VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The Canadian government is moving forward with legalizing marijuana, but the RCMP is still cracking down on BC dispensaries.

Owner of Cannabis Culture Jodie Emery says now that the pot prohibition is ending, the arrests should stop too.

“Not one more person should be busted for marijuana as we move forward with legalization,” she explains. “They are not only wasting tax dollars that should be used in other ways, they are also saying to Canadians that they don’t care about their opinions and that they are going to enforce outdated laws.”

The government also revealed in the throne speech that it aims to build a leaner, more agile, better-equipped military, and to refocus its global aid – for the second time in a decade. It did commit the government to working to “keep all Canadians safe while at the same time protecting our cherished rights and freedoms”.

Dec 5, 2015- The annual speech to open the first session of parliament in Canada promised a “smart and caring” nation under the new Liberal government.

But first up next week, the Liberals said they would implement a tax cut on middle income earners promised during the election campaign.

Bedrocan is pleased to announce that it has received a license renewal for its shipping and storage facility in the Greater Toronto Area.

The license extension is valid for one calendar year from the date of issuance, December 2nd, 2015 and will allow Bedrocan to store and sell up to 240kg of dried cannabis during the licensing period. Bedrocan also holds a separate 2000kg production license that is valid through February 17th, 2016.

RCMP in B.C. continue to issue warnings and shut down shops selling medical marijuana, most recently in Vernon, despite the new federal government's promise to legalize the drug.

According to Jeff Gaudette, the co-owner of MMJ Total Health Care in downtown Vernon, last week officers issued verbal warnings to five shops selling medical marijuana.

Police made it clear the shops will be shut down if they continue to sell marijuana products, he said.

Gaudette said he's taking precautions by reducing the amount of stock in his store, but will continue to supply customers with medical cannabis.

"Our doors are open and our patients are going to be our voice. And if our doors get closed, I can assure you our patients will take to the streets and be heard."

Lacking any clear direction from Ottawa, the Arthritis Society has put together a diverse group that includes medical cannabis researchers, patient advocates, marijuana producers and bureaucrats to identify research priorities for the drug and create prescription guidelines for doctors.

The national charity gathered a cannabis roundtable in Vancouver on Thursday for two days of discussions. It plans to produce a report in the new year, identifying areas where more research could benefit patients, while answering important questions from doctors – such as appropriate dosage levels, how cannabis should be administered and which patients could benefit the most.

The future of medical and recreational marijuana in Canada remains blurry.

What is clear is that we’re in the midst of a pot predicament, and health authorities, law enforcement officials and politicians, as well as citizens in Saskatchewan and elsewhere, have a lot to contemplate.

Public sentiment seems to favour decriminalization or even legalization of marijuana for recreational use. One poll established that two-thirds of Canadians favour altering the law so that people are not given criminal records for minor, non-violent offences, whereas in a recent Leger poll, not only do 86 per cent of Canadians support regulated access to medical cannabis with physician support, but 76 per cent believe that health insurance companies should cover the cost.

A Quebec judge handed down what might be called a loonie sentence intended to call out Canada’s “ridiculous” marijuana laws — and it’s not the first time he has gone easy on an accused pot smoker.

Mario Larouche was in a Gatineau, Que., court last week, charged with possession of 30 pot plants.

Larouche, 46, of Outaouais, had tried unsuccessfully to obtain a medical marijuana licence so instead grew his own to help him deal with injuries from a 2000 car accident, according to La Presse.

He pleaded guilty, and the Crown asked for a sentence of 90 days in jail and a $250 fine.

BCGEU and BC Private Liquor Store Association announce partnership for distribution and sale of non-medical marijuana

The B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union (BCGEU) and the B.C. Private Liquor Store Association (BCPLSA) today announced a partnership to advocate for the sale of non-medical marijuana through the existing liquor distribution and retail system, including both public B.C. Liquor Stores and private Liquor Retail Stores (LRS).

The BCGEU and BCPLSA believe this partnership will help enable a safe, responsible and effective system for recreational marijuana in British Columbia. The partnership envisions enabling British Columbians to buy non-medical marijuana throughout age-controlled liquor stores by Christmas of 2016.