Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Illegal cannabis operations discussed at council LEAMINGTON — At a special meeting of Leamington Council on October 19, members of municipal administration, councillors and Mayor Hilda MacDonald met with representatives from the Ontario Provincial Police to discuss illegal cannabis operations in the municipality. Rachel Huggins, Deputy Director and Executive Lead on Cannabis Legislation for the OPP, told those in attendance that the OPP is currently working with Health Canada regarding medical cannabis licenses. She added that while Health Canada may not always come to the table, they are willing to listen and take small steps. The OPP are now able to gain information on revoked medical cannabis licences — a recent development. Councillor Tim Wilkinson expressed his concerns that Health Canada does not seem eager to get involved. “I’d like to see the federal government have a stronger presence on this matter,” he said. At the root of the discussion was the illegally set up cannabis farms that are growing cannabis under a medical license from Health Canada, known as Part II Cannabis operations. Some farms are using the medical prescriptions they’ve obtained to grow much more cannabis than they are allowed to for personal or medical
use. The trick is to weed them out, so to speak. One of the problems facing local greenhouse operators is that illegal cannabis operations are using migrant greenhouse workers who work at the legal greenhouse in the daytime and then moonlight for extra money at the illegal farms after hours. Local growers have expressed concerns that they have nobody to report this to. Huggins advised that she will reach out to Health Canada and Canada Border Services Agency on the matter. Penalties for illegally growing cannabis would have meant significant jail times prior to the pandemic, according to Staff Sergeant Michael Symons of the Provincial Joint Forces Cannabis Enforcement Team. Now, due to the pandemic, they would receive a conditional sentence and serve their time at home. Symons stated that Essex County, Niagara and Norfolk regions are the top three areas where the illegal grows are taking place. According to the information provided by OPP, 12 illegal grow ops have been visited by police and over 85 Cannabis Act charges have been laid in the community over the last few years.
Community Calendar
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10 MEMORY CAFE, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at Kingsville Community Centre, by Alzheimer Society. By reservation, contact Cindy Keo at 519-984-1907 for details. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16 CRAFTS WITH KAREN 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon at Kingsville Community Centre. Pre-regisration is required. Call 226-773-5830 for more info.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18 BRAIN INJURY COFFEE CHAT 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. at Kingsville Community Centre. For survivors of brain injury moderated by Client Services Coordinator Kelly Stack. Call 226-773-5830 for more info. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23 RIF PRESENTATION WITH SCOTT COLLIER 11:00 a.m. at Kingsville Community Centre. Learn about investing in our later years including converting RRSPs to RRIFs, estate and legacy planning, health, investing strategies for retirees and more. Call 226-773-5830 for more info. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25 BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC 10:00 a.m. 12 noon at Kingsville Community Centre. No appointment required. 226-773-5830 for more info. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25 BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC 10:00 a.m. 12 noon at Kingsville Community Centre. No appointment required. 226-773-5830 for more info. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9 CRAFTS WITH KAREN 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon at Kingsville Community Centre. Pre-regisration is required. Call 226-773-5830 for more info. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16 BLOOD PRESSURE CLINIC 10:00 a.m. - 12 noon at Kingsville Community Centre. No appointment required. 226-773-5830 for more info.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16 STROKE SURVIVORS SUPPORT GROUP 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. at Kingsville Community Centre. Lead by stroke survivor Romina Ciotoli. Pre-registration required, contact Romina at 519890-6289. ONGOING Wellness Together Canada offers FREE, 24/7 MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE SUPPORT WITH NO WAIT TIMES for Canadians of all ages, in every province and territory and in both official languages. Funded by the Government of Canada. More info at https://wellnesstogether.ca/en-CA. Phone counselling available 24/7 at 1-866-5850445. MIRACLE MOBILE MARKET - The Mobile Market is a weekly travelling fresh produce market that offers packages of fruits and veggies. The suggested donation is $5 ( all donations go back into purchasing local produce for the Market project.) Join us in Wheatley on Tuesdays from 12:30 - 1:00 pm at the Wheatley Arena. Visit www.mobilemarketck.com or www.facebook. com/mobilemarketck for the latest info. ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONE’S DRINKING? Al-Anon Family Groups meeting information: 519-790-7739 or www.alanonwindsoressex.com ERIE SHORES TOASTMASTERS Meeting online at 6:00 p.m. every other Wednesday. Develop your Communication and Leadership Skills in a positive, friendly environment. Meeting dates are November 10 and 24. Visit a meeting and see how you like it! For more info Email: ErieShoresTM@ yahoo.com Facebook: Erie Shores Toastmasters or go to ErieShores.toastmastersclubs.org and click on Contact Us. DONATE BLOOD - Leamington Blood Donor Clinic - at the Leamington Lebanese Club, 447 Hwy. 77 Leamington. 1:00 - 7:00 p.m. Book ahead. Book now. Visit: blood.ca or call 1-888236-6283.
To place your event in the Community Calendar Phone: 519-398-9098 Email: sun@southpointsun.ca or drop off at 194 Talbot St. E. Unit 5, Leamington
Southpoint Sun - 17
Remember them on Thursday Our Friday Night Fun Darts players have been invited to join the Kingsville Friday Night Fun Darts players. The leaders, with 5 wins, were Bonnie Evoy, Mic McConnell and Glen Brooker. Four teams won 4 games - Tracey Crabtree, Neil Handspiker and Richard Howe - Velma Hope, Jim McClellan and Andre Gouin - Sherry DeCaluwe, Larry Evoy and Matt Reid - Jean Teylouni, John Balkwill and Greg Wildey. Julie Reid and Scott Tanner won 3 games and, with 2 wins, were Sylvie McConnell and Doug Crawford - Lynn Crawford, Gord Crook and Lana Kappi. Richard Howe won the 50/50 draw. The Wheatley players are very grateful to the Kingsville players for inviting them to join them. You do not have to be a Legion member to play Fun Darts. The cost is only $2 per player and you must show proof of double vaccination. We held our first Meat Draws since August at the Talbot Trail Golf
WHEATLEY LEGION NEWS BRANCH 324
Jan Watson Course on Saturday. Jim and Cathy Bell ran the draws and the winners were June Epplett, Kay Shaw, Tricia Scratch, Matt Reid (3), Mike Elliott (2), Kim McNeelly, June Epplett and Bill Robinson. We thank the members of Talbot Trail Golf Course for the use of their facility for our meetings and Meat Draws. Remember those, many of whom paid the supreme sacrifice, at the Remembrance Day Service this Thursday November 11 at Two Creeks Conservation Area. Assemble at 10:45 a.m. for the service at 11 a.m. Following the service everyone is invited to the Talbot Trail Golf Course for coffee, tea and hot chocolate. The Branch will provide these, however, we won’t be able to
provide a luncheon as we have in the past. If you wish, the staff at the golf course will be happy to serve you from their menu.
PLAYING NOV 12-16
CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG (G) FRI 4:15 7:15 SAT & SUN 1:00 4:15 7:15 TUES 7:15
ETERNALS (PG)
Fri 3:45 7:00 Sat & Sun 12:30 3:45 7:00 Tues 7:00
SPENCER (PG)
Fri 4:00 7:30 Sat & Sun 1:15 4:00 7:30 Tues 7:30 84 TALBOT ST E LEAMINGTON 519.326.3849
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