A new study by researchers at the University of Victoria and UBC suggests pot is getting a bad rap as a gateway drug.

The study indicates cannabis can actually be a safer substitute for potentially more dangerous drugs like prescription opiates, alcohol and illicit substances.

"While cannabis is not benign, most research suggests that it's safer and less addictive than many substances, particularly prescription opiates," said lead author Philippe Lucas in a written statement.

"So research suggesting that cannabis substitution could reduce harms and lessen the public health and safety impact of alcohol and other drugs has significant policy implications."

Lucas says for some people, it might even be an "exit drug" to addiction.

People who experience chronic pain can go for years without relief, jumping from one medication to the next without necessarily relieving any of their symptoms.

But hope for these conditions has been found in the form of medical marijuana — as long as doctors continue to study it and prescribe it.

An elected Liberal government would begin working to legalize and regulate marijuana "right away," Justin Trudeau says.

"The Liberal Party is committed to legalizing and regulating marijuana," Trudeau said, in response to a reporter's question in Surrey, B.C., on Wednesday.

The Liberal Party Leader declined to set a firm timeline for legalization, but vowed to make it an early priority if elected on Oct. 19.

He said legalizing marijuana would fix a "failed system" and help "remove the criminal element" linked to the drug.

Trudeau went on to accuse Conservative Leader Stephen Harper of implementing anti-marijuana policies that allow the drug to fund "criminal organizations, street gangs and gun-runners."

Police deal with a marijuana possession incident every nine minutes in Canada, according to 2014 figures, but a CBC News analysis found that where you live plays a big role in determining whether you would have faced criminal charges.

Kelowna, B.C., tops the list of 34 Canadian cities for the highest per capita rate of marijuana charges. There were 251 charges per 100,000 population in 2014, far above the Canadian average of 79. The city of St. John's, by contrast, had 11 charges per 100,000.

An elected Liberal government would begin working to legalize and regulate marijuana "right away," Justin Trudeau says.

"The Liberal Party is committed to legalizing and regulating marijuana," Trudeau said, in response to a reporter's question in Surrey, B.C., on Wednesday.

The Liberal Party Leader declined to set a firm timeline for legalization, but vowed to make it an early priority if elected on Oct. 19.

He said legalizing marijuana would fix a "failed system" and help "remove the criminal element" linked to the drug.

NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, ON, Sept. 30, 2015 /CNW/ - Tweed Farms Inc. (Tweed Farms), wholly owned subsidiary of Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX.V: CGC) (Canopy Growth), has received Health Canada approval to commence cannabis cultivation in all 350,000 sq. ft. of the facility's growing space, a ten-fold increase from the previously licensed area.

A majority of Canadians are in favour of either decriminalizing or legalizing personal marijuana use, according to the latest findings of Vote Compass, CBC's voter-engagement survey.

This applies not only to Canadians overall but also to those who identify as Conservative voters — who have historically favoured a strict drug policy.

According to Vote Compass, 75 per cent of Conservative supporters favour either decriminalization or legalization of marijuana for personal use, compared to 86 per cent of respondents overall.

The findings are based on 14,502 respondents who participated in Vote Compass between Sept. 22 and Sept. 24.

TORONTO - Colorado did it. Oregon and Washington, too. Sarah Palin’s Alaska did it. Maine hasn’t done it yet, but its biggest city, Portland, did.

Even the District of Columbia did it, which may explain that goofy grin on Joe Biden’s face. Spain, Portugal, Holland and Uruguay did it, to one degree or another. Many other countries are doing it or thinking about doing it.

Hell, North Korea reportedly did it, though you’re out of luck if you get the munchies.

Bangladesh did it. At the risk of starting a stampede to Bangladesh, I read you can get a gram of decent local product for 15 cents. No wonder they call their river the Ganga.

Yes, the list of jurisdictions around the world with legal recreational marijuana is growing like, well, a weed.

TORONTO—A benchmark study has found that patients who use medical marijuana to treat chronic pain don’t have more serious side-effects than sufferers who don’t use the herb.

Dr. Mark Ware, the Montreal pain specialist who led the national study, says medical cannabis appears to have a reasonable safety profile when taken by patients who are experienced users.

The four-year study followed 215 adults with chronic non-cancer pain who used medical cannabis and compared them to a control group of 216 chronic pain sufferers who were not marijuana users.

The cannabis group was given access to herbal cannabis containing 12.5 per cent of the active ingredient THC from a licensed cannabis producer.

TORONTO -- A benchmark study has found that patients who use medical marijuana to treat chronic pain don't have more serious side-effects than sufferers who don't use the herb.

Dr. Mark Ware, the Montreal pain specialist who led the national study, says medical cannabis appears to have a reasonable safety profile when taken by patients who are experienced users.

The four-year study followed 215 adults with chronic non-cancer pain who used medical cannabis and compared them to a control group of 216 chronic pain sufferers who were not marijuana users.

The cannabis group was given access to herbal cannabis containing 12.5 per cent of the active ingredient THC from a licensed cannabis producer.