s the way it all happened, but I think it’s pretty close. I don’t think the apple was GMO. From what I hear, the snake was a pretty smooth talker, but he didn’t work for Monsanto. Monsanto wasn’t established until 1901, at least four thousand years after the universe was created. Maybe someone will chime in, and sort this mystery out.