cannabisnews.com: Marijuana Advocate Wants Seized Pot Passed Around Marijuana Advocate Wants Seized Pot Passed Around Posted by FoM on January 15, 2002 at 08:48:42 PT By Louise Dickson Source: Victoria Times Colonist Marijuana advocate Ted Smith wants Health Canada to give marijuana seized at his store to people who need it for medical purposes, but Victoria police are balking. Smith, co-ordinator of the Cannabis Buyers Clubs of Canada, appealed to the government Monday not to lay charges against him and two other employees after 3.2 kilograms of cannabis were seized at the store on Jan. 3. Smith said the government should start helping people and stop prosecuting those who are serving humanitarian purposes. "Health Canada, take the marijuana and do the right thing," said Smith. "Give it to sick people. Start helping people. Start being reasonable." But deputy police chief Geoff Varley said the marijuana seized at the store is now evidence which could be used at a future trial. "Even if there's no trial, I don't believe there is any way we could return the marijuana to an accused person. That would make us traffickers." Police went to Ted's Books at 826 Johnson St. after receiving a complaint that marijuana was on display. Smith wants Health Canada to use his case as an opportunity to begin working with cannabis clubs to supply marijuana to sick people. "Health Canada is taking half-steps to help people who need this medicine, so people like us are being forced to stick our necks out on behalf of those who need that medicine and risk arrest and harassment from many authorities," said Smith. Geoff Varley said charges under the Controlled Drug and Substance Act have been forwarded to the Crown for approval. Smith selling marijuana is like someone else hanging out a shingle to sell Ativan or Valium to the public, said Varley. "He's not licensed to sell it and the government is already in the process of doing that," said the deputy chief. In 1998, the government first allowed exemptions to drug laws on compassionate grounds. In August, Parliament passed a law to regularize the use of medicinal marijuana. The regulations apply to patients who have less than a year to live; those suffering from AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, severe arthritis or epilepsy or other conditions, if recommended by two specialists. A doctor must sign the application, which states the benefits of marijuana use outweighs the risks. The country's only authorized supply of marijuana is in an underground mine in Flin Flon, Man. A Saskatoon company, Prairie Plant Systems, is growing marijuana there for Health Canada. The company expects its first crop in February.Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)Author: Louise Dickson Published: January 15, 2002Copyright: 2002 Victoria Times Colonist Contact: letters times-colonist.comWebsite: http://www.canada.com/victoria/timescolonist/Related Canadian Press Article:Marijuana Advocate Urges Police To Donate Pot Seized from Him to Ottawa By Dirk Meissner A book store owner who openly sells marijuana for medicinal purposes says the large stash police seized from his business should be donated to Health Canada's underground marijuana mine in Flin Flon, Man. There's no sense wasting the three kilograms of high-grade B.C. pot and seeds and about 100 marijuana cookies when they can be used to help people in pain, Ted Smith said Monday. "This cannabis can be given to Health Canada and they can actually use the seeds in Flin Flon," he said in an interview "This is some of the highest grade marijuana for medical purposes in the world." Victoria police raided Ted's Books on Jan. 3 after investigating a complaint that one of Smith's customers was selling his medical marijuana on the street. Smith, 32, said he cut off the customer's marijuana supply, but that didn't stop the police investigation, which has yet to result in charges. Ted's Books, which doesn't have a licence to sell marijuana, has been in business since last April, Smith said. "We realize that we cannot get this marijuana back," he said. "But we also don't want to be charged and feel that this medicine should be given to people who are sick." Smith heads the Cannabis Buyers Clubs of Canada, a loosely knit organization selling marijuana to people with medical problems. There are about 18 similar clubs across Canada, he said. New federal regulations came into effect last summer that allow patients with chronic or terminal illnesses to apply to Health Canada for permission to use marijuana. The regulations apply to patients who have less than a year to live; those suffering from AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, severe arthritis or epilepsy or other conditions, if recommended by two specialists. A doctor must sign the application, which states the benefits of marijuana use outweighs the risks. Health Minister Allan Rock, who spearheaded the medical marijuana initiative, has said the Flin Flon mine will produce a safe supply source. Prairie Plant Systems was given a $5.7-million contract to grow the marijuana. But nobody has yet received any medical marijuana from Flin Flon, Smith said. "They have given hundreds of people these exemptions and they've not given out a gram," he said. "They haven't given out a seed. "Clubs like ours have been almost forced to fill this temporary gap and stick our neck out in public where criminals or the police could come and do things and we're not really protected by anyone, except the truth." Health Canada officials could not be reached for comment about their medical marijuana program. Police spokespeople were also unavailable. About 800 people buy medical marijuana from Ted's Books, Smith said. Customers, who pay up to $215 for 28 grams of marijuana, must provide documentation that confirms they suffer from some condition that could benefit from marijuana use, he said. The proof of diagnosis does not have to be signed by a doctor but it could come from an insurance company or disability agency, Smith said. "It is a risk that we've taken here providing these services," he said. "Technically, this is illegal. Until we're licensed, everyone in Canada is sort of making up their own rules." Source: Canadian Press Author: Dirk Meissner Published: Monday, January 14, 2002Copyright: 2002 The Canadian Press Related Articles & Web Site:FTE's Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmPot Advocates Diss Official Gov't Weedhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11740.shtmlMedicinal-Pot Users Fuming Over Delays http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11623.shtmlOf Cannabis and Compassion http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10989.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #1 posted by FoM on January 15, 2002 at 10:07:55 PT Marijuana 101 At Selkirk Checked out the new calendar from Selkirk College? Did you read it very carefully? If not, you may have missed a very interesting course that seems quite appropriate for this neck of the Kootenays: Medical Marijuana 101. "Anyone who is considering applying for a section 56 exemption to use marijuana for medical purposes or any 'designated grower' who may consider growing for a medicinal patient should take time for this course." says the calendar. "Review the Medical Marijuana Access Regulations, which include a general introduction, a review of the eligibility criteria, and the filling out of forms, as well as establishing a prescription level and finding a supportive physician. Then look at supply options: growing at home outside/inside; equipment and support; security and the law." CN BC: Marijuana 101 At Selkirk http://mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n060/a06.html [ Post Comment ] Post Comment