Whitehorse Daily Star

Weed usage not expected to rise: Streicker

As the federal government’s deadline for the legalization of cannabis looms just one day away,

By Palak Mangat on October 16, 2018

As the federal government’s deadline for the legalization of cannabis looms just one day away, the Yukon government was subject to questions from the opposition parties about the territory’s readiness on Monday.

Come Wednesday, though, the territorial government does not expect a dramatic change in the usage patterns of Yukoners.

That’s according to Community Services Minister John Streicker. He rose in the legislature Monday to say he suspects there will not be a noticeable rise.

“What I want to note is that with the legalization of cannabis, we don’t anticipate an increase in the usage,” Streicker said. His comment was partly in response to the Yukon Party’s question of what types of changes could be seen starting Wednesday.

Later, asked to clarify how he could make that estimate given that recreational cannabis has never been legal before in the country, the minister drew on other areas he’s looked at.

“From the evidence that those jurisdictions have shown, cannabis use has stayed fairly consistent before and after legalization,” Streicker said, listing some of those areas as including Colorado and parts of Alaska.

He stopped short of predicting usage patterns that could inevitably bump up demand, instead offering insight based off the patterns he has seen thus far.

“I can’t say what will happen in the future, but the evidence that we have is that in other jurisdictions, it hasn’t changed appreciably.”

Streicker’s statements were echoed by Justice Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee, who was responding to Yukon Party MLA Patti McLeod’s question of how cannabis impairment could be detected in potential cases of workplace accidents.

“The possession and use of cannabis is currently illegal – it always has been,” the minister said.

“We don’t anticipate the effect on the workplace to change,” McPhee added.

Streicker was pressed by McLeod, her party’s critic for the Department of Health and Social Services, on questions the opposition said it has heard from employers about how to detect cannabis impairment.

The minister made reference to the government’s substance use and impairment policy, updated most recently as of Oct. 1.

“Our employees must be fit for duty at work and not under the influence of a recreational drug that may compromise workplace safety,” he said, adding the policy (later provided by a cabinet spokesperson) applies to all staff.

“We already have methods in place to allow us to ascertain whether someone appears to be sober or not,” he said.

As legalization takes effect, he added, “We expect that there will be lots of interest in developing more devices.”

As for any new rules or changes that employers would be required by the government to follow, Streicker ruled that out.

“I don’t anticipate a change in the programs that are already in place.”

He later reiterated this, saying that “the rules that we have in place and the policies and procedures are there already.

“They’re not new.

“Cannabis has been in the territory since the territory has been here. When recreational cannabis becomes legalized on Wednesday the 17th, that’s not going to change,” he said.

Opposition questions about workplace safety and impairment are not new for the government, Streicker added.

The policy for impairment states in part: “as a measure to uphold the good reputation of the public service, employees must take care not to smell of intoxicants, such as alcohol or cannabis, while in the workplace or on duty.”

It continues that workers are not to consume to possess alcohol, cannabis or illegal drugs while on duty or in the workplace – but “exceptions for the use of medical cannabis may be allowed as part of a formal accommodation plan.”

Meanwhile, the territory has pegged demand in the Yukon at about 800 to 1,000 kilograms per year – a figure that has not changed since April 2017.

To meet that demand, it has signed supply agreements with a handful of producers. Among them are Tilray/High Park, Canopy Growth/Tweed, Broken Coast, Whistler Cannabis Company, Aurora and Aphria.

While those six are listed on the Yukon Liquor Corp.’s (YLC’s) webpage, a spokesperson confirmed Monday afternoon there are at least two more producers from which the territory has or will order cannabis products.

That includes Zenabis Global Inc. It announced late last week that it had secured a partnership with the YLC to provide products for supply in October and November, and Canna Farms.

“The only commitment we have is upfront purchase before Oct. 17 and the commitments thereafter are based on demand,” Matt King, the YLC’s president, told the Star this morning.

The corporation had hoped to carry about 200 kilograms of product by Wednesday.

With just one day left, King verified that it has received about 40 per cent of that anticipated 200 kilograms – an amount that he said would have carried it forward into a few months and safety stock.

“But the Yukon, like every other jurisdiction across the country, the supply challenges we’re experiencing are experienced nationwide,” King said.

He’s heard that Nova Scotia has also received about 40 per cent of its hoped-for stock.

“This is such an uncertain market; we’re going into something brand new,” he said.

“The reality is that licensed producers are doing their best, but they’re not able to ship us everything.”

As a result, “What we have in stock by tomorrow is what we have to offer. We’ll be replenishing stock as we go.”

King also verified the pricing mechanism: some producers will be listed as low as $6.17 per gram, with premium products that may be organically grown pricing upwards of $15 or higher.

See commentaries, pages 6, 7; a profile of the Yukon government’s new cannabis store in Wednesday’s Star.

Comments (37)

Up 0 Down 1

Doug Ryder on Oct 22, 2018 at 6:53 pm

Trying to catch a greased pig... Is that the tokers equivalent of a drinking game? Do you get into your wrestling gear?

Up 5 Down 0

Bandit on Oct 22, 2018 at 3:14 pm

@woodcutter
The biggest negative side effect I have noticed is that I couldn't find a bag of Doritos anywhere this weekend.
All kidding aside, we are 5 days in now, there hasn't been a marked increase in crime in the streets and I don't believe there will be.
@ Doug Ryder
Just because it became legal on the 17th there wasn't a bunch of non-users rushing out to get high. I don't believe that will change much. Those that did use prior to legalization will continue to use now, as they have for many years without fear of getting arrested for simple possession. Those that didn't use probably won't. I personally know many people who benefit from use to counteract the side effects of chemo-therapy, radiation, MS. I could go on, but as Donovan said "it's like trying to catch a greased pig." And for the record, I don't personally use but I am not against people that do benefit from it medicinally or recreationally.

Up 8 Down 1

Donovan McGlaughlin on Oct 22, 2018 at 11:50 am

@ woodcutter - It's like trying to catch a greased pig... after a while you realize the pig likes it. So I will graciously bow out of the conversation and watch from the sidelines. This is not a pig worth chasing.

Up 11 Down 2

woodcutter on Oct 22, 2018 at 10:00 am

@ Doug
To date the most terrifying medical side effect of smoking pot has been to fall asleep on the sofa with a full stomach. Terrible stuff that pot.

Up 11 Down 2

woodcutter on Oct 22, 2018 at 9:56 am

oh Doug you've really gone off the deep end on this. tsk tsk tsk.

Your entire foundation of why this stuff should be illegal is the 'it's not safe', and to a point I agree with you. How can burning something and inhaling it into ones lungs be called safe? However your desire for global safety doesn't expand beyond a obscure study that it appears doesn't even have consensus on those that have bothered to read it. Yawner I'd say. However your concern for public safety of our children doesn't extend to anything else, and food addictions are the worst to our health. Try to be happy Doug, your life could be extended significantly. Your anger issues are going to lead to heart disease, stroke and isolation, because who likes to be around a cranky boy.


It's legal. Get over it, life is not fair, get over it. The world is not a perfect place, get over it. I enjoy a puff and a beer, like 10,000 other Yukoners, get over it, it's not like I am looking for your approval. That's the nice thing of being a woodcutter, freedom and not requiring approval of a square John like you.

Up 5 Down 2

Doug Ryder on Oct 21, 2018 at 8:59 pm

Yo - Donovan - It’s on like Donkey Kong!
“Medical Marijuana: Where is the evidence?”
Marijuana is widely touted as an effective medicine for an array of conditions. But what does the evidence actually tell us?

Scott Gavura on January 11, 2018
Retrieved from:
https://sciencebasedmedicine.org/medical-marijuana-where-is-the-evidence/

Are medical cannabinoids (MC) effective for the treatment of pain?
Bottom Line: Evidence for inhaled marijuana for pain is too sparse and poor to provide good evidence-based guidance. Synthetic MC-derived products may modestly improve neuropathic pain for one in 11-14 users but perhaps not for other pain types. Additionally, longer and larger studies (better evidence) show no effect. Adverse events are plentiful.

The full document is available here.
Chronic pain: 39% experience pain reduction of >30% versus 30% with placebo, resulting in a number needed to treat (NNT)=11. Larger and longer RCT show no effects. The mean pain improvement is 0.5 on a 0-10 scale, which isn’t clinically meaningful.
Neuropathic pain: With inhaled MC, the NNT=6. With any MC, the NNT=14.
Cancer pain: In six randomized controlled trials, the pain reduction was not statistically significant.
HIV neuropathy: with smoked MC: NNT=4.
Pain from multiple sclerosis: Mean pain improvement over placebo was 0.8 on a 1-10 scale which was borderline insignificant.
Acute pain: One positive trial, one negative trial, and five trials showing MC is equivalent to placebo.
When compared to medication, MC was no better than amitriptyline (with more adverse events), or worse than dihydrocodeine with similar adverse events.
No overall differences shown in quality of life.
Little evidence for back pain, fibromyalgia, or osteoarthritis.
What are the harms associated with medical cannabinoid therapy?
Bottom Line: Compared to placebo, medical cannabinoids cause multiple different adverse events in patients, from visual disturbance or hypotension (1 in 3-10) to hallucination or paranoia (1 in 20). Stopping due to adverse effects occurs in 1 in every 8-20 patients. Regardless of the type of medical cannabinoid used, adverse events are common and likely underestimated. Given the extensive harms, potential benefits must be impressive to warrant a trial of therapy.

Up 1 Down 5

Doug Ryder on Oct 21, 2018 at 6:37 pm

@ Donovan and Woodcutter et al.,
I like to read through these forums because because I study cognitive illusions, delusions and biases. Essentially I study thinking errors. You have given me a lot to contemplate.

LOL - GenieScience as your source. Did you rub a lamp and wish that your assertion was true. Don’t cite secondary sources and expect to sound credible - LOL:
By the way the article you cited as evidence states:
“It is worth mentioning, studies have not yet been conducted on humans to determine the effectiveness of marijuana as a CAM treatment for cancer by itself.”
It would be better off if you cited primary sources with a RCT methodological design. Writing or saying something and providing support in the form of someone else writing and saying something is not evidence of anything but a shared belief.

I have no doubt that you are passionate and studied in your beliefs. I find that to be an admirable quality in an individual as it supports the idea that thinking errors can be reversed through the acceptance of factual knowledge, the evidence.

I look forward to further discussions with you on this subject. Perhaps time may reveal that there are some benefits to marijuana use. However, as the CMA and Yukon Health have indicated no support for any alleged benefits of marijuana while confirming the likelihood of adverse health consequences you have no evidence to advance beyond your personal beliefs...

Up 8 Down 3

Donovan McGlaughlin on Oct 20, 2018 at 3:24 pm

Oh Doug you went and made it personal. Your lack of original thinking is getting old. You told me to grow up, I advise you consider it, your attacks without facts are the stuff of 5 year olds. You asked for it so here it is, REAL links to the studies I refer to, not made up fairy tale facts like you spew all over the internet. .
https://www.geniescientific.com/u-s-government-cancer-research-project-discovers-marijuana-kills-cancer-cells/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30223868
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20859676
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21097714?dopt=Abstract
I could go on all day with the links to accredited studies that disprove all of your propaganda. The ncbi is the official web site for the US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, and archives ALL research done in the US as well as accredited research from around the world . It is but one of the Published Academic study groups I use in my research.
Professor Raphael Mechoulam is the top researcher in the world in terms of Cannabis, he has been doing it since 1963 with the Israeli governments blessing. All of his studies are on line and easily translated. Oh I forgot the 100 years of prohibition has voided all of his research in your opinion. Your turn to show the "facts" as you see them.

Up 4 Down 11

Doug Ryder on Oct 19, 2018 at 7:44 pm

Stop making stuff up Donovan:

Cannabis for medical purposes:
Government regulation currently permits the use of cannabis for medical purposes. With the legalization of cannabis in October 2018, the federal government has committed to reviewing the medical marijuana system within the next five years.
The CMA supports this review. While the CMA recognizes that some individuals suffering from terminal illness or chronic disease may obtain relief with cannabis, the CMA remains concerned about the lack of clinical research, guidance and regulatory oversight for cannabis as a potential medical intervention.

Many physicians feel uncomfortable prescribing a substance that hasn’t undergone the same regulatory review processes required for all other prescription medicines. These processes are designed to protect patients and to provide critical information to prescribing physicians, such as clinical indications, dosages, and potential interactions with other medications. This information is currently limited for cannabis.

Up 7 Down 9

Doug Ryder on Oct 19, 2018 at 7:18 pm

@ Woodcutter and Donovan - It is awesome to watch irony in action. The Woodcutter who is so overly emotionally invested in his substance use it prevents him from engaging in self-reflection. The dissonance so terribly painful that he lashes out projecting his own negative emotionality onto others. Of course you’re going to smoke a joint and have a beer. Reality is too painful for you. You are likely a psychologically fragile individual with self-indulgent tendencies. I bet you wear a wife-beater shirt too.

Donovan, Donovan... Making up now for the disappointment your parents felt as a result of your wasted potential. You have not indicated any factual information yet there you are prancing around like the pigeon who just Schmidt on a chess board because it was losing.

The information with regard to marijuana efficacy as ameliorating the effects of specific conditions that you have provided in support of your marijuana platform have all been debunked. The Canadian Medical Association does not support your position and neither does the Yukon Department of Health and Social Services.

Yes. You have been given the privilege of legally smoking weed. Now we can investigate its properties effectively and rigorously with science rather than belief systems. Yes, you have supporters in the stoners camp but they will believe pretty much anything favourable to their substance of choice... As you have... Good luck to you in the impaired driving wars!

Up 12 Down 4

Woodcutter on Oct 19, 2018 at 4:35 pm

@ Doug
You all get to cry, typing vigorously on the key board. I bet you're huffing and puffing and turning red in the face, wondering how we all got into your head rent free. It's because your emotionally attached like a zealot. Your type is predictable and easily taunted. You probably never admitted your wrong, maybe to yourself. I just came out of the liquor store now here's a substance that's destroyed people and families, but no crusade to correct coming from you.
Just waiting for my wife at Super Store and when she be done I am gonna go home and roll a fatty and crack a brew, feeling content and happy with life. How about you? Gonna stay home and punch the keys or try to be a happy camper?

Up 10 Down 1

Donovan McGlaughlin on Oct 19, 2018 at 3:51 pm

@Doug Ryder "If you are going to profess to educate people about something you feel you know something about it would be helpful to society if you understood the subject matter to which you speak."
ROFLMAO
That is the pot calling the kettle black. You spew false truths as fact and when someone calls you on it with the ACTUAL study by UofC, you deflect and called me delusional. I suggest a long hard look in the mirror here buddy. Your spew of nonsense is laughable at best. Yes I am a simple man and I use simple language because I have found it is better to explain in a manner that all can comprehend. But I was given the gift of knowledge and I use it to seek out truths not propaganda. Now, try backing your fruitless argument with actual facts and not the same tired propaganda.

Up 4 Down 10

Doug Ryder on Oct 19, 2018 at 3:37 pm

@ Donovan - You have yet to provide any facts and you have debunked nothing. If I “can see past my nose”. Terrific dude, not only do you provide misonformation but you engage in insult too.
@ PSG - Great comment Woodcutter - “make some of you good people” - Yes, great comment PSG because only good people smoke the herb? Perhaps you should be more aware of what you endorse because there are more good, hardworking taxpayers who do not smoke marijuana than who do.
@ Woodcutter - You have not provided debate - Only insult - A cigarette a beer and a Big Mac? Wow, blaze another dude cause Woodcutter is just plain rude.

To the three amigos: Donovan, PSG and Woodcutter...
I appreciate good honest and rigorous debate but have yet to see it on this issue. Donovan has presented a whole list of feel-good see what I want to see unrelated “factoids” to distract from the issue - Marijuana is a problem for pregnant and nursing women and their unborn children.
I often like what you have to post as well PSG but the reality on this issue is a lot less clear than the partakes of the herb would have you believe. Just to be clear - Good and bad [sic] smoke marijuana.
Woodcutter... man-o-man, really, with the insults? Just because you not agree with someones opinion that does not make them a conservative, cigarette smoking Big Mac eating beer drinking individual.
Anytime you think you have facts please present them so we can debate them rationally without the emotion. Woodcutter, there is a difference between smoking blunts and being blunted although the two may be related... On a case by case basis...

Up 4 Down 12

Doug Ryder on Oct 19, 2018 at 1:25 pm

Dear Deluded Donovan - The findings were related to THC and not cannibinoids. They are separate although related substances. Your submission is socially irresponsible and is just going to confuse the stoners. Unfortunately, your submission will reinforce drug abuse by providing apparent “factoids” for stoners to integrate into their self-styled narratives. Dude, it’s great man because like we are all just made up of marijuana particles anyway. Well done - It takes a certain kind of special to deliberately dumb-down society to serve your own agenda.

By your logic then it would be reasonable for individuals to consume opiates because the human body produces opioids anyway. Cannibinoids, opioids, humanoids. No wonder we are in this mess. We have people like you in these High Times proclaiming their ignorance as some truth. If you are going to profess to educate people about something you feel you know something about it would be helpful to society if you understood the subject matter to which you speak.

Up 10 Down 3

Donovan McGlaughlin on Oct 19, 2018 at 1:20 pm

@Doug Ryder Also when you tell me to grow up you should realize that you are speaking to a 65 year old man that has spent a long time researching the history and medical use of Cannabis and not some high school kid.
So go ahead and spew your propaganda and I'll gladly debunk as much as I can with facts.

Up 5 Down 3

Donovan McGlaughlin on Oct 19, 2018 at 1:15 pm

@Doug Ryder So your 100 years of prohibition propaganda trumps 3000 years of knowledge.....and the study was 300 as is the standard of UofC studies. It's right there in their research papers available on line. But you continue to deflect, it shows your closed mindedness to a PLANT and medicine that has lasted ages. Your 100 years of prohibition has "proven" the Doctors and Researchers (outside of North America) wrong in your opinion. But it is just that, an opinion, that happens to be based on fiction not fact.

Up 4 Down 4

ProScience Greenie on Oct 19, 2018 at 1:13 pm

Doug, not only are you now in full reefer madness mode, you're starting to insult good solid hardworking taxpaying Yukoners that express their opinion and thoughts at this fine organ and that's not good and says more about you than it does them.

I actually give you more thumbs up than you might think because I do agree with some of the things you post but on this subject you may want to back off, do some research, talk to others (especially fiscal-con and small 'L' libertarian types) and reevaluate things.

Up 9 Down 3

Woodcutter on Oct 19, 2018 at 12:33 pm

@ Doug Ryder
You're now resorting to insults. Let's just say your correct about the connection of cognitive impairment from prolonged use, then it would mean a continuous decline in awareness.
What's your excuse then, just natural born obtuse? Provincial upbringing?
Get on board, even Mulroney, one of your conservative hero's is calling it a social advancement, as he takes a board position on a use based marijuana company.

Face it, I could out debate you with 3 blunts in the system, just like I am doing now.

Up 4 Down 13

Doug Ryder on Oct 18, 2018 at 7:47 pm

@ Donovan - The number was 400. Nice try. Also a solid attempt with the pretense of educational information.
Obviously, the cognitive impairments associated with marijuana use have an obsessional or compulsive affect as well. I am sorry for your loss.

This is the same high school graduate rationalization around drug use that has been circulating for decades. Grow-op!
Marijuana has an endless list of side-effects and unintended consequences that will plague society for years to come.
Reminds me of a line from a movie: It’s a trap...
Welcome to the Idiocracy...

Up 4 Down 11

Doug Ryder on Oct 18, 2018 at 5:57 pm

@ Woodcutter - It is obvious from your postings that marijuana use is associated with cognitive impairments.

Up 17 Down 9

woodcutter on Oct 18, 2018 at 3:35 pm

@ Doug Rydet

I am a male, so I am not too worried about my unborn fetus passing a drug test.

Your make up story is there to strike fears in the those who are stuck in the previous century. If you were really worried about unborn fetuses you would have been campaigning against booze and what it does to our health, or perhaps against sugar for the way it creates diabetes or Macdonalds for it probably has contributed to the early death of folks, and the burden it places on our medical system, or tobacco, that kills one in three users. But no, let's single out pot, because you probably enjoy a cigarette and a beer after your big Mack and fries.

Get a grip dude

Up 20 Down 4

Donovan McGlaughlin on Oct 18, 2018 at 3:25 pm

@Doug Rydet
Nice ploy on the data,but you are only using part of the study.....it wasn't 400 it was 300 AND of those only 10 advised a tincture with THC. The others advised CBD oil. To Help educate you, CBD found in Cannabis sativa is almost identical genetically to the endocannabinoid system found in every living creature but insects. "That's right we produce CBD naturally in our body"
THC however is the psychoactive compound found in Cannabis, this again has been shown to have medical benefits, but for other symptoms.
Hemp as it has been known as for the last 3000 years was used widely as a medicine before Randolph Hearst obtained the timber rights covering 5 states. Hemp was added in to the legislation at the last minute due to a large campaign by Hearst and other timber/cotton barons.
It was what drove the Roman Empire. Their cloth and ropes where the best ever seen. Washington and Lincoln both are on record as being partakers of hemp. Washington grew fields of it for paper and medicine. Queen Victoria was treated for headaches with CBD oil prescribed by her Doctor.
Medical proof...look at what the Israelis have been researching since 1963. The US Government had no less than 3 studies done that debunked their ideas about cannabis causing cancer. They were kept hidden until 1989 when someone obtained the studies from the Library of Congress. They not only proved that cannabis did not cause cancer but the compound CBD killed cancer.
It is prescribed in Norway (with remarkable results) for people with Parkinson disease to help calm and alleviate tremors. The myth about destroying brain cells... busted by the Israelis. They found a significant increase in cognitive thinking and memory retention among Alzheimer's and dementia patents.
Canada is poised to become THE leader in medical cannabis research over the next decade. The possibilities for this plant are endless..... if you can see past your nose that is.

Up 12 Down 8

woodcutter on Oct 18, 2018 at 2:25 pm

@ Doug Ryder
Aww snow flake, look who's talking about being set in a narrative that fits a preconceived and strongly held belief. You wouldn't need to consume edibles or smoke one, all you'd have to do is look in the mirror.

To use negative health effects as the only platform to keep something illegal, you would have to then shut down almost everything we as people consume, be it sugar to booze. I have known many people who never smoked anything and ate crap, and in some cases I've already outlived them.

Reality and politics are intertwined, and for many folks who are in the "base" of political groups are those who are the most gullible. The anti-pot folks usually are the same as those denying climate change, evaluation, and same sex marriage. In short, they be stuck in the past century.

Politicians do it all the time. speculate and deliver talking points and sound bite's for the sheep to eat up. In this case, your following the role of a question and obviously loaded response to appeal to the folks stuck in the 20th century that are expecting a certain answer. The liberal government both federally and territorially have clowned this up royally and made a small issue into a fur ball all to respond to neo-conservative, obviously uninformed with little to no first hand experience of the product being used. Prohibition of pot was established as a way to oppress minorities, it had nothing to do with public health. Reefer madness must-have hooked you in when you were a little nose picker at the Saturday afternoon movie theater.

If this politician was actually smart, I would think he would have used the Donald's line..."I don't know, we will see in a few weeks", however he too seems stuck in the vortex of telling people what they are expecting to hear. Also keep in mind, that due to the 90 some odd years of oppression, there is no knowledge of what the consumption level is, I think his estimates are very low, I would think that, from my observation which are not anywhere statically sound, is that there is a consumption of 800 to 1000 kg a month, not a year.

Again quoting the Donald "...A promise made and a promise kept..", Now how can even the most die hard, go down in flames neo-conservative can fault our current Prime Minster for that?

Between me and my brother I am sure we chew through I kg a year ourselves.
It makes me think of a line in the movie platoon..."free the mind and the ass will follow."

Up 12 Down 17

Ilove Parks on Oct 18, 2018 at 12:06 pm

@Doug Rydet
Thank you for your comments and I totally agree. The info you provided suggests that pot may affect unborn babies in a life changing manner similar to FAS.

Many chronic adult pot smokers appear unhealthy because they are suffering from long term effects of this drug.
Sure people wanted it legalized and some exposure may not be overly harmful, but there is dogma about healthy effects and many people will have life altering health issues from chronic use of this drug.

These people think it's wonderful and it's nice to feel that high but when you step back it's a high from a drug which can be very potent.

Up 8 Down 16

Doug Rydet on Oct 17, 2018 at 6:35 pm

Okay Streicker, Patti Eyre and Woodcutter:

A whole lot more newborns are poised to fail drug tests
Cannabis is a powerful narcotic; that’s mainly why it’s so popular. And obstetricians are generally in agreement that powerful narcotics are bad for developing fetuses. Despite this, after Colorado legalized pot in 2014, hospitals across the state were reporting a rise in cannabis consumption among pregnant and nursing mothers.
At one particular hospital, roughly half of all newborn babies already had enough THC in their systems to fail a drug test. One possible reason? Marijuana vendors were literally recommending their product to pregnant women. In a study published earlier this year, researchers called 400 Colorado pot stores pretending to be a pregnant woman with morning sickness. The correct answer is “consult your doctor,” but an incredible 70 per cent of the stores instead recommended treating the nausea with cannabis. Canadian pot stores will be a bit more tightly regulated. Nevertheless, Canada already has a constituency of cannabis-consuming pregnant women that could grow under legalization. “I am not hurting my babies. I am helping my babies,” one of them told CTV in 2016.

Get ready for lots of stoned dogs and children
Only two years after Colorado’s legalization of cannabis, one children’s hospital reported seeing twice as many toddlers admitted while in the throes of extreme marijuana exposure, according to one study. It’s basically impossible to fatally overdose on cannabis, but it’s still not pretty: Emergency room doctors were treating kids suffering from respiratory problems, seizures, muscle spasms and vomiting — with the average hospital stay lasting 11 hours. Veterinarians working in “legal” states have seen a similar phenomenon. In a January letter to Health Canada, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association said its American counterparts had seen a “significant rise in reports of ingestion and toxicity in animals, particularly dogs.”

Up 7 Down 14

Doug Ryder on Oct 17, 2018 at 6:05 pm

@ Woodcutter - What does reality have to do with your politics?
I have met a lot of chronic blunters who share your perspectives. Unable to see past the limits of their own experiences. That is their choice.

However, if Streicker did say that usage would not increase after legalization then he is engaging in political speculation and not fact.
It is interesting how the biased mind wants to portray those who engage in realism as succumbing to some sort of reefer madness. You are arguing extremes and you are bloviating [see Patti Eyre].

You appear to be committing to confirmation bias. Not sure if it’s the marijuana or the smoke but you might want to consider edibles and let me know if your mind clears a little.

Up 6 Down 14

Doug Ryder on Oct 17, 2018 at 5:44 pm

In response to Patti Eyre - You should re-examine the word bloviate. I would encourage you to point to a fact that Streicker has made reference to in the article.
He engages in a lot of speculation without substance, as do you. Your personal experiences have no real world application. As you have indicated that you used marijuana until middle age your memory for most of your life is distorted and therefore suspect.
Personal accounts are inherently flawed. When formed in altered states of mind - even more so [that is fact].

Up 21 Down 7

Patti Eyre on Oct 17, 2018 at 2:46 pm

Weed has been in this territory for a long, long time now, and lately it's been extremely easy to procure. I know from experience there are so many people who take a dim view of dope but you know just because it's legal doesn't mean it's going to encourage people who didn't smoke up in the past to blaze it now. I smoked when I was young, stopped toward middle age, and have no compunction to renew my ways, even if it's legal. I'm sure there are many who will never start and many like me.
Doug Ryder is merely bloviating and casting aspersions, all of which is based on opinion, hearsay and fear. It is not based in fact. What the Minister is saying is based in fact. Thomas Brewer please, please educate yourself before embarrassing yourself.

Up 21 Down 4

Groucho d'North on Oct 17, 2018 at 1:54 pm

Woodcutter, I agree with your comments however I believe you are misguided to separate how people may view using weed based on their political alignment. People of all political stripes have a variety of values on inebriation, be it from booze or the now legal herb.

Up 18 Down 14

ProScience Greenie on Oct 17, 2018 at 1:41 pm

Awesome comment woodcutter. Right on.

Up 35 Down 19

woodcutter on Oct 17, 2018 at 10:25 am

lol...all you neo conservatives make me laugh at your total ignorance of the issue and fear mongering about this topic.

Now it's legal, and suddenly all you straight arrows are gonna become pot heads? I doubt it. There will be little to no change, if you haven't smoked pot before legalization your not suddenly going to become frequent users even though frequent use might actually make some of you good people.

I can see all of you sitting in a circle feeding each others fears and trying to outdo each other with an ever increasing outrageous comments about the dangers and demise of our children, our families and communities.


The fact is, that about 33% of folks partake and have been for decades, there will not be a sudden spike in usage or folks driving while under the influence. If a person drives under the influence, they probably have done it before legalization.

You should all try it, perhaps you'll like it.

Up 19 Down 10

Doug Ryder on Oct 16, 2018 at 10:34 pm

@ Thomas Brewer - You are correct. It is an incredible statement to make. It is deceptive and dishonest.

Streicker is only playing his role in the political game so we can hope that the dishonesty is professional rather than personal.

Up 19 Down 12

Jack on Oct 16, 2018 at 9:01 pm

Whaaaat the!!! John must be getting and using all the samples. There will be smokefests in the streets! Trudeau will be hailed a hero! Naw, only kidding, but usage will increase astronomically. Know of a few seniors ready to use it for pain management.

Up 17 Down 2

Groucho d'North on Oct 16, 2018 at 6:24 pm

We may be a small jurisdiction, but we are passionate consumers. Mr. Karp could confirm, but I recall hearing that the Whitehorse MacDonalds store was number one in sales nationwide for a period of time after it opened.

Up 17 Down 20

Tijinder Adar on Oct 16, 2018 at 5:03 pm

I'm by no means a rocket scientist but to infer that Marijane usage will not rise after legalization is a statement beyond dumb. This new bill is targeting kids who will aspire to be weed whackers in kindergarten.

Up 31 Down 13

Thomas Brewer on Oct 16, 2018 at 4:38 pm

WUT?! How can the Minister say with a straight face, that legalized, normalized, accessible pot isn't going to increase usage? It ain't going to go down that's for sure... oh the spin our overlords weave....

Up 25 Down 8

Ilove Parks on Oct 16, 2018 at 3:49 pm

We will have to see if Yukon is an exception with increased pot use after legalization.

I would like to see a mail out from Motor Vehicles about impairment after smoking pot. This is already a major concern here and people who smoke pot then drive need to know about the liability and the law as well as the risk they pose for the safety of other people.

Add your comments or reply via Twitter @whitehorsestar

In order to encourage thoughtful and responsible discussion, website comments will not be visible until a moderator approves them. Please add comments judiciously and refrain from maligning any individual or institution. Read about our user comment and privacy policies.

Your name and email address are required before your comment is posted. Otherwise, your comment will not be posted.