Task Force on Cannabis Got it Mostly Right.

Last week’s release of the report by the Canadian government’s Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation largely took a public health approach, which is appropriate given both the initial terms of reference and the evidence they gathered throughout the process. It was heartening to see the government get this right, for the most part, and to see the focus on access to medicine for medical users and fair access to safe and reliable cannabis for recreational users. They crafted a strategy governed by an overarching harm reduction objective, as opposed to the nanny state, control-oriented philosophy that governs so much of what happens in my native province of Ontario.

A study released this week shows that Oregon residents, by an overwhelming majority, feel working with the marijuana industry does not damage the reputation of financial institutions. The survey also indicates banks and credit unions might enhance their standing and attract new customers in Oregon by working with the cannabis industry.

The survey, conducted by LT Public Relations (LTPR) and DHM Research, suggests financial institutions could bolster their image by making loans to marijuana businesses in Oregon. LTPR works with financial, healthcare and professional services organizations. DHM is an opinion research company. Both are based in Portland, Ore.

IN NOVEMBER 57% of Californians voted to legalise the growing and use of marijuana for recreational purposes. Americans in seven other states and Washington, DC, are now, or soon expect to be, free to puff away at leisure, but liberalisation in the most populous border state will be felt acutely down south. Mexico has just marked the tenth anniversary of a war on drugs. It has spent millions of dollars on eradicating cannabis. Now it will abut a huge regulated market for the stuff—and one where 30% of the population is Mexican or Mexican-American. Changes in the United States may be prompting a rethink in Mexico, too—among ordinary people, policymakers and purveyors of pot alike.

Danish government unlikely to grant request for trial legalisation programme.

Copenhagen officials are trying to legalise cannabis - despite the Danish government rejecting a proposed trial three times previously. 

The city government, led by Mayor Frank Jensen, has made its fourth formal request that the capital is allowed to carry out a trial legalisation programme where sales are exclusively handled by public authorities. 

Toronto police have begun a pilot project testing the use of roadside screening devices for drug-impaired driving.

The project - which continues through to next spring - will test how well officers are able to use certain roadside drug−testing devices on motorists under different weather conditions and at night.

It is part of a national effort aimed at testing how police forces can detect drug-impaired drivers, with forces in Vancouver, Halifax and Gatineau, Que., as well as the Ontario Provincial Police and certain RCMP detachments taking part.

Toronto police say the information they will be collecting will help develop practices for the use of "oral-fluid" screening devices in Canada.

The number of pregnant women smoking cannabis has gone up 62 percent since 2002, figures reveal.

Despite the growing swell of studies showing marijuana's medicinal qualities, all peer-reviewed research shows the drug is detrimental to unborn babies.

It can damage the development of the fetal brain, and can also increase a child's risk of developing health problems such as asthma.

However, a new study by New York's Columbia University has shown the prevalence of marijuana use among expectant mothers in the past month rose from 2.4 percent in 2002 to 3.9 percent in 2014.

Lead author Dr Deborah Hasin said: 'These results offer an important step toward understanding trends in marijuana use among women of reproductive age.

Thanks to voters who checked “yes” for recreational marijuana legalization on this year’s election ballot, gift-giving during the holidays is about to get a lot more dank. But just because recreational marijuana is legal in a state doesn’t necessarily mean you can just give it away willy nilly. Make sure your holiday good cheer doesn’t come with a side of incarceration by using this handy guide to cannabis gift giving, organized by state.

As the year comes to a close, the Cannabis Business Alliance (CBA)  reviews the highlights of 2016 and provides an outlook for 2017.

Enormous growth

Many say it could lead to fewer alcohol-related incidents, including sexual assault.

Some Harvard students are confident that campus life will improve now that Massachusetts has made marijuana fully legal.

According to a report from The Crimson, many of the University’s undergraduates believe the legalization of marijuana across the state, made possible through the recent passing of the voter initiative Question 4, will only have a positive influence.

Australia might be called the lucky country, but luck has not been with the Victorian people when it comes to cannabis. Despite being one of the most progressive Australian states, with one of the most progressive state governments in the country, cannabis is still perceived by the Victorian Government as largely harmful to society.

As a Victorian MP and leader of the Australian Sex Party, I've long advocated for change, with taxation and regulation of cannabis a founding party policy. I even moved a motion in the Victorian upper house earlier this year to try and make that happen. The six-to-32 loss did, at least, start a conversation about the lack of rational for keeping cannabis illegal.