cannabisnews.com: Znaimer, Mimran Talents Go To Pot

Znaimer, Mimran Talents Go To Pot

Posted by CN Staff on December 18, 2004 at 08:18:36 PT
By Graeme Smith and Michael Posner
Source: Globe and Mail

Winnipeg, Toronto -- When television mogul Moses Znaimer gave up his seat in the executive offices of CHUM Ltd. last year, he issued a cryptic statement saying his future might involve "trying my hand at something completely different."His latest venture fits the description. Mr. Znaimer and retailer Joseph Mimran have co-founded a research company to invent medicines made with marijuana.
Both men have already made careers packaging the latest trends into consumer products: Mr. Znaimer founded North America's first urban television station and Mr. Mimran started the fashion labels Alfred Sung and Club Monaco.Now their talents are going to pot. They incorporated a company called Cannasat Pharmaceuticals Inc. last January, with backing from Hill & Gertner Capital Corp. "Really, we'd been at it six to 12 months before that," Cannasat vice-president Andrew Williams said.The company's website contains only one sentence so far: "Cannasat Pharmaceuticals is a company that aims to develop, produce and market a variety of prescription medicines derived from the plant Cannabis sativa."Mr. Williams declined to describe the size of the effort, or who is conducting the research. But he said the venture is looking for new ways to process the leafy, intoxicating plant into pharmaceuticals, or new methods of taking the drug."We're an R and D company working in cannabinoid-based medicines," Mr. Williams said. "There's a whole new receptor system that's been discovered in the body over the last 10 years and there's drugs companies looking to develop drugs based on that."One promising idea involves vaporizing marijuana instead of smoking it, Mr. Williams said, because people who use marijuana legally to relieve medical symptoms might appreciate the option of inhaling a mist with fewer toxins than smoke."If people are going to choose to smoke marijuana for symptom relief, that's their choice," he said. "But there's a whole group of people out there who would prefer not to have to smoke it."Results aren't expected soon, Mr. Williams added. Large-scale clinical trials will be necessary before Health Canada approves such products."It's a long-term play for us. Like a traditional drug company, it's going to be five or 10 years of science work."This summer, Cannasat purchased a non-controlling minority stake in Saskatoon-based Prairie Plant Systems Inc.The privately owned biotech company has an exclusive $5.5-million contract with Health Canada to grow marijuana in an unused mineshaft at Flin Flon, Man. The federal department is distributing the pot to thousands of medical patients, to alleviate symptoms of illness.Brent Zettl, president of Prairie Plant, confirmed in an interview yesterday that Cannasat bought a small stake in his 15-year-old company and had been granted a seat on the board of directors."Moses sees the vision and the upside," Mr. Zettl said. "We've had profit in four consecutive years and are growing at about 25 per cent a year. We hope to go public in a year or three."Alan Young, an Osgoode Hall law professor and well-known lawyer for medical marijuana cases, said he is consulting for Cannasat and the company hopes to issue a formal announcement shortly.Mr. Zettl estimated that the market for plant-made pharmaceuticals will be worth $20-billion within 12 years. "There's a lot of players," he said, "but no one has yet hit the home run."Meanwhile, a study known as COMPASS (Cannabis for the management of pain assessment of safety study) plans to track 1,400 chronic pain patients, 350 of whom use cannabis provided by Prairie Plant Systems, as part of their pain management strategy, for a one-year period. Source: Globe and Mail (Canada) Author: Graeme Smith and Michael PosnerPublished: Saturday, December 18, 2004 - Page A14 Copyright: 2004 The Globe and Mail CompanyContact: letters globeandmail.caWebsite: http://www.globeandmail.com/Related Articles & Web Site:Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmFirst-Ever Safety Study of Medical Cannabis Use http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread19999.shtmlCannabis News -- Canada Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/Canada.shtml

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Comment #35 posted by ron on December 23, 2004 at 01:24:40 PT
How Mike South got out of jail.
The Terry Parker ruling in 2001 struck down Canadian laws against possession of cannabis.The Kreiger ruling in 2002 struck down Canada's laws against cultivation of cannabis, but crown and media conspired to keep Canadians in ignorance.In October 2003, the Hitzig ruling was falsely and wrongly interpreted by press, police and courts as reinstating the laws against cannabis.Only parliament can ressurrect dead laws.The proof is in the pudding. Everytime Krieger and Parker are cited in cannabis prosecutions the crown backs down.Mike South didn't even get to open his mouth in court. Once the prosecution realized what they had on their hands, they waived any objection to his appeal to get out of jail.And he had been sentenced for trafficking!Wardens will soon be beseiged by inmates wanting to play the same cards as Mike South. The defense played offense too. Mike also submitted a Notice of Motion to Cite David Frankel, the Crown Prosecutor who lost the Krieger case. Even though the law was dead, Frankel told police and prosecutors to carry on with business as usual.Because of him at least a hundred thousand people have been arrested under a non existent law.The Canadian media have been as silent or misleading about this issue as the American have been about 9/11.When the jails start emptying though, they might take notice.Read the full story of Mike's release here:http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MedPot-discuss/message/8423
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Comment #34 posted by FoM on December 20, 2004 at 19:46:54 PT
Ron
It sounds like the Judge is trying to be fair. That's good.
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Comment #33 posted by ron on December 20, 2004 at 19:34:17 PT
Mike South Sprung Update
Second message from Toronto:4.12.20 6:33pm We don't know all the details yet...but it sounds like the judge has set him free until a decision is made on his appeal in Feb....in the appeal John cited that the law is dead based on the Kreiger judge ruling & that there has been contempt on the part of Frankel, the crown in that case...If we win this one in Feb it could mean they have to open the jails & let everyone free
Hope Mike was telling everyone he met while he was in [jail]about the kits D & L More info will help us all understand.But whatever procedures sprung Mike, should be able to spring others right now.
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Comment #32 posted by FoM on December 20, 2004 at 18:33:45 PT
Ron
It sounds good to me too. I still don't understand though.
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Comment #31 posted by Hope on December 20, 2004 at 18:22:14 PT
That's good news, Ron!
Ole John's personality grates on my nerves, but you gotta admit, the guy can get some amazing things done.
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Comment #30 posted by ron on December 20, 2004 at 18:16:45 PT
Mike South Sprung!
All I've heard so far. More will follow, I'm sure.From Doug and Laurie Nielsen 4.12.20,20:36 :Just wanted to let everyone know that the Engineer's newest get out of jail kits work....Mike South was suposed to get 3 months house arrest, but was given 3 months in jail instead....John put in a motion, here it is...Mike is now out of jail & being heard in February...This is great news...don't you think? http://www.cannabisculture.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=1009669&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1
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Comment #29 posted by afterburner on December 20, 2004 at 05:17:31 PT
'Grow-Ops' Have Lesson to Teach the Canadian Govt.
CN ON: Editorial: Grow-Op Is Serious Crime
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n1810/a07.html?999Excerpt: {It has been suggested that the 'farmers' of the 'Molson' pot bust have become some sort of 'local heroes.' That's an obscene misuse of the term. Police will also tell you this is not only about marijuana. It's about crack and guns. The pot goes south, and the crack and guns come north, ending up in cities like Barrie. Suddenly, it doesn't seem so amusing. [This is a perfect argument for regulation and taxation. A legal cannabis business would not risk fines, jail, or going out-of-business by being involved with "crack and guns."]{Prime Minister Paul Martin has indicated he intends to pursue decriminalization for possession of small amounts of pot. We support this initiative. Police and court time is tied up busting and trying occasional pot smokers, when it could be diverted to tackling serious drug issues: crack cocaine, the increasing use of crystal meth, and grow-ops. [Any grow-op problems with illegal wiring, potential fires, and stolen hydro are a function of the prohibition of cultivation. The solution is to regulate and tax legal cannabis businesses and squeeze the criminal element out of the picture.]{There's very little connection to occasional smokers and large-scale grow-ops, which harvest products for export. It's big business, and there's nothing funny about it.}["Very little connection" of cannabis consumers and cannabis producers? This illogical piece of fiction is the major problem of the Canadian government's approach to the cannabis issue: decriminalization leaves supply in the hands of the criminal element and *encourages* the growth of "grow-ops." As the Canadian Senate Report so wisely recommended, regulate and tax!][*comments added*]
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Comment #28 posted by ron on December 19, 2004 at 20:01:33 PT
Thanks for elucidating afterburner
None of the following Canadian Supreme Court cases repudiated Terry Parker's Ontario Court of Appeal case that declared marijuana [sic] possession law to be unconstitutional. The so-called "trio" of cases attacked the law on different grounds. The CSC did not address the Terry Parker case; the Crown missed its chance to appeal.You nutshelled the argument. I especially liked your "sic" after "marijuana". Anslinger could have called it the "hemp tax act" or the "cannabis tax act", but he chose "marijuana", a loaded word at the time.It's as if the Volstead Act talked about "hootch" instead of alcohol. "The Supreme Court of Canada drove a legal stake into the heart of marijuana liberalization yesterday with a judgment affirming that possession is a criminal act..."The majority said Parliament had ample reason to fear the prospect of stoned drivers..." --Pot Still Illegal, Top Court Rules http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18044.shtmlOh, really? (afterburner)The Globe and Mail, one half of Canada's national newspaper competition, has consistently presstituted itself on this subject. Oh really? x 10
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Comment #27 posted by dr slider on December 19, 2004 at 18:26:24 PT:
dissent training
Mr. Drug Awareness seems to be blind to the fact that everybody and their 12 year old cousin seem to love being murdering cop killers in virtual reality. Of course that makes for cold blooded soldiers, so its O.K. Virtual killing? Sign 'em up! Virtual dissent? Of to the gulag with 'em!
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Comment #26 posted by FoM on December 19, 2004 at 18:23:09 PT
afterburner
I must not be very smart because I don't get it. It's almost like governments no matter what country don't have opinions on issues that concern citizens. They are shallow.
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Comment #25 posted by afterburner on December 19, 2004 at 18:10:49 PT
ron and FoM
"On Dec. 11 2000, Alberta Judge Acton in R. v. Krieger ruled: "[44] I am satisfied that s. 7(1) of the CDSA deprives Mr.Krieger and those who are similarly situated of their rights under s. 7 of the Charter to the extent that it prohibits these individuals from producing raw cannabis marihuana for their own therapeutic purposes. I am also convinced that such deprivation is not in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice... [55] I am prepared to agree with the Applicant that s. 7(1) of the CDSA should be struck down to the extent that it deals with production of cannabis marihuana."
www.albertacourts.ab.ca/jdb/1998-2003/qb/Criminal/2000/2000abqb1012.pdf"On Dec 04 2002 the Alberta Court of Appeal sustained the Acton repeal of prohibition in S.7 and Parliament has never since re-enacted any new prohibitions.""On Dec 23 2003, the Supreme Court denied the Crown's application for leave to appeal the striking down of the prohibitions. The fact the media, Crown and defence misrepresent a general striking down of prohibition as a personal victory for Krieger doesn't make it so."The Canadian Supreme Court (CSC) did *not* rule on cultivation AKA "production" of cannabis. None of the following Canadian Supreme Court cases repudiated Terry Parker's Ontario Court of Appeal case that declared marijuana [sic] possession law to be unconstitutional. The so-called "trio" of cases attacked the law on different grounds. The CSC did not address the Terry Parker case; the Crown missed its chance to appeal.Ironically, on the same date (Dec 23 2003) the Canadian Supreme Court ruled against Victor Eugene Caine that cannabis possession is illegal, and the court also ruled against two Appellants regarding trafficking, David Malmo-Levine and Christopher James Clay [Actual bulletin from SCC Comment #13 posted by escapegoat on December 17, 2003 Supreme Court to Rule on Pot Cases http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/17/thread17985.shtml#13 ]:"The Supreme Court of Canada drove a legal stake into the heart of marijuana liberalization yesterday with a judgment affirming that possession is a criminal act..."The majority said Parliament had ample reason to fear the prospect of stoned drivers..." --Pot Still Illegal, Top Court Rules http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18044.shtmlOh, really?INDEPENDENT DRUG MONITORING UNIT
Press Release [23-9-97] "Major new drug user survey estimates UK cannabis market to be worth a minimum Ł3.5 billion per year. "No evidence of increased road accident rate among cannabis users "Drug arrests do not appear to deter, and may even stimulate, drug use."

--What are Cannabis users like? http://www.ukcia.org/culture/users.phpSo why are the US and Canadian governments developing zero-tolerance "drugged-driving" laws, which are aimed primarily at the cannabis community? Why are these governments continuing to use an ineffective law-enforcement paradigm to control what they *consider* to be a problem with cannabis "users," (who, of course, are to the prohibitionists somehow different and more depraved than alcohol "users")? Has some new evidence emerged in the last seven years that disputes these UK findings? *****A Cannabis Chronology http://www.ukcia.org/culture/history/chrono.htmlWhat will happen to the UK cannabis movement with the departure of Home Secretary David Blunkett?*****More illogic:"One individual chooses to smoke marijuana," Mr. Justice Ian Binnie and Mr. Justice Charles Gonthier said. "Another has an obsessive interest in golf. A third is addicted to gambling. A society that extended constitutional protection to any and all such lifestyles would be ungovernable." --Pot Still Illegal, Top Court Rules http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18044.shtmlGolf is legal. Gambling is legal. Why shouldn't marijuana [sic] be legal? "Obsessive interest in golf," "addicted to gambling": are the Supreme Court Justices implying that all cannabis use is "obsessive" or "addiction"? If "obsessive interest" or "addiction" are the measuring stick, golf and gambling should be just as illegal as they think cannabis should be.
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Comment #24 posted by ron on December 19, 2004 at 17:46:28 PT
The RCMP don't like competition.
"I think it's probably based on a hot topic right now which is exploiting a lot of people's ignorance," said Cpl. Scott Rintoul, spokesman for the RCMP Drug Awareness Squad.
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Comment #23 posted by FoM on December 19, 2004 at 17:11:58 PT
News Article from Canada
Ex-"B.C. Bud" Grow Operator Teams Up with Gamer, Creates Game Showing Pitfalls of IndustryDecember 19, 2004 VANCOUVER (CP) - Forget Monopoly, forget Scrabble - the hot new Christmas gift in Canada this year is a board game that lets the player run their own "B.C. Bud" marijuana grow-operation.It's called The Grow-Op Game.Creators bill it as an educational board game that highlights the perils involved in the pot business and cautions would-be growers about the high stakes."You get ratted on by neighbours, hydro cuts you off, you get floods, there are tons of stuff that is negative about it," said Vancouver-based creator Ivan Solomon on Saturday."People would think that with grow-ops everyone would like to have one in their basement, that it's easy money. It's far from being easy."Solomon said the Monopoly-style game is the brainchild of a young, twenty-something reformed pot grow operator, known only as the "Rabbit," to conceal his identity.Rabbit and Solomon only brought the idea to fruition about four weeks ago but the game has caused a huge stir among consumers eager to play the pot game.But the Rabbit wanted to show would-be criminals grasping at fast cash is not all its cracked up to be.And who better to share the dire pitfalls of the "weed biz" than the Rabbit who spent some time in jail for the crime, where, incidentally, he also came up with the idea.During his time as a B.C. entrepreneur living his Field of Greens, the Rabbit experienced floods, fires, fungus, bugs, ceilings collapsing and, said Solomon, "that inevitable knock on the door from the authorities."Employees at The Amsterdam Cafe in the heart of Vancouver's historic Gastown were thrilled to receive the game because of endless requests for the holiday gift that gives the player the thrill-seekers' "high" without getting busted.An employee at the cafe, who declined to offer a name, said the phone has been ringing off the hook for the game."People are going crazy for it. It's so all of a sudden and I'm sure if we're able to get more we will."Players roll the dice, move around the board, renting properties, buying lights and equipment, plants, and finally harvesting crops from their grow ops.Moving in an opposite direction on the cylinder shaped board is the "GrowBuster." He lands on the unsuspecting player's property, rips out the grow operation, and sends the player directly to jail."Out of six players, one might get lucky," said Soloman.Sounds almost like real-life odds.But before any would-be growers get excited by the seemingly mellow stakes, Mounties warn the real-life roll of the dice comes with grave consequences."I think it's probably based on a hot topic right now which is exploiting a lot of people's ignorance," said Cpl. Scott Rintoul, spokesman for the RCMP Drug Awareness Squad.Rintoul said it's no secret how much money can be made in the marijuana industry in Canada.He's concerned, however, that the game does not illustrate how devastating the impact of the drug trade can be on the victims of organized crime."Do they make drunk driving games?"Are they including also about the murders and assaults?If you want to teach people then teach it that way, don't just pick on something that is the flavour of the month or whatever," he said."It's not a game." But Solomon is adamant the game was developed to teach all the trials and tribulations of getting involved in something so illegal."It doesn't promote the industry, said Solomon, "You can teach a lot with humour."And, according to the game developer, even some police officers have acknowledged it's all in fun."One of the police that obviously heard about this came up to buy one as their door-prize for their Christmas party," he said.The game is being marketed online by the Board Games Corp. and sold at a few alternative-type stores for $39.95. Solomon hopes however the game will take off and be mainstream by next Christmas.

Comment #22 posted by FoM on December 19, 2004 at 15:35:59 PT
Ron
There is no conviction in lawyers words. They make sure that they add words that can get them off the hook while leaving people believing there might be hope.They go I didn't say that. I said it could happen a certain way. No yes and no no. Drives me crazy!
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Comment #21 posted by ron on December 19, 2004 at 15:25:31 PT
It bends my brain too, FoM
I don't do well in law issues because I am not a lawyer and sure don't think like one.Legalese is the foreign language governments and corporates use to communicate and confuse. That's why Walters feels so confident. He's got an army of lawyers behind him.In Canada, native people continued to be ground up by the government until they became fluent speaking the lingo. Now the PTB are backing off.Perjury seems to be the mother tongue of the persecutors.
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Comment #20 posted by FoM on December 19, 2004 at 14:57:52 PT
ron
It never has made sense to me. I went back and found a few articles. I thought because they made medical cannabis available even though not in the best way or in what I would call good faith that that stopped everything. I guess this is one reason I don't get caught up in Canadian news because it depends on how it all is interrupted. Good Luck to you though on Monday. I don't do well in law issues because I am not a lawyer and sure don't think like one.Pot Still Illegal, Top Court Rules http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18044.shtmlDreams Go Up in Smoke for Marijuana Activists
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18043.shtmlCanada Supreme Court Upholds Marijuana Ban
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18036.shtmlSober End To Year of Pot Activism Highs
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread18034.shtml
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Comment #19 posted by ron on December 19, 2004 at 14:45:45 PT
I will, FoM
Here's a press release sent out to all Toronto media. I wonder how many of them will continue to supPress this shameful coverup?On Dec. 11 2000, Alberta Judge Acton in R. v. Krieger ruled:
"[44] I am satisfied that s. 7(1) of the CDSA deprives Mr.Krieger and those who are similarly situated of their rights under s. 7 of the Charter to the extent that it prohibits these individuals from producing raw cannabis marihuana for their own therapeutic purposes. I am also convinced that such deprivation is not in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice...
[55] I am prepared to agree with the Applicant that s. 7(1) of the CDSA should be struck down to the extent that it deals with production of cannabis marihuana. If s. 4 were before me I, like the Ontario Court of Appeal in R. v. Parker , supra , would strike down the prohibition against possession of marihuana because to do otherwise would be, to use Dr. Kalant's word, "inhumane" to Mr.Krieger under the circumstances."www.albertacourts.ab.ca/jdb/1998-2003/qb/Criminal/2000/2000abqb1012.pdfOn Dec 04 2002 the Alberta Court of Appeal sustained the Acton repeal of prohibition in S.7 and Parliament has never since re-enacted any new prohibitions.
App.2:http://www.albertacourts.ab.ca/jdb/1998-2003/ca/Criminal/2003/2003abca0085.pdfThe Calgary Herald and Sun reports misrepresented the striking down of S.7 and S.4 as a personal victory for Krieger. Calgary Herald's Daryl Slade wrote that "Krieger's lawyer, Adriano Iovinelli, said outside court it was an important decision that permits his client to continue to cultivate and use marijuana for his own use to alleviate chronic pain caused by multiple sclerosis. Iovinelli said, as it stands, it is status quo on Krieger's charter exemption. But he suggested that would not apply to the general public..On May 16 2003, the Crown's Memorandum to the Supreme Court of Canada in Krieger had Counsel S. David Frankel pleading for leave to appeal because "[57 as matters now stand s.7(1) has been declared of no force and effect by the highest court in Alberta." http://www.cyberclass.net/turmel/kriegcm.txt Repeating: "[57 AS MATTERS NOW STAND S.7(1) HAS BEEN DECLARED OF NO FORCE AND EFFECT BY THE HIGHEST COURT IN ALBERTA."On Dec 23 2003, the Supreme Court denied the Crown's application for leave to appeal the striking down of the prohibitions. The fact the media, Crown and defence misrepresent a general striking down of prohibition as a personal victory for Krieger doesn't make it so. The Attorney General for Canada has known about the prohibitions on marijuana having been repealed since the highest court in Alberta struck them down. On Monday Dec 20 2004, an application by Mike South for release pending appeal on the basis of the Krieger repeals will be heard at Osgoode Hall in Toronto at 10am. An application to have the Crown cited for contempt of court until all prisoners jailed under the invalid statute will also be sought.http://www.cannabisculture.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=1009053&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on December 18, 2004 at 16:52:40 PT
Ron
Good luck on Monday and please let us know how it goes.
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Comment #17 posted by ron on December 18, 2004 at 16:19:25 PT

I agree. Nonviolent consensual activities are not
police business. Violence and victimization are what the police should be there for.Some people would lose money. I hope it's all those who have made their living off this bogus persecution.The growers should do well in the future. They provided us with plenteous and ever more potent pot in spite of this persecution and they've become expert gardener's. We'll certainly need them when the corporate farms begin to collapse. I'm glad for my patch of land.Our Ministry of inJustice arrests us under shameful cannabis regulations at about the same rate as your Department of InJustice arrests you using similar tactics.Only they don't cage us at the same rate as your protectors do you. About a seventh as much, I think.Our Finest are having a helluva pr problem these days as stories of police abuse continue to appear, so the threatened politicians are trying to get to a "pay as you play" model going for users-fines, no felony record
and double penalties for the mom and pot growers to catch up to your gulagian rate.

The Fine option is similar to the one Chicago is proposing and Walters is not opposing.But we've had no law for a few years now. The unJustice Ministers know the laws have been struck down and have connived with the police to continue arresting people.Mike will challenge this on Monday morning at Osgoode Hall, using the as yet untried Parker and Kreiger rulings - two "aces" that could win a big pot. They'll be some big players in proximity and there is sure to be extensive internet coverage.It's be there or be square.
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Comment #16 posted by mayan on December 18, 2004 at 14:58:49 PT

"Home Run"
Mr. Zettl estimated that the market for plant-made pharmaceuticals will be worth $20-billion within 12 years. "There's a lot of players," he said, "but no one has yet hit the home run."The "home run" is the plant itself. To deny it to anyone is an "error". Unrelated...DEA Upholds Grower's Marijuana Monopoly:
http://www.counterpunch.org/gardner12182004.htmlPiss on the mainstream media blackout, we've got the internet...Ohio recount - Cuyahoga County ballots pre-sorted:
http://bellaciao.org/en/article.php3?id_article=4815Obstruction Found in Ohio Recount:
http://www.votecobb.org/Cobb details disenfranchisement tactics, says GOP donors concerned about voting machines:
http://www.bluelemur.com/index.php?p=503
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Comment #15 posted by FoM on December 18, 2004 at 13:59:26 PT

Ron
I don't think I recognize the name but that doesn't surprise me. Trying to follow who is doing what is hard enough for me to figure out down here in the states. Cannabis is a big threat to politicians. That's why individual cases aren't written about much I think. Think about it. What would happen if Cannabis was legalized? My mind can think of so many people that would lose money. It would be very inexpensive like other medicinal herbs. The police would have to focus on serious crimes and serious crimes can be dangerous. Chasing mild mannered Cannabis people is a safe job. They need to fill those jails. How could they keep them full without Cannabis being a criminal offense? These are just a few thoughts why we are fought so hard in the states. I don't know about Canada though.
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Comment #14 posted by ron on December 18, 2004 at 13:40:55 PT

Maybe sooner than you think, FoM
Mike South will be filing for a release from jail pending appeal of the non existence of a law against possession (s4.1 - Parker 2001) and cultivation (s4.7 - Kreiger 2002).The judge will be asked to cite for contempt, the Ministry of Justice Attorneys and their Attorney General. These people knew there was no longer any law against cannabis last December. Yet 100,000 people, like Mike South, have been unfairly charged for breaking a non existent law.If Mike's appeal is granted the question of why the media has stood silent about this shameful coverup will have to be answered.His court appearance at Osgoode Hall in Toronto on Monday morning should be spot city for bloggers, presstitutes and - dare we hope - presstivisionnaries themselves. I want to see it live on CBC or CPAC Monday morning. I'm a realist though. There's some kind of collewding going
on between the inJustice system and the mediaocrities to cover up the fact that there is now no law concerning Cannabia yet they're still arresting 150 people a day!!

People interested in following this drama should check out this Cannabis Culture thread:http://www.cannabisculture.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=current&Number=1008625&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=9
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on December 18, 2004 at 13:08:39 PT

Marc
It's ok that you don't understand how I look at this. Like I said I am not a Canadian so I don't understand this or why people get upset about it. We are fighting down here to change the laws. I don't look much further then getting the laws changed.
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Comment #12 posted by Marc Paquette on December 18, 2004 at 13:04:01 PT:

Yes, many could die, and Yes, cannabis saves lives
Dear FoM;I don't think your'e right about this one.If someone with Aids or chronic Hep C don't have appetite, can't eat and vomit all the time, he or she will get weak, the immune system would suffer the consequences and death could come quickly.If an epileptic is deprived from medical cannabis, he or she could die by the next seizure...as an average of 4,000 epileptics die from seizures in Canada every year.That was for the physical aspects.And what about the psychological aspects?My medical marijuana exemption is also to treat my chronic anxiety and severe depression.If I would be supplied a fake medicine, my extreme physical pain from my physical diseases could provoke suicidal ideation.I knew many people and had friends that were severely ill and suffered so much that pharmaceuticals couldn't help anymore...many of them ended their days by overdosing on pills and booze :(I don't want to be part of that list.Peace,Marc
http://www.medpot.net/forums
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Comment #11 posted by FoM on December 18, 2004 at 12:37:33 PT

One More Comment
If a person believes they can't live without Cannabis then they shouldn't consider getting into the study. That makes sense. I know that people with MS or Cancer couldn't take the chance and will get Cannabis no matter what and that is totally understood by me.
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on December 18, 2004 at 12:22:02 PT

Marc
Cannabis and Insulin are very different. A person won't die if they don't have Cannabis but they can die if they don't get Insulin and need it.
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Comment #9 posted by Marc Paquette on December 18, 2004 at 12:18:17 PT:

An uncertain direction
Hi FoM :)I'm not sure if we can call this study a new direction if the patients that will apply and accepted will have absolutely NO guarantee if they will get the real thing or a placebo.If only 350 patients on 1400 will receive "real" cannabis, I wouldn't want to risk being part of the 1050 patients that will receive fake medication...and for a whole year?That would be unnecessary suffering and risking the lives of ALOT of people wouldn't it?Is it morally ethical accepting the risk of human lives when improperly or non-medicated with true cannabis?Some people (like me) can't tolerate anymore pharmaceutical medications since many years and cannabis is the only substance they can use to improve their quality and also increase their quantity of life.Would it be morally ethical to replace a diabetic's insuline with a fake medicine? Could they die?Peace,Marc

http://www.medpot.net/forums
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on December 18, 2004 at 11:59:42 PT

Marc
I understand what you are saying but why does it matter if a new direction is tried along with how others approach Cannabis issues in Canada? Cannabis medicine is still in it's infancy as far as the general public is concerned. I am not a Canadian so maybe it's different then here in the states.
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Comment #7 posted by Marc Paquette on December 18, 2004 at 11:30:41 PT:

re: FoM and E Johnson
Hi my Friends;I will start to answer FoM's question by saying YES, patients can still apply for a medical marijuana exemption in Canada, but only if they have their doctor and specialist signatures.Now that's where the problem is...ALOT if not most doctors and specialists in Canada were warned by their medical associations NOT to sign the applications and many of us that used to be legal can't get an exemption renewal anymore because of this sad fact.There are only about 700 of us left in ALL Canada (that's in 5 YEARS)...and that's on about 32 million people..therefore tens of thousands that could have had access.As for answering E Johnson's comment, I don't think that it's morally ethical and dangerous risking the lives of permanently ill and dying people by using a placebo..it smells like genocide to me.These studies are for a duration of "1" year and they have nothing to do with proving the efficacy of cannabis as medicine, but ONLY to prove if it can damage the lungs, heart, liver and other internal organs.The IOM (Institute of Medicine) in US and Dr Raphael Mechoulam in Israel have proven most of ALL cannabis therapeutic benifits since many decades.The FDA in US have homologated a patent for medical marijuana since the 1940's and 7 US medical marijuana federal patients legally receive 300 grams (more than half a pound) of FREE marijuana delivered to their drug store every 25 days...the quality is not that great though. NONE of us "legal" in Canada have ever receive anything FREE from our government, as they charge $150 per ounce, PLUS 7% GST tax and expedition costs.And the access is ONLY if you filed the 25 page application signed by your doctor, yourself and a lawyer..because you have to sign a document saying that you can ONLY buy the government pot and you give up your right to grow...it's a costly venture.How the heck can some people that live on disability pensions of $920 a month or less can afford it when some of us need 6 ounces or more per month..when we have NO help from insurance companies or government to pay?Also, our government pot was suppose to be FREE (and the "best" medical quality) for research and it's legal users according to their original contract with PPS (Re: HC document 2000-116).Who want their scrap anyway and smoke gamma-irradiated pot that was unflushed from it's growing chemicals..YUK, eh?Peace,Marc
http://www.medpot.net
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on December 18, 2004 at 09:56:01 PT

EJ I Understand
My son was involved in HIV studies. That's how it worked for him. They seem cruel when it's someone you love and you hope they are getting the drug but there is no other way to find out if a drug really is working without these studies.
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Comment #5 posted by E_Johnson on December 18, 2004 at 09:43:05 PT

Ethics of placebos are well worked out Marc
Medicial ethicists have been at work on the placebo study concept for decades Marc. This is not the first placebo study ever done where scientists confronted ethical issues in patient care.People have worked out procedures to minimize the potential damage from giving fake drugs to people to test the true efficacy of the real drug.For example, they had to do placebo studies with HIV medications to get them approved.When placebo studies showed clearly that HIV viral counts were going down in the real drug group and not in the placebo group, the study was interrupted prematurely and the placebo group was placed on the real drug, because it was obvious beyond analysis that the real drug worked and the ethics demanded the placebo group be given them as well.It's obvious to us that marijuana works but we've tested it on ourselves without the supervision of science.Now that is something medical ethicists would have problems with -- asking patients to test a drug on themselves without any scientists around to validate the results so they can be useful to others.
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on December 18, 2004 at 09:11:28 PT

Hi Marc
I'm sorry but I still don't understand but I am not involved in this project I'm just an observer. Can't approved patients in Canada have a little garden if they own their own home? Some people could benefit from a medicine made from Cannabis if they have lung disease or some other ailment that would make even vaporizing almost impossible.
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Comment #3 posted by Marc Paquette on December 18, 2004 at 09:02:46 PT

This whole study is DANGEROUS and inhumane
Dear Friends;This whole project is absurd and inhumane...BRAVO "Hell-th" (Health) Canada..you have done it again!While only 350 on 1400 permanently ill and dying people will receive "real" marijuana, those who are part of the 1050 patients that will only receive a placebo are in REAL danger and will suffer needlessly.Why?Because if it takes "real" marijuana to avoid epileptic seizures for an eplileptic, and he or she could die of a seizure if it's only a placebo...oh Lord, what should it be called?People with Aids and chronic Hepatitis C that depends on "real" marijuana for appetite and against vomitting...what will happen if they don't eat and puke all the time?All these 1050 sick patients on the placebo will not have their pain relieved for a whole year?Remember those who can't take pharmaceutical medications anymore.I'm afraid that if this project goes on, many will also die faster than they should, unless they would have used real cannabis.For sure, I'll NEVER participate in such a project because I would be too afraid of being part of the 1050 poor souls that will be in danger!Marc

http://www.medpot.net/forums
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on December 18, 2004 at 08:49:36 PT

I Don't Know What To Say
Why are some people from Canada so angry ( not from CNews ) when something doesn't go their way? No one owns this plant. Isn't this just the way capitalism works? Some win and some lose. I guess I over simplify things.
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Comment #1 posted by dr slider on December 18, 2004 at 08:32:21 PT:

inventing medicines or turning lead to gold?
"...no one has yet hit the home run." And they never will. Whole plant cannabis will never be made "better" in a labratory. Even GW is creating its cannabinoid blends by altering the plant itself. Its a laugh riot watching domesting pharm spending millions trying to create synthetic 'noids. What's Marinol, $10,000/Oz?
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