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Supreme Court Upholds Quebec Home-growing Ban – Cannabis | Weed | Marijuana

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The Supreme Court of Canada has upheld a home-growing ban in the French-speaking province of Quebec.

Federal law permits Canadians to grow up to four plants per household, but the Quebec government prohibits it.

Janick Murray-Hall challenged the ban in 2019. Quebec’s Superior Court ruled that, indeed, it was unconstitutional. But the Quebec government continued to appeal.

Last Friday, the Supreme Court of Canada disagreed with the Quebec Superior Court ruling and sided with the government.

Accordingly, legalization is about public health and safety, not your individual rights. Therefore, the Quebec government’s prohibition meshes well with the stated goals of federal legalization.

Details of Supreme Court Upholding Quebec Home-growing Ban

Supreme Court Quebec home-growing

On what justification would the Supreme Court uphold the Quebec home-growing ban? Simple: cannabis legalization has nothing to do with your rights.

The Supreme Court said we shouldn’t interpret the law permitting home cultivation as “a positive right to self-cultivation.”

The ruling reads:

It is true that, in everyday language and even in the speeches of some parliamentarians, the creation of exceptions or exemptions under a scheme of criminal offences is often described as a ‘legalization effort,’… However, this way of speaking is incorrect and falsely suggests that positive rights authorizing particular conduct have been granted to the public.

At least now, we have it in writing. Legalization is not about your right to bodily autonomy. It is a privilege that Parliament or the courts can take away should they deem it counter to the goals of “public health.”

Or, as the ruling reads:

The Quebec legislature saw the possession and personal cultivation of cannabis not as a social evil to be suppressed, but rather as a practice that should be prohibited in order to steer consumers to a controlled source of supply.

In other words: you’re too dumb to make decisions for yourself. The Quebec government doesn’t trust you to get high on your own supply.

Follow the Money

So it goes in a province that also bans certain edibles based on the value judgements of one man.

In reality, banning home-growing likely has more to do with money. Quebec has the Société québécoise du cannabis (SQDC), a government agency that has complete control of the cannabis market in Quebec.

While other provinces like Ontario or British Columbia will use government wholesales but permit private retail stores, in Quebec, everything is done through the SQDC.

It’s little wonder the Quebec government doesn’t want anyone home-growing and legally gifting their cannabis. It would cut into their monopolistic profiteering.

The Supreme Court is a Joke 

dispensaries

Canada’s Supreme Court upholding the Quebec home-growing ban is another example of this institution’s uselessness.

Upon hearing the ruling, the lawyer representing the appellant told the Canadian press, “There is certainly some disappointment, but it is the decision of the highest court, it’s a constitutional decision and we don’t have much choice but to rely on this.”

And while that’s what you’d expect to hear from a professional lawyer who likely doesn’t want to be disbarred – some of us don’t have to worry about offending Supreme Court justices.

In fact, it’s about time this sacred institution faced some scrutiny. 

Judicial activism is a charge often lobbied at Canada’s Supreme Court. And for good reason. Whenever the Court uses its power to influence policy instead of interpreting the law, they engage in judicial activism.

And since adopting the Charter of Rights and Freedoms as the be-all, end-all of individual Canadian rights, our system has rewarded judicial activism. Meanwhile, the principle of parliamentary sovereignty, the foundation of Canada’s democracy, has been lost.

Even among conservatives and libertarians, people cling to the Charter as the source of our freedoms.

But in doing so, we permit an unelected elite council of nine to rule over 38 million people and make “expert” opinions regarding their rights.

Our One Remedy: The Notwithstanding Clause

Supreme Court Quebec home-growing

The Supreme Court of Canada upheld the home-growing ban in Quebec. The lawyer for the appellant said it’s a constitutional decision and “we don’t have much choice” but to accept it.

Except we don’t.

For one, Parliament itself can amend the Cannabis Act to clarify that home growing is a protected right of all Canadians.

But suppose the Supreme Court upends this legal framework enacted by a democratically elected legislature (as they’re fond of doing).

Suppose the Supreme Court makes a narrow, selective interpretation of the Charter that says: no matter what the House of Commons votes for, the Quebec government has a right to ban home-growing.

In that case, Parliament still has the notwithstanding clause. 

At least, for now. Lately, there’s been concerted efforts by the far-left to eliminate this democratic remedy to Supreme Court absolutism.

And with today’s “I Support the Current Thing” social cult, the campaign to remove the Notwithstanding Clause may get some traction. 

Especially when it’s conservative parties using it to undo leftist damage.

The Supreme Court Quebec Home-growing Ban Typical of Past Decisions

The Supreme Court siding with Quebec for their home-growing ban is typical of past decisions made by this body. 

Look no further than Dr. Brian Day’s Cambie Surgery Centre. For 14 years, he’s been engaged in legal battles over his for-profit surgery clinic.

Last week, the Supreme Court declined to hear his case that they should have private health services read into the Charter‘s Section 7 right to life, liberty, and security of the person.

But the Court said no. If the Soviet health care system has left you suffering, even dying, Canada is a country where you have a right to end your life but no right to pay for the services that can heal you.

The Supreme Court isn’t a nonpartisan, “neutral,” transparent decision-maker. It’s an unelected council of ideologically-possessed individuals.

And I mean that in a positive way.

The Myth of the Legal Objectivity

Supreme Court Quebec home-growing

After all, as legal scholar John Hasnas has pointed out, “The stability of the law derives not from any feature of the law itself, but from the overwhelming uniformity of ideological background among those empowered to make legal decisions.”

For centuries, that uniform ideology was the Greco-Roman, Germanic, and Judeo-Christian worldview. Especially the parts that recognize and celebrate the individual and the power of forgiveness and redemption. 

Now? It’s far-left theories that use mob mentality to achieve their anti-liberal goals. 

It’s about the benevolent state and belief in the power of governments to displace or even outperform civic institutions and free markets.

Or, even worse, the belief that state and society are one of the same. So one comes to think of oneself as part of the “government.” 

Where decisions that are clearly about money and power become about “public health and safety.”

Where the Supreme Court upholds a home-growing ban in Quebec but permits private health care. Unless you’re an English-speaking Canadian. Then you can’t get private health care but feel free to grow up to four plants per household.

It’s true: Canada is broken. 





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How Cannabis Can Help With Dysmenorrhea

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Millions suffer, but relief could be here thanks to science and a simple plant.  Here is how cannabis can help with dysmenorrhea.

It is an uncomfortable topic to discuss, but the painful truth is a majority of women will suffer it at some point and finding relief is invaluable. Around 80% of women experience period pain at some stage in their lifetime. Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for pain or discomfort during menstruation. It is a common gynecologic problem, but the pain can range from dull cramps to indescribable agony. Here is how cannabis can help with dysmenorrhea.

Medicinal cannabis has emerged as a potential treatment option for dysmenorrhea, offering hope for the tens of millions of women who suffer from menstrual pain. Current medical management options primarily consisting of over-the-counter pain relievers and hormonal contraceptives. The effectiveness of these treatments vary greatly.

The endocannabinoid system plays a role in uterine function and pain perception. Cannabinoid receptors CB1R and CB2R, as well as TRPV receptors, have been identified in human myometrial tissue. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), a primary component of cannabis, can act as a cannabinoid agonist, potentially triggering myometrial relaxation and easing menstrual pain.

Photo by Esther Kelleter/Getty

The potential benefits of cannabis for dysmenorrhea includes pain relief, improved sleep quality, and reduced reliance on pharmaceutical pain relievers. While research specifically on cannabis for dysmenorrhea is growing, studies on chronic pain provide some insights:

  • A systematic review of 18 randomized controlled trials found that synthetic cannabis products with high THC-to-CBD ratios may offer moderate improvement in pain severity.
  • A meta-analysis of 32 trials showed that medical cannabis or cannabinoids resulted in small to very small improvements in pain relief, physical functioning, and sleep quality among chronic pain patients.

There is significant interest in using cannabis for gynecologic pain management:

  • A survey found that 61.2% of women who had never used cannabis and 90.0% of those who had were willing to try it for gynecologic pain.
  • After cannabis legalization in Canada, current cannabis use increased from 13.3% to 21.5% among women with self-reported moderate-to-severe pelvic pain.

With th American Medical Association, American College of Physicians and even AARP recognizing the medical benefits of cannabis, it is critical more research is funded.  Millions of women may be in pain needlessly due to untreated dysmenorrhea.



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Staying Trim During The Holidays With Marijuana THCV

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The holidays are fun and full of family, activities, and food.  But does marijuana have a natural  secret weapon to help you at least not gain weight this season?

The holidays are here – turkeys, pie, and family favorites. Along with Christmas cookies, holiday cocktails, everything adds up and starts to make a difference in how clothes fit. On average, people gain between 1-2 pounds in November and December. Some studies suggest people gain more, with an average of 2–5 pounds. But is marijuana’s THCV your natural holiday weight loss plan. While Ozempic has been the wonder drug of weight loss, cannabis a natural plant used for thousands of years in medicine. Why not use to look good also? Here is some information and also advice on how much to take and how it works.

The most famous cannabinoids are THC or CBD. Legal to over 50% of the country and used by millions across the country.  While they are the most commonly used cannabinoids, the cannabis plant contains many other medically beneficial cannabinoids including THCV. Although THCV (Tetrahydrocannabivarin) is similar to THC, it contains its own unique benefits.

Research points to THCV’s ability to block the body’s rewarding sensations while eating different foods. If you’re looking to keep your food cravings at bay or prevent the munchies, check out strains high in THCV, which will suppress your appetite, especially during the holidays.

Photo by Olga Tsareva/Getty Images

It has also been found that THCV in its purest form can calm the unreasonable urge to overeat while also reducing hunger cravings. Thus, consumption of THCV can be beneficial for those who struggle with weight gain and/or food craving. Since THCV can help curb one’s appetite, researchers believe there’s a potential for THCV helping people fight obesity and other related health issues.

It is important to manage the dosage. Start with a low dose of 5-7.5mg of THCV for appetite suppression effects. Options for taking THCV include gummies, tinctures, vapes, or THCV-rich cannabis strains Take THCV in the morning to help with focus and energy. Start on teh weekend so you can make sure it works in a way which is comfortable. Consume it with food to increase absorption.

Gummies and tincture/oils are the easiest ways to consume to manage the dosage. Start with half a gummy or 1 full gummy (typically 10mg) and adjust based on your response. You can increase to 2 gummies per day if needed. For tinctures, start with half a dropper or less and adjust as needed. Take THCV about an hour before you normally start feeling hungry

RELATED: Which Is More Effective For Marijuana Patients, THC Or CBD?

THCV should be part of a healthy routine including exercise and proper rest. Research on cannabis continues, to using THCV is not a long term solution, consider it for the holidays. As usual, take to your health professional to make sure it doesn’t interact poorly with any prescribed medications.  Start low and grow so you can pay attention how your body and mind reacts.



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Science Says Cannabis Can Be Making Us Healthier

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As it it becomes available to more people, there is a positive health change going on according to data.

Cannabis is becoming more mainstream and and the side effects are doing even better than expected.  It seems the availability of legal marijuana is helping with the health of the general population. Studies in California, Canada and the now New Zealand have shown the upside of legalization. While cannabis has been used for health benefits for millions of years, reduction in more harmful intoxication products is another important wellness trend.

RELATED: Can CBD Oils Help With Anxiety & Depression

Alcohol consumption is associated with significant health risks, including liver damage, cardiovascular issues, and certain cancers. In contrast, marijuana has not been linked to the same level of severe physical health consequences. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 36,000 annual U.S. deaths are attributed to chronic alcohol use, while there is no comparable category for marijuana-related deaths. Alcohol is also much more addictive than marijuana, causing long term physical and mental issues.

A study from New Zealand has found some interesting trends regarding the relationship between marijuana legalization and the consumption of alcohol and opioids.

heart cannabis
Photo by megaflopp/Getty Images

Following the legalization of marijuana in New Zealand, researchers observed a notable decline in alcohol consumption:

This suggests for adults, marijuana may be serving as a substitute for alcohol in some cases, particularly when it comes to heavy drinking episodes.

The relationship between marijuana legalization and opioid use appears more complex:

  • There was no clear evidence of marijuana legalization directly reducing opioid use or abuse.
  • However, some research indicates that people who use cannabis are more likely to initiate opioid use, with an odds ratio of 2.76 compared to non-cannabis users.
  • The likelihood of transitioning from opioid use to opioid use disorders among cannabis users was found to be 2.52 times higher than non-cannabis users.

The study also revealed some additional findings regarding substance use patterns:

  • Marijuana use increased by 16% among adults aged 21 and older following legalization.
  • There was a 5-6% increase in marijuana use initiation among adolescents and young adults aged 12-20. This would be go with the greater North American trend of California sober and Gen Z drifting away from alcohol and more into marijuana.
  • No significant changes were observed in the use of hard drugs like cocaine or heroin in any age group.

RELATED: Marijuana Use And Guy’s Member

These findings suggest while marijuana legalization may lead to decreased alcohol consumption among adults, it does not necessarily translate to reduced use of other substances, particularly opioids. The relationship between cannabis use and other substance use behaviors is complex and multifaceted. Time and more research should yield more benefits.



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