JUSTICE MINISTER Senator Mark Golding says the Government is aiming to create an inclusive framework for the operation of the medical marijuana industry.

He said the system would be designed in a way to allow for small farmers to operate within a lawful industry.

"We don't want a design which is going to be prohibitive in terms of its requirements that would exclude especially small farmers from participating. That is where we think that there (will) be tremendous economic benefits," he said.

The justice minister was addressing the Rotary Club of Kingston's luncheon held on Thursday at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.

A new group wants to reclaim what it means to be a “real” conservative by launching a Canadian campaign supporting marijuana legalization.

The first step is playing with Conservative party semiotics, first by giving its logo two green swipes and inserting a new marijuana leaf right in the heart of its “C”.

It’s a symbolic move that generated some buzz in Ottawa on Friday.

“Real Conservatives support legal marijuana,” former MP Inky Mark said in a news release on behalf of a newly-minted group called Canadian Conservatives for Legal Marijuana.

“Stephen Harper has lost his way with his big government campaign against marijuana users,” he said. Mark added “real Conservatives” are ones who stand for values including small government and lower taxes.

One year ago, UBC nursing professor Lynda Balneaves and PhD student Rielle Capler launched the Cannabis Access Regulations Study, (CANARY), to investigate how the end of homegrown medical marijuana would affect patients. One year later, with federal regulations on medical marijuana tied up in the courts, Capler discusses what they have learned about how patients are accessing cannabis.

What is the CANARY study?

It’s the largest study in Canada looking at the early impact of the new regulations on patient access to medical cannabis. There were about 450 patients nationwide that completed the survey, and a subset of about 30 that we interviewed to get a more nuanced understanding of the patient experience.

A pungent cloud of marijuana smoke will be wafting over many parts of Canada on Monday. Yes, it’s 4/20 again, the unofficial holiday that openly celebrates pot, reefer, ganga, weed, Mary Jane or whatever you like to call it.

In most places, though, you’re unlikely to see police swooping in to corral the tokers. Even though pot possession remains illegal, the narcs probably won’t be busting anyone except dealers.

Part of the reason is practical; charging dozens, if not hundreds of people is a logistical nightmare. Another part is a reflection of the times, the increasing tolerance, if not acceptance, of marijuana as a part of mainstream culture. It’s no longer on the fringe.

A San Francisco company is hoping to expand into Vancouver and the rest of Canada to help medical marijuana patients get their medicine more easily.

Eaze is a mobile app that allows people to order cannabis products and have them delivered by drivers in only minutes.

"We are definitely interested in bringing Eaze to Vancouver and Canada overall," said Eaze spokesperson Caroline Vespi in an email. "We don't have a time frame yet." 

The company, which partners with dispensaries and recruits drivers to hand-deliver marijuana to patients, says it's asking potential customers to sign up on its website so it can "prioritize expansion based on customer needs."

In the small back courtyard of his marijuana dispensary on East Hastings Street, Dana Larsen, a well-known pot activist, talks candidly about a subject he knows well: B.C. bud.

It’s four days out from one of the premier local events for marijuana enthusiasts and Larsen, the author of several pot-themed books whose past political involvement includes a run for the B.C. NDP leadership, sketches out some of the preparations for the annual massive toke-up known as 4/20.

Monday’s event outside the Vancouver Art Gallery, which marks the 20th anniversary of the smoke-out, is expected to draw a crowd of 20,000 to 30,000.

There will be bands, DJs, speeches, lots grass to buy from an expected 200 or so vendors, and, course, an incredible amount of pot smoking.

One year on, two systems for medical marijuana continue to (awkwardly) co-exist

What are you smoking?
Medical marijuana marketing rules are strict: no social media advertising, no colourful names and no allusions to its recreational use

For all those that celebrate 4/20, read these quotes from more supporters.

We’ve all seen the breaking news stories about the massive data breaches involving big-box retailers such as Target and Michaels. These incidents left consumers in fear, but the companies were able to absorb the losses.

Unfortunately, small businesses don’t always have the luxury of recouping massive financial losses after a breach. In severe cases, they’re forced to shut down for good.

If you’re a small business owner, here are some scams that could hurt your business:

1. Charitable causes

Problem: Donating to a charitable cause is a great way to pay it forward while receiving positive exposure for your company. Unfortunately, there are fraudsters who will take advantage of your generosity.

Aurora is working to find appropriate locations to allow a medical marijuana production facility.

At a recent public planning meeting, Aurora’s planning and development services director Marco Ramunno tabled a report recommending council direct town staff to implement a zoning bylaw amendment pertaining to such a facility to be reviewed and discussed at an upcoming general committee meeting.

“We are looking at two sites along the (Hwy.) 404 corridor,” Ramunno said. “If approved, these would be 150 metres from any residential or school sites.”