POT TV – Follow the live stream of the HESA Standing Committee on Health hearings for Bill C-45 The Cannabis Act.
Follow the breaking testimony of HESA hearings related to Bill C45, The Cannabis Act.
Breaking:
Jonathan Page offered an introduction on cannabis cultivation, making an excellent point that if you leave a cannabis plant on vacation for a week in good soil, you could come home in violation of the law, with the plant growing beyond regulations (100cm restriction).
John Conroy, a seasoned lawyer with many famous cannabis cases to his credit, recounts a short legal history of the Allard case, which guarantees every Canadian’s right to grow cannabis.
Update: Conroy calls for access to growing space, as many people don’t have space that meets the act’s requirements.
Update: John Dickie, tenancy expert, has concerns rooted into illegal grows (electrical, smell). If the grow is illegal, most of his concerns would be dealt with. Any additional concern falls within standard tenancy agreements. Realizes that four plant regulation doesn’t make sense without area of growth limit. (No word on how that should be restricted, as citizens do not have equal access to space)
Update: Conservative MP re-hashes faulty logic disproved in the Allard trial regarding home grows (dangers of fire, mold, etc)
Update: Conservative MP tailors questions to protect property rights over liberty. Complains that apartment 801 in her building produces a lot of second hand smoke. (She’s the one who claimed you could smoke toasterbud.)
Update: Edibles are discussed again. The best way to limit smoke is to allow other forms.
Update: John Conroy makes excellent points regarding prohibiting the existing market, which is foolish, and will continue to clog courts.
Update: Size regulations don’t make sense, as grows and genetics vary. Height is not an issue.
Update: Questions raised about children getting access to home grown cannabis. No questions about how much liqour you can store in your home.
Update: Conroy makes clear none of the proposed problems persist after decades of growing. “Where are the bodies?” An open, legal framework won’t make the sky fall.
Update: Conroy faces off with Conservative “toasterbud” MP about how long it will take to set up a legal market. ‘We already have a market that needs to be brought into legality. We have years of information. It shouldn’t take this long. The problem is the process, not the subject matter.’
Update: Conroy makes years of legal history clear, that punishments are barbaric and un-needed. The act, as proposed, only makes cannabis less-illegal, but not legal.
Update: Youth panel begins. Drug policy advisor suggests youth not be subjected to the criminal justice system to increase public health and safety. Cannabis use can be discouraged without harsh penalties which have long lasting effects.
Update: Youth advocate advises setting legal age for cannabis matching alcohol. ‘We need to normalize the discussion of cannabis, not the use of it.’
Update: Claims of youth psychosis are cited. Brief submitted to house refuses this claim. Youth advocate advises zoning cannabis sales away from schools, labeling similar to tobacco, limited strength purchasing for 18-25yr olds.
Update: Youth advocate advises balanced education, highlighting medical and safety information, would accept 16 as age-limit for cannabis. Education is the best approach.
Update: “Don’t ask ‘why the drug. Ask ‘why the pain.” “Jail cells can’t be the new classroom.”
Update: Youth cannot be criminalized for alcohol possession. Why should they be for cannabis possession. Any law will be applied dis-proportionally to aboriginal youth.
Update: Drug treatment speaker claims link between cannabis and lung cancer, and a 50% increase in psychosis. General population statistics do not show any such rise.
He also claims Colorado had an increase in driving accidents in 2013. Colorado’s 2013 rates spiked, but are on an 8 year decline.
Update: Expert called upon by Conservative MP rehashed the Gateway Theory, then mis-identifies CBD as being non-psychoactive (CBD has been used to help PTSD and it acts on the brain. While it may not be euphorically psychedelic, it’s certainly psychoactive, and the distinction needs to be understood.) Expert claims expertise in addiction. I’m skeptical he’s seriously explored drug literature.
Second “expert” claims a risk of addiction. Worries of ‘rappers’ lifestyles.’ Claims we’ll never be able to educate people not to smoke. MP Don Davies has held strong, asking excellent questions.
Update: MP Toasterbud tries to link cannabis to low sperm count. Her called upon expert, Gateway Theory, refutes claim, says possession limits are arbitrary and that education is the most important route.
Update: Gabor Mate offers expert testimony. The problems of addiction cannot be rooted in only addiction, the roots of the pain in the lives of addicts needs to be addressed. A change in cannabis policy should be followed by a change in all drug policy. ‘I practice evidence-based medicine. I hope you practice evidence-based policy.’
Update: Toronto Public Health advocates limited advertising, both in store and outside, and a strong campaign to dissuade impaired driving. Plain packaging. Government pot shops. No edibles. Urges immediate decriminalization to prevent social harms of the criminal justice system.
Update: All experts agree criminal justice approach is a failure.
Update: Mate reiterates upon questioning that the drug war needs to end and new approaches need to be taken. ‘Money from cannabis isn’t for highways. It’s to address the social conditions that stimulate use and abuse.’
Update: Discussion turns to cannabis branding and plea for plain packaging. One expert claims there should be no cannabis promotion and sponsorship, which would exclude events like 420 or music festivals.
Update: Talk turns to cannabis use during pregnancy, and unknown concerns. No discussion about cannabinoids already existing in breast milk.
Update: Conservative MP asks again about Gateway Theory. Mate refutes the theory, advises a real examination of the pain related to the cause of addiction.
Update: MP Toasterbud sparks conversation to ban home gardens. Then proceeds to speak about tobacco, of which there are no home growing restrictions.
