Monthly Archives: March 2017

Misc Other

Kingston Police Execute Warrant on Pot Dispensary, Six Arrested

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On March 9, 2017 members of the Kingston Police Street Crime unit concluded an investigation of a business called Cana Green, located at 342 Princess Street. The business was found to have cannabis related products on-site which they were offering for sale in contravention of the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act. 

Kingston Police obtained a search warrant and at approximately 9:30 p.m. officers from the Street Crime unit assisted by Patrol, executed the warrant. Upon entry officers found 6 persons believed to be employees of the business along with 3 citizens in the store. The 6 individuals deemed to be staff were all arrested and transported to police headquarters. 

Police seized a variety of Cannabis related products including marijuana, black hash, and Shatter, along with a various drug paraphernalia and close to $3500 in Canadian Currency. The value of the marijuana alone is estimated to be approximately $4300. The value of the other illegal drugs is still to be determined. 

The individuals arrested and charged include three Kingston men ages 29, 25 and 25, one Kingston woman age 30, and two Ottawa women ages 22 and 24. 

All six were jointly charged with possession of a controlled substance for trafficking, possession of property obtained by crime. One 25-year-old Kingston man was additionally charged with two counts of breach undertaking. 

Four individuals were released on promise to appear while two were held for bail. 

At a Press Conference today, Chief Larochelle thanked the members of our Street Crime Unit for their hard work and once again stated: “Medical marijuana can only be obtained through registered post after being prescribed by a Doctor. Marijuana dispensaries are illegal and Kingston Police will investigate and act appropriately on any establishments in possession of marijuana.” 

Original article can be found here

Misc Other

Law legalizing marijuana to be introduced this spring, Blair says during Durham visit

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Bill Blair Marijuana Discussions | Jason Liebregts / Metroland

DURHAM — Legislation to legalize marijuana will be introduced in the House of Commons this spring, the government’s point man on the file confirmed during a visit to Durham Region Friday. 

“We’re going to keep our promise,” Bill Blair, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Justice, said. “But we’re committed to taking the time to do it right.” 

Blair met March 10 at Durham Region headquarters with local politicians, first responders, public health workers and others as part of a consultative process that’s taken him across the country. The roundtable format allowed local representatives to hear about the government’s progress with legalization, and also to voice their concerns, he said.

“I think their perspective is a really important one and a really valuable one in making sure the regulations and the controls that we put in place are workable at the local level,” said Blair. “All three levels of government have a responsibility here, and working together collaboratively is the way to get this thing done.” 

Central to the government’s rationale for legalization is regulation of a substance that is widely used by Canadians, to encourage “healthful and responsible” use and to wrest control of distribution from criminals, Blair said. The former Toronto police chief said he’s particularly concerned about young people accessing pot, something the current regime of prohibition is failing to prevent. 

“The current system is not particularly effective in keeping this drug away from our kids. And it has in many respects created opportunities for the criminal element to profit enormously,” said Blair. “By taking away the profit from organized crime we believe we can make communities safer. Through control of production and distribution, we can do a better job of restricting youth access.” 

Blair noted that until legislation is passed, police will continue to target storefront dispensaries. Durham police raided shops in Oshawa and Whitby last summer, laying charges of possession for the purpose of trafficking. 

And even after legalization occurs, distribution will be tightly restricted, he said. 

“The law is crystal clear on this. We’re not talking about legalizing the activity that’s taking place in those dispensaries. We’re talking about it being distributed through a licensed, regulated regime, not by criminal profiteers,” he said. “What they’re doing isn’t going to be legalized.” 

In attendance Friday was Marko Ivancicevic, an Oshawa-based marijuana advocate who provides consulting services for medical cannabis users. He said that while Blair’s efforts to consult with Canadians are laudable, he’s concerned they may not be gathering input from everyone with a stake in the issue. 

“They need to get the perspective of everybody that’s going to be affected,” he said. “I think there needs to be a more fulsome discussion with medical marijuana patients and people who have been part of the industry.” 

Ivancicevic said that with legalization pending, police should implement alternatives to charging people with simple possession. 

“Resources and finances are wasted on simple possession,” he said. “I think that has to stop.” 

Original article can be found here

Misc Other

Canna-Green dispensary in Kingston raided overnight

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Little information has been released about a reported raid that happened here at the Canna-Green Store on Princess Street. As you can see behind me all signage has been removed and the store is pretty much cleaned out

According to witnesses – several Kingston Police Units including the K-9 Unit raided the store around 10 last night.It’s believed there were at least 6 people inside the store when officers entered.

Sources tell CKWS – 4 of the employees are from Ottawa and others Kingston.

They also say 3 to 5 pounds of marijuana was confiscated along with scales and other drug paraphernalia.

Earlier this week CKWS featured Canna-Green in a story about its opening on Monday.

Staff told us they specialize in selling medical marijuana in various forms to people 19 years of age and older.

Kingston police was asked to comment on the store and they told CKWS there’s a difference between dispensaries and cannabis specialized clinics and that they take the matter very seriously, adding marijuana dispensaries are illegal.”

Original article can be found here

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Cannabis Culture Dispensaries Owned By Emerys Tied To Organized Crime: Police

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TORONTO — Police in Toronto are accusing Cannabis Culture marijuana dispensaries of being part of a “large franchise operation of alleged high-level drug traffickers.”

Prominent marijuana activists Marc and Jodie Emery — who own the Cannabis Culture brand — were granted bail Friday after their arrest on Wednesday. Marc Emery faces 15 charges, including conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, trafficking and possession of proceeds of crime, while Jodie Emery faces five similar counts.

Officers seized $250,000 in cash in several currencies, 65 kilograms of marijuana and 2.4 kilograms of cannabis extract and other drug paraphernalia after searching seven Cannabis Culture stores and several homes on Thursday, police said.

A man smokes a joint as police officers stand outside the Cannabis Culture shop during a police raid, in Vancouver on Thursday. (Photo: Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press) 

Given the amount of marijuana the stores “can only be supplied by illegitimate sources often tied to organized crime,” acting Insp. Steve Watts alleged.

“The public should know that this isn’t an altruistic venture, this is purely a profit-motivated venture,” Watts said. “Anyone with a prescription for marijuana can go through Health Canada, who have an abundant supply.”

Toronto police spokesman Mark Pugash said seven Cannabis Culture locations — five in Toronto, one in Hamilton and another in Vancouver — were searched on Thursday along with two homes in Toronto, one in Stoney Creek, Ont., and one in Vancouver.

The Emerys appeared in a Toronto courtroom on Friday afternoon where they were granted bail with several conditions, including a ban on possessing or consuming marijuana and other drugs except with a prescription.

Marc Emery was previously arrested at one of his new Montreal dispensaries in December and charged with drug trafficking. (Photo: Toronto Star via Getty Images) 

They were also barred from going to any Cannabis Culture location or other dispensary, as well as facilitating or participating in running any Cannabis Culture shop. The Cannabis Culture brand is used by a chain of 19 marijuana dispensaries in British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec.

The Emerys called on the federal Liberals to stop enforcing the current laws and immediately act on their promise to legalize marijuana. Marc Emery said the high profile role he and his wife have taken in fighting for legalization for more than 20 years is the reason police are targeting them.

“The government fears us,” Emery told reporters minutes after emerging from a Toronto courthouse late Friday. “Our example has been the shining example for 25 years, we have been at the forefront of making this legalization happen.”

“I think this is all part of the struggle and we’ll bear through it well,” Emery added, his wife’s head on his shoulder at times as the couple angrily denounced the governing Liberals.

A Vancouver-based lawyer for the Emerys said in a statement that “several cannabis activists’’ have been arrested in addition to his clients. (Photo: CP) 

In addition to the Emerys, police charged three other people on Thursday. Thirty-seven-year-old Chris Goodwin and 31-year-old Erin Goodwin, both of Toronto, and 29-year-old Britney Guerra of Stoney Creek face charges that include conspiracy to commit an indictable offence.

The federal government is moving to legalize marijuana, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau emphasized late last year that the current laws exist.

“Our history of enforcing the law against illegal cannabis dispensaries is well established,” Pugash said Thursday. “This is the latest effort in our law enforcement, and I’m certain there will be further action.”

Toronto police also cited safety as a reason for the raids on the dispensaries.

“Our history of enforcing the law against illegal cannabis dispensaries is well established.”

“Included in the sale of marijuana, was shatter, which our officers purchased. Shatter is a distilled marijuana resin that is far more potent,” Watts said.

“It is also dangerous to produce,” he said noting an explosion at a dispensary in August 2016 that blew out windows and left a man injured.

The number of reported robberies of dispensaries in the city is also a community safety concern, he said.

This year alone, there have been seven reported robberies — five involving firearms, Watts said.

“There were three instances where firearms were discharged and, on one occasion, two people were stabbed,” he said.

Original article can be found here

Recipes

Taco Casserole

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Taco casserole is a good family meal, one that’s always a favourite around here especially on game days. Very easy to make a delicious medicated version for when friends are over. Will always be a hit and it’s simple and cheap to make. 

Total time: 15 Min Prep, 40 minutes cooking
Skill level: Easy
Yields: 4 Servings

Ingredients:
1 lb lean (at least 80%) ground beef
1 can (15 to 16 oz) spicy chili beans in sauce, undrained
1 cup Old El Paso™ Thick ‘n Chunky salsa
2 cups coarsely broken tortilla chips 
3/4 cup sour cream
4 medium green onions, sliced (1/4 cup)
1 medium onion, diced (1/3 cup)
1 medium tomato, chopped (3/4 cup)
1 cup shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese (4 oz)
Cannabis Coco oil or buttery
Whole tortilla chips, shredded lettuce and additional salsa, if desired

Directions:
Heat oven to 350°F. In 10-inch skillet, Melt butter or coconut oil, fry onions until translucent over medium heat. Add and cook beef  8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain. Stir in beans and 1 cup salsa. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.

In ungreased 2-quart casserole, place broken tortilla chips. Top with beef mixture. Spread with sour cream. Sprinkle with onions, tomato and cheese.

Bake uncovered 20 to 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Arrange whole tortilla chips around edge of casserole. Serve with lettuce and salsa.

Photo and uneducated version found here

Misc Other

Marc and Jodie Emery out on bail after pot shop raids

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A pair of Vancouver marijuana activists have been granted bail after being arrested and charged with several serious criminal offenses following a series of raids on Cannabis Culture locations across Canada.

A lawyer representing B.C.’s so-called “Prince and Princess of Pot” said Marc and Jodie Emery were arrested at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday, hours before police stormed marijuana shops they operate in Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa.

The Emerys have since been charged with drug trafficking, possession, conspiracy and possession of the proceeds of crime. An additional count of failure to comply with a recognizance was also approved against Marc.

They were held in police custody until Friday, when the pair was released on bail with the condition that they must remain in Ontario. They were released only after putting up $30,000 each in bail, and surrendering their passports and travel documents.

Neither is allowed to possess weapons, purchase or consume controlled substances, or traffic or abet the trafficking of marijuana, among other conditions.

Prior to their release, they were held in police custody in Toronto. Their lawyer, Kirk Tousaw, said both were in decent spirits while in jail.

“As decent as you can be in when you’re locked in a cage and your liberty has been restricted and deprived for no good reason,” Tousaw added.

The Emerys intend to fight the charges, which their lawyer described as a waste of the limited resources available to both police and the Crown – particularly with the federal government having pledged to introduce its pot legalization legislation this spring.

“I think history will judge us poorly for prohibition generally and judge us poorly for our actions in the lead up to legalization,” Tousaw said.

“Just because the law is on the books doesn’t mean that police have to enforce and it doesn’t mean the Crown has to prosecute.”

The couple currently operates 20 locations of the Cannabis Culture marijuana dispensary chain, including five in Toronto. Three Vancouver-area shops function as dispensaries, but the fourth, its flagship on Hastings Street, is described as a “vapor lounge.”

Vancouver police have taken a hands-off approach to dispensaries in the city, opting to focus on other investigations unless prompted by a complaint from the public.

They did take part in Thursday morning’s crackdown, but said they only were assisting with search warrants stemming from a Toronto police investigation.

A spokesperson directed all media inquiries to the Toronto Police Service.

During the raid, front windows of the Cannabis Culture storefront on Hastings were covered with brown paper while angry employees demanded answers from police.

One officer remained stationed in front of the front doors, while about a dozen activists held a “smoke out” directly out front.

Store manager Melissa Zorn felt the raid was “nothing more than a political manoeuver.”

“We’ve been operating here since 2005 and we’ve not seen the police step in our building since then,” she said.

Employees vowed not to allow police to leave with items seized during the raid, and sat down in front of the cruisers to block their exit in the alley behind the store.

The raid was one of 11 carried out across the country as part of Project Gator, a “Toronto Police Service project targeting marijuana dispensaries,” according to department spokesperson Const. Caroline de Kloet.

Three other people were arrested in connection with the warrants: pot activists Chris and Erin Goodwin and Britney Guerra. All have since been charged with conspiracy, with additional counts of possession and possession of the proceeds of crime approved against Chris and Guerra.

Erin was also charged with failure to comply with a recognizance.

Tousaw called the actions of police “shameful.”

“Good human beings are being literally locked into cages for cannabis,” he said. “This latest salvo in Canada’s senseless war on cannabis and cannabis consumers is a moral outrage and has no place in a free and democratic society.”

Vancouver Cannabis Culture employee Karina Smeds echoed that sentiment.

“It’s so unjust,” she told CTV Vancouver. “Marc and Jodie have been hassled and harassed by the system for decades.” 

All eight of their Montreal locations were raided in late 2016 and have been temporarily closed, according to the Cannabis Culture website. 

Original article can be found here

Misc Other

Trudeau dragging his feet on pot legislation stinks

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Police inside the Cannabis Culture store on Church Street. Police raid Cannabis stores across the country on Thursday March 9, 2017. (Craig Robertson /Toronto Sun)
You’d think they would be out of doobies.

Even after Toronto Police cleaned the place out of all their pot, the stench of marijuana was ripe inside the store. Police took out tens of thousands of dollars worth of product from envelopes and jars.

But they didn’t get it all.

Staff found police left behind some rolled joints and undetected envelopes of pot.

The smiling group, who got off on warnings by the same police who did charge owners Marc and Jodi Emery, quickly rolled and sparked up the spoils in defiance right in front myself and colleagues Maryam Shah and photographer Craig Robertson.

The message was clear.

“We will be open again tomorrow,” General Manager Jamie McConnell insisted. “When you are in the pot dispensary business, you expect this.”

Having said that arresting the Emerys on the airplane and “raiding every store” did “come as a surprise.”

Meanwhile, even though the aroma inside Cannabis Culture at 461 Church St. was strong, it’s not the biggest stink in this story of the mission by the federal Liberal government to “legalize” marijuana.

That big corporate entities, and big government, would prefer to corner the market and cut out small pot pioneers is what smells the most.

“Government wants the large player dispensing model for tax collection and profit but the buying public want this storefront model,” said McConnell. “We pay our taxes and we serve 2,000 people every day.”

But it’s the Shoppers Drug Mart, or perhaps even an LCBO-style model, that is the way government is taking legalization – clearly a different direction than letting people like Emery get a foothold into that future multi-billion dollar goldmine. They don’t have to look back far in history to see how people with names like Bronfman, Kennedy and Sleeman were thorns in the side of the law during prohibition times but later became pillars of society.

Ironically many of today’s pillars and powerful who have invested in a pot full future.

While you certainly can’t blame police for doing it’s job – and they did it professionally Thursday as the people in the store admitted – you can question Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when he smoked marijuana as a member of the House of Commons, did it come from a legal source or from the grey market like the Emerys operate?

There’s a lot of hypocrisy to go around.

Yes, the laws are there – but to cut the pot enthusiast pioneers out of the legislation pot quest is unreasonable. There’s nothing wrong with being fair and to work with, and talk to, the Marc Emerys of the pot world instead of jailing them.

And accept there’s enough financial buzz for both models to exist.

“We will take as much time as it takes to do it right,” Federal pot czar Scrarborough MP and former Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair told Bloomberg in an interview Monday. “I’m pretty reluctant to suggest a specific time frame, frankly, because I don’t know how long this will take in each of our 10 provinces and three territories.”

Perhaps the Trudeau government should let them all smoke or get off the pot altogether.

Original article can be found here

Misc Other

Cannabis Culture pot shops raided across Canada, Marc and Jodie Emery arrested

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 Toronto police raid a Cannabis Culture shop in Toronto on March 9, 2017, as stores are being raided across the country. CITYNEWS/Bryan Carey 

Police are raiding Cannabis Culture pot shops across the country, the day after Marc Emery and Jodie Emery were arrested at Toronto Pearson International Airport. 

Marc Emery, Canada’s Prince of Pot, owns the Cannabis Culture shops with his wife Jodie. 

Shops are being raided in Toronto, Hamilton, Vancouver, Montreal, and Ottawa. Toronto police said it’s part of an investigation dubbed Project Gator, which is targeting marijuana dispensaries. 

Just after 11:30 a.m., the Cannabis Culture at 461 Church St. posted a video of what they said was an ongoing raid at the store. ​​

​Video posted by Cannabis Culture

Peel police confirmed a man and a woman were arrested at the airport on Wednesday night, but did not release their names. 

The pair were arrested around 7:30 p.m. at the departure area, police said. 

 
A lawyer for Marc Emery and Jodie Emery posted on Facebook that the pair will appear in court on Thursday. 

“Just spoke to Marc Emery. He and Jodie Emery have been arrested in Toronto and are both being held for a bail hearing tomorrow at Old City Hall,” Kirk Tousaw wrote. 

“It appears they were arrested at the airport and not as part of a raid.” 

Another lawyer, Jack Lloyd, did not say what charges the Emerys are facing. Toronto police, who arrested the Emerys, have also not said what the charges are. 

Earlier Wednesday, Marc Emery had posted on Facebook that he and Jodie were heading to Spannabis, a cannabis expo, in Barcelona. 

Original article can be found here

Misc Other

Marc and Jodie Emery Arrested In Toronto

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What Kind Of Path To Legalization Starts With A Crackdown On Legalization Activists?


Toronto cannabis activist Chris Goodwin posted on his facebook page late Wednesday night (March 8, 2017) that prominent legalization activists Marc and Jodie Emery have been arrested and their bail hearing is set for 10 AM Thursday morning (March 9, 2017).

This was confirmed shortly after by lawyer Kirk Tousaw.

This is far from being Marc Emery’s first arrest, his longstanding career in libertarian civil disobedience has landed him in jail, including a 5 year stretch in the US following a one-sided extradition process.

Their arrest is another in a Canada-wide crackdown on the same compassion clubs and activist networks that championed Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party in the 2015 election based entirely on Trudeau’s legalization promise.

Trudeau’s legalization promise has proven to be yet another example in a long line of promises that were made to be broken, while making token gesutres to give the appearance of keeping them.

Other examples include the hearings and consultations for electoral reform, which was another major promise, before declaring that Canadians weren’ interested in it anymore and giving a litany of reasons why it was a bad idea, and announcing he had ended the Harper Government’s P3 requirement for federal infrastructure funding while actually expanding the P3 requirement with the formation of the P3 driven ‘infrastructure bank’.

In this case, Trudeau is playing the long game against legalization, using delay tactics to keep the ball rolling in circles, possibly until the next election when he can use it to win another term, as some activists are suggesting.

The most insulting of these delay tactics is his decision to give control over the legalization process to Bill Blair, a long time anti-cannabis lobbyist and former chief of one of Canada’s most corrupt police forces.



Original article can be found here

Misc Other

Chemainus dispensary reopens following RCMP raids in North Cowichan

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 Leaf Compassion’s Regional Manager Justin Gurinskas stands out front of the store location in Chemainus that was raided by RCMP on Friday. / MIKE GREGORY/LADYSMITH CHRONICLE 

A Chemainus dispensary reopened less than 48 hours after North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP raided three cannabis retailers in North Cowichan late Friday morning. 

Officers entered Leaf Compassion and Green Aura in Chemainus with a warrant at around 11 p.m. on Friday and were still on scene in the early hours of the evening. 

“They went ahead and arrested all of our staff that were on site and began their search and seizure,” said Leaf Compassion’s regional manager Justin Gurinskas outside the store just minutes after owner Kyle Cheyne was arrested and taken into custody. 

Green Tea Medical Dispensary, located in Duncan but part of the North Cowichan municipality, was also raided on Thursday. 

But that didn’t stop Cheyne, who also has Leaf Compassion locations across the island, including Victoria and Port Alberni, from reopening in Chemainus on Sunday morning. 

“We’ll literally keep fighting this until it goes to the Supreme Court of Canada,” he said. “We have too many people, especially seniors, who are pushing us for the access to feel better.” 

Cheyne requires medical marijuana due to cysts he developed first as a child. 

Both Green Aura and Leaf Compassion have been fined $200 twice by the Municipality of the North Cowichan in recent months for not holding a business licence. 

North Cowichan Mayor Jon Lefebure said it can take significant staff time and resources to be able to issue a ticket. 

“To serve a ticket we have to find the owner of the business,” said Lefebure, noting that the RCMP’s actions are separate from those of the municipality. 

“Serving a ticket is not necessarily easy and takes time and energy…so that is a restriction on the ability of our bylaw officers.” 

The store front operations at dispensaries are also not licenced by Health Canada. 

According to the RCMP, investigators gathered evidence of possible offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. 

“The RCMP is guided by the current legislation and the laws as they exist in Canada. While there may be pending changes in the legislation, until such time as this legislation has been passed and new laws enacted, the RCMP will enforce the laws of Canada as they exist today says Insp. Ray Carfantan, officer in charge of North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP. 

“The North Cowichan/Duncan Detachment engages in ongoing consultation with the community to ensure that the priorities of the community are reflected in the policing priorities for the Detachment. Our community priorities are in alignment with the priorities for both Canada and the Province of British Columbia.” 

In total, at least four staff from Leaf Compassion as well as the co-owners of Green Aura, Cody Aginas and Trevor Pewarchuk, were arrested and have charges pending. 

Aginas said all of the cannabis was seized from their store, as well as a computer and other hemp products. 

“We do have plans to reopen in the very short term. It won’t be myself but there will be representatives of Green Aura,” Aginas said. “We were there to help people and the municipality is being unjust to not offer this help and support to their community.” 

The investigation remains ongoing and “marijuana, marijuana derivatives and evidence of sales were seized,” the RCMP said. 

Employees at both Chemainus dispensaries have started online campaigns to raise funds for legal fees. 

“We’ve spoken to our legal counsel and they’re pretty confident that the charges will be dropped,” Aginas said. 

The raids come within hours of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Vancouver Island last week and reinforced that marijuana dispensaries are illegal. 

Cheyne said he doesn’t plan on being “intimidated” despite the RCMP sending a letter to the building’s owner threatening to take possession if things continue. 

“They guaranteed me that they’re going to continue to attack me and I guaranteed them that I wasn’t going to stop either,” he said. “At the end of the day we just need to care.” 

Original article can be found here

Misc Other

Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Hash

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 Hash is one of the oldest ways of processing cannabis around. Northern Africa and the Middle East are the two regions most known for traditional hash making. Today, the world’s two largest hash exporters are Morocco and Afghanistan. However, various forms of hash and different processing technologies have rapidly made highly potent hash-like extractions popular all over the world. Hoping to learn a little more about hash? Here’s what hash is and what makes it so amazing. 

What is hash?

 Hash, also known as hashish, is a traditional method of consuming pressed cannabis resin. Cannabis resin in broken off from the bud through a process of sieving. There are many different traditional methods for hash making, and techniques vary from region to region. 

Nowadays, technology has revolutionized the hash and concentrate business. Machine and solvent-based extractions are seemingly more common in the United States than more traditional hashish products, including charas, which are delightful round balls of rolled cannabis resin from landrace indica plants in the Himalayas. 

Solvent-based extractions, such as butane hash oil (BHO) and CO2 oil are extremely pure. However, there may be some benefit in opting for less processed forms of concentrated resin. 

Many of the terpenes and flavor molecules in cannabis are lost during solvent-based extractions (especially CO2), and hash has been deemed a healthy cannabis-product all around thanks to the higher concentrations of CBD typically present in traditional hashish. 

With more traditional forms of hash making, sieved kief crystals are pressed, kneaded, and sometimes heated to create a ball or compressed brick of hashish. Sticky globs of this stuff can be put into a pipe or on top of some ground bud in a vaporizer. Some hash has more of a soft, crumbly, consistency. 

This hash is often pressed rather than hand-rolled. This type hash is very simple to make at home. Anyone with kief can simply put their sugary crystals into a kief press and transform loose powder into a simple, hash-like disk. While traditional hash making takes craftsmanship, compressed kief is perhaps the simplest way to make a basic hash. 

3 common types of hash

Other than concentrates, here are a few buzzwords for specific types of hash most commonly found at dispensaries and other Western access points. Here are three types of hash you should know about: 

1. Bubble hash 

 Bubble hash is made by agitating cannabis resin glands off of plant material using ice water and sometimes special sieving bags called bubble bags. The extracted material is then collected as a goo that drys into a powdery substance. 

This powder can then further rolled and pressed into a product with a smoother consistency, but it is often served up as a slightly crumbly, hash goo. 

Want to learn more about making bubble hash? Take a look at the full article here. 

2. Charas

 Charas are traditional hash balls that are seived and hand-rolled in Nepal and northern India. In their native region, charas are traditionally made with landrace indica strains, which give these tasty resin dollops a calming and sedative effect. Charas look like a dark, pliable gooey ball, with a texture similar to a soft dough.

3. Dry ice hash 

 Dry ice hash is similar to bubble hash, bit this one uses dry ice. The result is a delicious golden powder that you can scoop up and roll into a joint to place atop some flower in a vaporizer. This method of extraction is very fast, taking all of about 15 minutes in total, plus the dry ice does not leave any moisture behind. This means that the simple hash will be ready to consume after. 

This method of extraction is very fast, taking all of about 15 minutes in total, plus the dry ice does not leave any moisture behind. This means that the simple hash will be ready to consume after straining. 

To learn how to make dry ice hash at home, check out the article here. 

Original article can be found here

Misc Other

Nelson council passes cannabis bylaws

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 City council’s rules about dispensary location and licencing will be in effect until the federal government comes up with new legislation. / BILL METCALFE 

Nelson council voted in favour of final adoption of its medical cannabis business licence bylaw as well as its cannabis business zoning amendment bylaw on Monday night, stating that the bylaws will be in place until the federal government brings in regulations. 

Mayor Deb Kozak said council has spent an inordinate amount of time discussing this. 

“There have been many hours of staff and council research, it has been onerous. We are trying to put in place a good interim bylaw composed of best practices, plus taking into consideration our small downtown.” 

The business licence bylaw 

The business licence bylaw restricts the number of cannabis dispensaries in the city to six and requires operators to apply for a $5,000 annual licence. 

It imposes a number of specified security provisions such as video surveillance cameras, security and fire alarms, and air filtration. It contains stipulations about signage and the number of staff who must be on the premises. Windows facing the street must be opaque. 

People under 19 are not allowed on the premises unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, and no one may smoke or ingest cannabis on the premises. 

A violation of the bylaw can lead to a maximum of six months in jail or a $10,000 fine. 

The business licence bylaw had already passed third reading at a previous council meeting and was on the table again Monday for final adoption. 

Before the vote, city management presented a summary of 64 comments from 36 commenters that the city had received from the public about the licencing bylaw. 

The most frequent comment was from 16 people who felt that the licence fee was too high. Only seven of the 64 comments asked for dispensaries to be disallowed. 

All councillors including Mayor Deb Kozak voted in favour of the bylaw except Councillors Bob Adams and Janice Morrison. 

Adams moved that the bylaw be withdrawn and that there be no bylaw until the federal government comes up with its marijuana legislation. No one seconded his motion. 

Morrison stated that she disagrees with people being allowed to sell or purchase marijuana regardless of licencing. 

“This is an illegal business and until such time as the federal government, which I feel has done a really good job of abdicating their role, gets this completed, I think these compassion clubs and marijuana dispensaries should be closed in the city of Nelson,” said Morrison. 

The zoning amendment bylaw

The zoning amendment bylaw had already passed second reading at a previous council meeting and was on the table again Monday for third reading and final adoption. 

The bylaw creates rules about where cannabis-related businesses may be located, in this case in the C1 (downtown commercial) and MU4 (waterfront mixed use) zones, and it stipulates that in those zones they may not exist within certain specified distances of each other, or within 80 metres of the youth centre or a public school. 

Whenever a municipality changes the rules on what kind of business can exist in specific zones of the city, it must hold a public hearing so that property owners in the immediate area can speak about how they zoning change will affect them. 

Seven people spoke, five of them owners or employees of existing dispensaries explaining why the bylaw is onerous. 

The most common concern was that three dispensaries located in the Front Street area are now in violation of the new bylaw because they are located too close to each other and too close to the youth centre, and will have to either move or apply to the city for a variance. Moving will not be easy, they said, because of a lack of commercial real estate space in Nelson. 

Phillip McMillan, who has run the Compassion Club as a non-profit since 1999, said, “This bylaw will add unnecessary costs to sick and dying people who are financially struggling. I have tried to make my product as affordable as possible.” 

All councillors including the mayor voted in favour of the bylaw except Adams and Morrison. 

Original article can be found here

Recipes

Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese

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Medicated Jalapeño popper grilled cheeses are a quick and easy way to step up your grilled cheese game. This simple recipe will turn that bland old grilled cheese into a gourmet favourite. A quick and delicious way to medicate and a nice warm meal on those cold winter days.


Total time: 15 Minutes
Skill level: Easy
Makes: 2 Sandwiches


Ingredients:
4 oz. jalapeño cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. garlic powder
kosher salt
finely ground black pepper
4 slices french bread
2 c. shredded Cheddar
Cooked bacon, halved
Medicated butter or coconut oil


Directions:
In a large bowl, stir together cream cheese and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper.

Butter one side of each slice of French bread. On the other side of two slices, spread a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture.

In a large skillet over medium heat, add bread with cream cheese mixture, buttered side down. Top with 1/2 cup cheddar and half the bacon, then top with another 1/2 cup cheddar. Top with remaining slice of bread, buttered side up.

Cook until melty and golden, 4 to 5 minutes, then flip and cook 5 minutes more.

Repeat with second sandwich.
Photos and unmedicated version from here

Misc Other

Producer of tainted medical marijuana responds to proposed lawsuit

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Wagners law firm in Halifax has filed a notice of action against the federally licensed producer

 Organigram, a medical marijuana producer based in Moncton, says it is working to get its full organic accreditation back after an investigation into how low levels of pesticides got into the company’s products. (Tori Weldon/CBC) 

A New Brunswick-based medical marijuana company says it will “vigorously” defend itself if a class action lawsuit goes ahead over pesticides found in company products. 

Organigram Inc. issued voluntary recalls of almost all of its products sold last year after residual levels of unapproved pesticides were found. 

On Friday, Wagners law firm in Halifax filed a notice of action in Nova Scotia Surpreme Court against the federally licensed producer and its parent company, Organigram Holdings Inc. 

Lawyer Ray Wagner said in an interview that his firm has received hundreds of calls from Organigram consumers who are worried about the potential impact of pesticides on their health. 

The proposed lawsuit alleges negligent “design, development, testing, manufacturing, distribution, sale and marketing of [Organigram’s] purported organic medical cannabis,” the firm said. 

The action also seeks refunds for consumers on recalled products, and accuses Organigram of breaching its contract with consumers to provide certified organic products. 

Customer refunds 

In a news release Tuesday, Organigram CEO Denis Arsenault responded to the legal action, saying the producer will “vigorously defend our company and its actions related to the product recall.”

 Organigram CEO Denis Arsenault says the company offered all non-insured clients a credit equal to the purchase price of the recalled product. (CBC) 

He added that the company offered all non-insured clients an account credit equal to the purchase price of the recalled product. 

The majority of clients are satisfied with this response, he said, and any claims by Wagner’s that customers were offered a refund at first are erroneous. 

“We have been in constant communication with clients who purchased recalled product,” he said. 

“We have been clear that Organigram will meet their needs by providing account credits valued at 100 per cent of that product’s value and will make freshly harvested and tested product available to them.” 

Posting test results 

Starting next week, Organigram said, it will post all test results of its harvested marijuana on its website. 

The company is the only producer of medical marijuana in New Brunswick that has been approved by Health Canada.

 Ray Wagner said that initially, his firm was not going to pursue a class action suit because Organigram had said it would refund customers, something the producer denies. (CBC) 

It issued voluntary recalls of almost all of its products sold last year after residual levels of two unapproved pesticides — myclobutanil and bifenazate — were found. 

When burned, myclobutanil produces hydrogen cyanide, which interferes with how oxygen is used in the body and can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea and vomiting. 

As a result of the recall, the Moncton company’s organic certification was suspended in January. 

In the news release, Organigram said it recently completed an investigation into events leading to the December and January recalls and has put new growing and harvesting protocols in place. 

Organigram did not say what it discovered about how the pesticides got into the company’s products. 

Marijuana harvested after the recall has tested negative for pesticides, the news release said. 

“With the new procedures in place, we are fully confident in our ability to deliver high-quality product to our clients,” said Arsenault. 

Financial impact 

News of the lawsuit caused a sharp decline in Organigram Holding Inc.’s share price. 

On Tuesday, shares dropped by 32 cents, or 12.96 per cent, to $2.15. 

Over the last five days, shares dropped 14 per cent and are down 25.86 per cent to date from last year. 

Arsenault said the company has allocated $2.26 million this quarter to cover losses associated with the recalls. 

In an email to the CBC, he added that the share price does not reflect the business’s long-term potential. 

“We remain confident that Organigram has addressed the issues with the recall [and] will exit the situation a stronger company.” 

Original article can be found here

Misc Other

Vancouver Park Board shoots down 4/20 permit 4-3

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Sunset Beach in Vancouver will be home to a 4/20 gathering next month for the second year in a row. 

It also won’t be sanctioned by the Vancouver Park Board for the second year in a row after commissioners voted 4-3 against issuing a permit to 4/20 Vancouver organizers, which would have allowed them to purchase insurance. 

NPA commissioners John Coupar, Sarah Kirby-Yung and Casey Crawford were joined by Green Party commissioner Stuart Mackinnon in supporting a motion that “will not permit or approve future 420 and/or cannabis day events on any property that falls under Park Board jurisdiction.” Catherine Evans (Vision Vancouver), vice-chair Erin Shum (Independent) and chair Michael Wiebe (Green Party), despite their objection to the unsanctioned event taking place on the West End waterfront, voted against the motion. 

“The only way we can say that ‘no this is not an appropriate use of park space’ is to say no to them,” said Mackinnon. “We know that regardless of whether we give them a permit or not, they’re going to come. We know that regardless of whether we give them a permit or not, they may or may not have insurance, and they may or may not give us money, and they may or may not clean up after themselves. There are no guarantees.” 

The vote came despite a recommendation from park board staff to issue a permit given that the event will take place with or without the board’s approval and would be a way to potentially offset costs. The conclusion was reached by both a special working group and a steering committee and presented in a report prepared by manager of business development Octavio Silva. 

“While both groups acknowledge the challenging aspects associated with the 4/20 celebration and protest, they also recognize that the event will occur regardless,” stated the staff report. “Further, with the impending federal legalization of marijuana, there is recognition that in the foreseeable future, the 4/20 initiative will likely shift from being a protest to a legal celebration.” 

4/20 Vancouver organizer Dana Larsen was not impressed by the decision reached at nearly 11pm and spoke to reporters outside the meeting afterward. 

“If only we would drink alcohol instead of smoking cannabis, we would get a permit like that,” said Larsen while snapping his fingers. “This is clearly just prejudicial. It’s not about Sunset Beach, it’s about the dislike of cannabis users and the cannabis culture… Vancouver does not have a lot of great spaces for large outdoor events. We’ve worked with the city and we tried to work with the Park Board, and Sunset Beach is the best place we could get for this kind of event.” 

Larsen pointed out that the annual protest against prohibition laws and celebration of cannabis culture predates the dispensaries that now openly operate in the city. The rally has taken place every year since founder Marc Emery held the first one at Victory Square in 1995 outside Cannabis Culture’s downtown headquarters. 

Last year’s event on April 20 – the first time in many years that the annual pot prohibition protest was held away from its traditional home outside the Vancouver Art Gallery due to construction – cost taxpayers an estimated $155,000 dollars. Reasons for denying the permit ranged from the amount of garbage left behind at last year’s event to concerns minors would be able to partake, tourists on the Seawall might stumble into it, and the grounds could be destroyed if the weather is wet. The board would have also have needed to suspend its anti-smoking bylaw and concern was expressed about the precedent this would set. 

“Basically there was a downloading from the City of Vancouver to the Park Board because ‘we don’t want to deal with it, you take it,’” said Coupar, who introduced the motion Feb. 20. “I am very concerned that we as commissioners would consider suspending our own bylaws for one group. I think this is a real mistake for us to condone this.” 

After last year’s rally, park board staff worked with the City of Vancouver’s legal department to explore ways it could prevent it from returning to Sunset Beach Park or any other park in the city and to identify a more appropriate location for the event. Both the PNE and the False Creek area currently occupied by the touring Cavalia show were considered. 

A separate “4/20 Classic” is planned for outside the art gallery.

Original article can be found here