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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, D ec em be r 27 ,2 01 8 | 6 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the news- paper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca newsroom@theifp.ca IndependentAndFreePress @IFP_11 WHO WE ARE Publisher Kelly Montague Regional General Manager Steve Foreman Regional Director of Media Holly Chriss Regional Managing Editor Catherine O'Hara Managing Editor Karen Miceli Distribution Representative Iouliana Polar Classified/Real Estate Kristie Pells Regional Production Manager Manuel Garcia Production Shelli Harrison Halton Media General Manager Vicki Dillane CONTACT US The Independent & Free Press 280 Guelph Street, Unit 77 Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1 Phone: 905-873-0301 Classifieds: 905-234-1016 Fax: 905-873-0398 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, con- dense or reject letters. Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail lpolar@miltoncana- dianchampion.com or call 905- 234-1019. OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT THEIFP.CA EDITORIAL Just as the Progressive Conservative government seemingly has been making up policies on the back of envelopes when it comes to health care, energy, trans- portation and finance, it comes as no surprise it is yet again changing the rules when it comes to legalizing pot sales. First, it was eliminating the previous Liberal gov- ernment's idea of creating a standalone entity called the Ontario Cannabis Store - modelled on the LCBO - to sell pot. Then it introduced the idea of allowing private retailers to establish stores, including the decision to reduce the buffer of 500 metres to 150 metres for potential stores near schools and daycares. Now as communities are in the midst of deciding whether to allow private pot stores within their bound- aries, the Ford government in an announcement at the proverbial last minute is limiting the private retailers to 25, with six identified within the Greater Toronto Area, to be selected by a lottery in January. Some municipalities have already opted out of al- lowing private cannabis stores within their borders, while others have decided they want in (including Mil- ton, for now), and some have yet to decide (including Oakville, Burlington, Halton Hills). Municipalities have until Jan. 22 to decide whether to opt out of the program. For those that opt in, municipalities will be incurring enforcement costs to make sure these shops follow the rules. And the police and health departments will have to address the corresponding social problems that are expected to come from selling pot. The province has committed to providing $40 million to municipalities over two years to help with the imple- mentation costs of recreational cannabis legalization. And if a municipality agrees to be a host city, it would receive additional funding. These are changing social times. Alcohol and pharmaceuticals are relatively acces- sible to the public with proper controls in place. Cannabis is now a legal, recreational item, that is grown and harvested and is projected to boost the local economy. With the proper controls in place, private can- nabis stores should have the same accommodation and be accessible to all adults. PROVINCE LEAVES CITIES WITH CANNABIS QUESTIONS Municipalities have until Jan. 22 to decide whether to opt out of the program. With the recent changes in cannabis legislation, veterinarians wonder whether there will be any impact on the frequency or severity of pets presented with marijuana toxicosis. Marijuana (also known as weed, pot, reefer, grass, dope, ganja, Mary Jane, herb, skunk, etc.) consists of the dried leaves and flow- ers of the hemp plant (Can- nabis sativa, C. indica). There are a number of dis- tinct compounds in canna- bis, but the primary psy- choactive component is known as THC. THC can also be incor- porated in a variety of edi- ble products such as cook- ies, brownies, candies (e.g. gummy bears), cereals and beef jerky. THC is also used in a variety of human medica- ments. Most owners would agree that the pre- ceding list of items con- tains a number of things that - given the chance - their pets would willingly sample. Marijuana intoxication in pets usually occurs after ingestion of the plant mate- rial, itself or marijuana ed- ibles. Occasionally smoke from cigarettes is blown di- rectly into a dog's face or nose. Mild intoxications may occur with inhalation of second-hand smoke. Pets accidentally gain- ing access to a source of marijuana in their home has been seen by veterinar- ians for a number of years. However, with more re- laxed usage of the product and because of wide varia- tions in potency of mari- juana plants, as well as in- consistent quality control of THC in edibles, there is concern about possible in- creased health risks for pets. Most commonly a mari- juana-intoxicated dog is presented to a veterinary clinic showing signs of de- pression and lethargy or somnolence, with a low- ered body temperature, a slow heart rate and drib- bling urine. However, clinical signs may also include vomiting, tremors, low blood pres- sure, disorientation, beha- viour disorders, hyper sali- vation and vocalization. In some U.S. states with legal- ized marijuana, there are anecdotal reports of more serious clinical signs, in- cluding death. It is suspected these signs may be the result of exposure to more potent forms of marijuana or their combination with other compounds. A pet with signs like those above should always be seen by a veterinarian. The rule to remember is always to keep cannabis- containing products out of reach of pets. Barry Burtis is a retired local companion animal veterinarian HOW WILL CANNABIS LEGALIZATION IMPACT YOUR PET? ANIMALS NOT IMMUNE TO SECOND-HAND SMOKE, WRITES BURTIS BARRY BURTIS Column SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT THEIFP.CA