Cannabis Digest
Second Edition, Spring 2004
Cannabis Buyers Club Up-dates
We would like to make a
mass submission to Health Canada for the medical licenses to possess
medical marijuana this spring. Many people have taken the forms, but most
seem to be saving them or mailing them in themselves. The biggest
challenge most of us face is finding a doctor to support the application
process. Without back up from the College of Physicians, most doctors seem
reluctant. Two of the main clarifications we've made are there are three
separate health categories to apply under: and you do not need your
landlords permission to grow if you are using your primary residence. If
you have any questions please contact Gayle Quin or Steve Palmer at the
club, or Health Canada at 1-866-337-7705.
We were very please with
the results of the silent art auction. We raised SI200 for our wonderful,
competent lawyer Robert Moore-Stewart. Robert was moved to tears when he
accepted our efforts. Everyone enjoyed it so much we are going to try and
make it a yearly event.
The November 15, 2003
Rally had a smaller than expected crowd due mainly to a very cold and wet
day. We had a great time though, and the highlight of the day came when a
Victoria Constable came and shook Ted's hand. He was concerned with our
well-being and wanted to make sure no one was harassing us.
On Feb 20 the Victoria
News wrote that, "Victoria Police Inspector Bill Naughton said police have
backed off enforcement on the clubs for two reasons- the presences of much
more harmful drugs and the lack of clear direction from the courts. The
courts have required that people have a document to obtain medical
marijuana, but there is no source for them." While this is no
guarantee the club will not be raided again we all feel much more at ease
in the store.
Santa Cannabis Party
raised $400.00 for Robert Moore- Stewart. The music had brief tech
difficulties, which unfortunately resulted in us not being able to listen
to Green Law Avenue. With the help of some Cannabis Carolers, things got
fixed and soon forgotten as we rocked the night away with The Delegates,
Zola Bud, and King Bong. On January 28, 2004, the C.B.C.of C celebrated
it's 8th anniversary. The night was full of good music, great food brought
by one and all, and an ounce of roach joints rounded the evening off to a
point of no return, until next year!
A Twisted Tale of Justice:
Ted Smiths Trials to Begin Soon
A complex series of pre-trial arguments has led to a
peculiar arrangement for the trials facing Leon 'Ted' Smith, which are now
scheduled to begin on May 26. Ted was first arrested on November 8, 2000
at the University of Victoria sharing a small number of joints with
students, and one week later on November 15, 2000, before the annual
cannabis cookie give-away on International Medical Marijuana Day. However,
the first trial he could face in court may be from the charges stemming
from the first police incursion at the CBC of C, a medical cannabis
provider with a storefront in Victoria, which occurred on January 3, 2002.
The developments in preliminary hearings have seemed much like a chess
game at times, with the outcome potentially having an impact across the
country.
The current order of the
trials is now completely different than the actual chronological order of
the arrests. It started when Ted was arrested sharing joints at the
University of Victoria on November 8, 2000 and just before a pot cookie
giveaway on November 15, 2000. His lawyer entered a not guilty plea with
the inclusion ... of several constitutional arguments against the
prohibition laws. After accepting the plea, Administrative Judge Smith
forced the proceedings into his private chambers where he told Robert
Moore-Stewart that the Constitutional Question Notice would be held first
and separate from the criminal trials. This unfair process violates
Section 11 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms because it is
more difficult to prove the police and the state have acted irrationally,
applying the law arbitrarily and punishing select individuals in a manner
that is grossly disproportionate considering current social norms, without
the evidence of police behavior from the criminal trials being introduced
into court.
Now, after years of
delays with the Constitutional Question Hearing, the crown wants to
proceed with the criminal trials, primarily because the Supreme Court of
Canada recently considered whether the law violates the harm principle,
which is dealt with in Section 7 of the Charter. While the harm principle
argument alone failed, in a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court acknowledged
that constitutional issues around whether the law is rational, arbitrary
or grossly disproportionate have not yet been explored.
While
waiting for the Supreme Court, Ted was arrested with Colby Budda at the
CBC of C on January 3, 2002 and then he was singled out with a warrant a
few months later on March 21, 2002. In fact, the CBC of C has survived
five police raids at it's storefront in Victoria, though Ted was only
arrested in the first two, leaving the group over S30,000 in debt. The
last raid was February 19, 2003 and that trial should occur on May 5 and
6.
After agreeing with the
Crown Prosecutor in January of this year that it would be the most
efficient use of court resource if the Constitutional Question Hearings
were held at the conclusion of the criminal trials, we persuaded
Administrative Judge Smith to change the process that had allowed for a
three-year delay. Originally when the four trial dates were set not enough
time was granted for all of the witness, police, expert witnesses, and
constitutional questions from the first arrest. A scheduling problem with
a police officer made the Crown ask that the January 3 trial is held
before the cookie trial. Therefore, when we asked for a delay of the Uvic
trial, which has been put off until September 29 and 30, without delaying
any of the other three, it changed the order of trials around
significantly.
There are many reasons
why it seems advantageous to have the January 3 trial first, primarily
because the courts have strongly supported the medical use of cannabis
(see Cannabis Digest issue #1, Hitzig decision). No one can be convicted
of an unconstitutional law and there could be no more clear an example of
an irrational and harmful law than those prohibiting the use and
distribution of cannabis to the incurably ill.
Also, Ted was told by
the Victoria police to get a store in the first place and that is why he
was not initially charged when the raid occurred.
Fifth Annual Cannabis
Convention
On Sunday March 14, the International Hempology
101 Society will host it's Fifth Annual Cannabis Convention at Camosun
College. The event is on the Lansdowne Campus in the Young building's
Gibson's Auditorium from 1 pm to 4 pm and admission is free. This years
speeches include:
Michael
Straumietis: Brian Taylor:
Chris
Bennett: Mathew Elrod:
Brian Johnson: Steve Palmer: Leon 'Ted' Smith:
Advanced Nutrients Co-Owner.
Cannabis Health
Editor,
Mayor of Grand Forks, BC, 1996-99.
Pot-tv.net
Webmaster, author.
Drug sense cyber activist
Transglobal Hemp Corporation rep Disabilities
advocate. International Hempology 101 Society President.
The general theme to
this convention is 'growing together' with a focus on the history of
cannabis activism on the BC coast and how the sub-culture is becoming a
legitimate industry.
Featured in the November
10, 2003 edition of Forbes, Advanced Nutrients has been more openly
supportive of medical cannabis growers than any other fertilizer company
in North America. With 86 different products grossly generating $12
million in sales in 2003, the company has plenty of incentive to improve
upon fertilizers for medical cannabis users and is keenly interested in
being a leader in the industry. Co-owner Michael Straumietis is looking
forward to explaining why his company has been so supportive of the
medical use of cannabis and what new products will soon be available for
growers.
Opening the day will be
Chris Bennett, as he has done all five years. He will talk about his work
over the past fifteen years learning and teaching about the history of
cannabis and prohibition. His story touches many people, as well as
aspects of the movement, including the fact that his wife, Rene Boje, is a
well known refugee who could be sent back to the US to jail for helping
medical cannabis users in California.
Brian Taylor will talk
about the recent proposed changes to Health Canada's MMAR and how the
cannabis community can use the media, like his magazine Cannabis Health,
to help the movement become an integrated part of mainstream
society.
Covering the scene of
hemp on the island will be Brian Johnson who will focus on the successes
and challenges faced by the Canadian hemp industry.
Mathew Elrod will update
the audience with Internet sources of international news and political
commentary, acknowledging changes in cannabis laws around the
world.
Steve Palmer will
discuss his need for medical cannabis clubs and how people can advocate to
the government.
Ted Smith will conclude
the symposium with an overview of constitutional challenges to the
prohibition of cannabis in Canada, followed by a summary of his court
cases, which should begin May 26.
Ted faces six
trafficking-related charges stemming from the four times he has been
arrested since November 8, 2000. His lawyer, Robert Moore-Stewart, has
prepared arguments against the law based upon six different sections of
the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Other information booths
and activists are expected to attend and join in on one of the best annual
functions the cannabis culture offers on Vancouver Island.
Supreme Court Decision
R. v. Malmo-Levine; R.v.
Caine
Upholding opinion:
pp 3: Even if the "harm principle" relied upon by the
appellants could be characterized as a legal principle, it does not meet
the other requirements. First, there is no sufficient consensus that the
harm principle is vital or fundamental to our societal notion of criminal
justice. While the presence of harm to others may justify legislative
action under the criminal law power, the absence of proven harm does not
create an unqualified s.7 barrier to legislative action. Nor is there any
consensus that the distinction between harm to others and harm to self is
of controlling importance. Finally, the harm principle is not a measurable
standard against which to measure deprivation of life, liberty or security
of the person.
Pp 5: A criminal law
that is shown to be arbitrary or irrational will infringe s. 7.However, in
light of the state interest in the avoidance of harm to its citizens; the
prohibition on marijuana possession is neither arbitrary nor irrational.
Marijuana is a psychoactive drug "whose use causes alteration of mental
function", according to the trial judge in C's case. This alteration
creates a potential harm to others when the user engages in driving,
flying and other activities involving complex machinery. Chronic users may
suffer serious health problems. Vulnerable groups are at particular risk,
including adolescence with a history of poor school performance, pregnant
women and persons with pre existing conditions such as cardiovascular
diseases, respiratory diseases, schizophrenia or other drug dependencies.
These findings of fact disclose a sufficient state interest to support
parliaments intervention should parliament decide that it is wise to
continue to intervene, subject to a constitutional of gross
disproportionality. While parliament has addressed some of the harmful
conduct elsewhere in the criminal code, one type of legal control to
prevent harm does not logically oust other potential forms of legal
control, subject as always to the limitation of gross disproportionality.
Moreover parliaments decision to move in one area of public health and
safety without at the same time moving in other areas (e.g. alcohol and
tobacco) is not, on that account alone, arbitrary or
irrational.
Dissenting opinion
pp264: Arguments solely based on vague
general costs to the health care system cannot justify imprisonment for
any kind of risky undertaking. There is hardly a net benefit to society in
imprisoning; on the basis of the costs they impose on the healthcare and
welfare systems, those very persons who may need access to and support
from such systems. Canadians do not expect to go to jail whenever they
embark on some adventure which involves a possibility of injury to
themselves. J see no reason to single out those who may jeopardize their
health by smoking marijuana.
pp 268 Most if not all
of the arguments before this court have focused on possession for personal
use. On this record, it is virtually impossible to determine whether
possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking causes more than
little or no harm to others. 1 am aware of the health risks associated
with marijuana use could be used to demonstrate the trafficker, involving
third parties, such as, for instance, the issue of consent. Pp 30]: The
harm caused by using the criminal law to punish the simple use of
marijuana far outweighs the benefits that its prohibition can bring.
LeBelJ. notes that the fact that jail sentences are rarely imposed
illustrates the perception of judges that imprisonment is not a sanction
that befits the inherent dangers of using marijuana. In the case of the
appellant Caine, Howard J. also observed that the prohibition had brought
the law into disrepute in the eyes of over one million people. These are
exactly the kinds of reactions that are indicative of the arbitrariness of
the impugned provisions. As I have already mentioned and as Howard J.
observed, when a state prohibits socially neutral conduct, it exposes
itself to the risk of eroding it's credibility.
Trial Dates in
Victoria
May 5-6 Raid of CBC of Feb 19, 2003 Scott Johnson
and Ryan Fink May 26 Raid of CBC of Jan 3,2002
Ted Smith and
Colby Budda June 16 Cookie giveaway of Nov 15,2000
Ted Smith June 28,
30 Raid ofCBCofMar 21,2002
Ted Smith Sept 29,30 U of Vic arrest
of Nov 8, 2000
Ted Smith
COOMB'S CANNABIS BUYERS CLUB
CLOSED
After struggling in a
new location, the Coombs/Parksville branch of the CBC of C has permanently
shut closed, though a new group is already trying to replace it. While the
area is renowned for a tolerant attitude, moving close to a school proved
a fatal mistake to the reputation of this club. Though no police activity
or emergencies occurred because of the lack of tact or professionalism of
the Coombs club, the situation has unfortunately digressed to the point
where the headquarters of the CBC of C has no choice but to protect it's
reputation and integrity by cutting all formal relationships with those
still providing medicine in Coombs. The new group is providing a delivery
service with the same old phone number. We wish this new group good luck
as they try to provide this valuable service to the sick and
disabled.
Member Profile: Ian McArther, by Kelly
McPherson
My name is Ian McArthur and I am 53 yrs
old. At age 26, I graduated as a trained Chef in Vancouver. I moved to
Victoria and began working as a Chef at the Oak Bay Marina. At that time
of my life I was extremely agile and rode my bicycle everywhere. After 6
months in Victoria, on my way from the corner store, BAM! , I was hit by a
car without headlights on.
On arrival at hospital,
I was in a coma, my heartbeat over 220 beats a minute. I was wheeled
directly into the operating room for surgery by Dr. G. S. Cameron, the
best neurosurgeon at the time. In the operating room I hemorrhaged and
died twice. After the surgery I remained in a coma with an unchanged heart
rate for 2 months.
When I awoke, I was
severely mentally disabled. I was unable to speak or move and I was in
agony. I suffered extensive damage to one side of my brain and I could not
feel my left side. Over the next 20 yrs, I learned sign language,
relearned to speak and graduated from my wheelchair.
My right hemisphere is
primarily scar tissue and when the membrane around it swells, I get severe
traction headaches. I have tried painkillers to no avail. Luckily, I met
some friends who have infused medicinal cannabis into cookies, cakes and
more. When I ingest these items, my pain decreases considerably, sometimes
to nil. As a chronic pain sufferer, I highly recommend the use of medical
marijuana.
Elvy Musikka, by Gayle
Quin
Elvy Musikka is the only
female-one of eight people in the United States of America-who are
supplied medical cannabis federally.
I
had the great pleasure of meeting Elvy before the break for Christmas. She
gave me more to think about over that holiday season than I care to think
about most times. She gave me a present that can't be wrapped, but that
can definitely be shared.
She
shared with me time, stories, pieces of her life. The most precious things
that can be shared. But what she gave me was courage. The kind that does
not come easy. It's the courage it takes to stand in front of your friends
and ask for help with arms outstretched. The courage it takes to cross
boarders and ask of friends when you know they have been shot for helping
their friends, for doing the very same things you are doing. The courage
it takes when your son looks you in the eye and says "But Mom, you could
get arrested!" These are the things Elvy and I shared, the things I
believe all people share if they are brought up with a healthy love and
understanding for their fellow mankind.
Elvy was not a pot head
in the beginning. In the beginning she was a woman who was blind. Born
with congenial cataracts, she later in life developed glaucoma. She
underwent numerous operations, painful drops and medications that she had
acute reactions to. Almost to the point of suicide she said before she
allowed her own doctor to talk her into trying something that was illegal.
He himself had to procure some for her before she would try it. The first
couple of joints didn't do anything. The next time he got better medicine
and Elvy noticed a difference before she finished the first
joint.
Cannabis keeps the
internal fluid pressures of the eye from building up and blocking the
optic nerve, thus helping to retain vision. Now her big problem is getting
through the night. THE is fat soluble and so goes through your bodies
system in four hours. Most of us like to sleep for six to eight hour's
undisturbed to have a sunny disposition in the morning. If your medicine
only lasts for four of those hours you're either going to wake up with
further impaired vision from the previous day, or you are going to have to
set an alarm to get you up in the middle of the night to take more
medicine.
The next bigger problem
she faces is her illness is degenerative, meaning it's going to keep
getting worse according to doctors. I'd like to add here that this is now
a point that Elvy herself likes to argue. It seems the vision in both of
her eyes is slowly improving over the years since she started to use
cannabis. She smokes cannabis, eats cannabis, and uses it as a poultice
not only on her eyes, but also to heal her arm when she broke it last
year. The federal government doesn't think she needs increasingly stronger
medicine for her decreasing vision. They would not give her anything else
to try, so when she heard about our B.C. bud she decided to come and try
for herself. Her suspicions were confirmed and B.C. cannabis made her more
comfortable right away. She loved everyone's medicinal baking and was
eagerly going to try Ryanol as a way of helping throughout the
night.
Also, because of their
war on drugs (and other related issues), Elvy and a lot of other American
citizens are very uncomfortable with their government right now and are
turning to their neighbors to the north and south for refuge. Elvy, many
others, and myself were very disappointed with the fact Steve Kubby's
hearing was turned down. We have already seen the beginnings of a
migration similar to that of the Vietnam war draft dogger epidemic. I
myself welcome them with open arms because these are the people who dare
to stand up for what's right and not for what's easiest. Every night I
hear Elvy's last words to me "We have to find a way to work together, to
unite and beat them." And I believe that time is almost here, that lots of
people from around the globe are thinking the same way.
Elvy is the best kind of
activist we have, not because she knows more, or cares more or is braver
than anyone else, but because she has endless courage And what helps her,
myself, and many others through lonely nights is knowing that the next day
we'll be with people who care, and share, and dare.
Thank-you Elvy Mussika
for being you. For more info on Elvy's history please look up Musikka,
Elvy. Pages 52-57 of Lester Grinspoon,M.D., and James B.
Bakalar."Marihuana The Forbidden Medicine." Elvy makes herself available
for Court trials, Interviews, and Presentations whenever possible and can
be contacted through the club.
GRANT KRIEGER BUSTED AGAIN!
Bob Marley smoked ganja
to be closer to Jah, and sang songs of freedom for his people. Grant
Krieger ingests cannabis to alleviate his pain from Multiple Sclerosis,
and smokes weed on the front steps of a Calgary courthouse for his
people.
Grant
Krieger's fight began in December 1994 when he attempted suicide. He began
to build a ladder out of the darkness, toward theprohibition porthole. For
those who haven't heard about Grant'strials upon trials and his many,
many, triumphs; allow me to updateyou with the sequence of events that
sprung forth after he hit rock bottom.
After
one year of regularly ingesting cannabis, Grant's seizures reduced
dramatically and his doctor visits dwindled to a mere three, from the
thirty-eight odd visits the year prior. His crusade began in 1996 when
Grant Krieger and his wife, Marie, decided that he should venture to
Holland to obtain a doctor's prescription to ingest. After obtaining his
prescription, he tried to enter Canada with it filled and was arrested in
Holland and detained for several days. The event made international
headlines and inspired many, who require, to fight for their rights. Even
though Grant arrived in Canada with his prescription empty, his
perseverance was overflowing.
One
victory led to another. In 2000, Justice Darlene Acton entitled Krieger
the right to grow, ingest and possess. According to Krieger, "that's one
helluva victory". What the Crown continues to contest is that no limits were set on what Krieger is allowed to
grow.
Recently, on December 23 2003, the Supreme Court of
Canada denied the Crown's second appeal on the Acton ruling. The ruling
may be Krieger's saving grace from a bust earlier this year.
On January 09 Grant was
pulled over in Manitoba for an obstructed registration sticker. Cops
seized $7500, pot and a Tim Horton's gift certificate from his vehicle despite his constitutional
exemption. Nevertheless, Grant and Marie continue to build the
ladder for people who choose to medicate with natures remedies to ease
their suffering. The Krieger Foundation operates in nine communities
across Canada and aims to double that in 2004. Established to honour the Canadian charter of rights of freedoms, the
Krieger Foundation is responsible for supplying to those who require
clean, medicinal grade cannabis.
Maintaining the
foundation is Grant's greatest challenge, due in part to the lack of
federal support and recognition of "alternative" medicine. To help finance
the foundation Marie Krieger wrote "cooking for life"
which can be found on their
website at www.kriegerfoundation.org . The bulk of the funding for the foundation
comes from the people, for the people - a concept that is far to
"alternative" for our present state of political leadership to comprehend.
Regardless of the walls built by our federal government, Grant Krieger is
still building his ladder, and with every success, we are all climbing one-step closer
to the
light.
"If I have been given
the right to ingest for my illness, everyone should be given that right to
self-medicate with Cannabis. It should be every (adult) Canadian's freedom
of choice whether or not to ingest this beneficial plant in which ever
form they wish, and the Krieger Foundation is here to make that possible".
Grant Krieger
Tanya Brown
The Krieger Foundation:
Calgary 403-235-1244, 272-5204; Edmonton 780-432-0827; Lethbridge
403-328-4264; Regina 306359-0357; Winnipeg 204-785-8613; Kenora
807-467-8651; Saskatoon 306-668-3941; Airdrie 403-912-9167
Pot'litical Corner, By Steve Pittner
As a federal election
looms across Canada, Cannabis Health Journal interviewed some federal
N.D.P candidates in British Columbia, in their spring 2004 edition. Here
are some excerpts I feel deserve to be repeated, to show that an
alternative to Paul Martin's liberals is out there.
Alex T. Atamanenko N.D.P
(federal party representative for the B.C Southern Interior riding),
proudly states," The N.D.P. remains faithful to the 1999 resolution,
calling for the Decriminalization of Cannabis. We want Canada to take
steps, that reflect a more intelligent and compassionate direction for
marijuana use". In the C.H interview of Libby Davies, an outspoken Federal
N.D.P candidate for Vancouver East, and supporter of drug policy reforms,
to prevent criminalization and the harm caused by Canadian prohibitionist
policies. States, "Health Canada's record is appalling". Regarding the
Medical Marijuana Access program, "They have to be dragged kicked and
screaming, towards a more rational and accessible program. Compassion
clubs and other groups who know what is happening on the front line, are
not being consulted or listened to." Drawing on her own experiences from
working with chronically ill people, Libby claims." All they are asking
for is a clean quality and affordable supply."
Recently, the Federal N.D.P had pushed for several
amendments to bill C-38, in the fall of 2003. Key issues
raised at that time were; Amnesty Provisions, for over 600,000 Canadians
with criminal records of simple pot possession, Non-commercial Transfer of
Marijuana, to make passing a joint or up to 30 grams not a trafficking
offence. Also of concern is the Controlled Drug and Substances Act, that
needs amending, regarding Reasonable Grounds Required for Searches, and
Records Sharing with foreign jurisdictions for personal possession or
cultivation fines. Unfortunately, since February of 2004, bill C-38
has now been re-introduced as Bill C-10 at the same level of debate
it was in the fall of 2003. It would appear the current programs and
proposed changes to the law are deeply flawed, and lack a long-term
strategy with a vision beyond decriminalization .The economic potential
for an assortment of local communities with regulation and a non-punitive
approach (like liquor and tobacco) would have a more desirable effect.
However, if any of these changes are to become a reality, it will take the
masses during the next Federal election to get out and
vote.
Published Mandates
CANNABIS DIGEST is a quarterly
publication by the International Hempology 101 Society, which provides
current legal, medical and political updates concerning the use, growth
and supply of cannabis to those in medicinal need. CANNABIS DIGEST will focus
upon the members and supporters
of the Cannabis Buyers' Clubs of Canada.
The CBC of C mandate is
to provide cannabis to people with incurable physical medical problems or
as otherwise directed by their doctor. This includes individuals with
rare, obscure medical conditions where either the symptoms or side-effects
of prescription drugs can be alleviated by using cannabis. Also, for
people suffering from permanent physical pain or diseases, the ability of
cannabis to induce relaxation, stimulate the appetite and help with
sleeping is fundamental to maintaining a tolerable lifestyle.
THE INTERNATIONAL HEMPOLOGY 101
SOCIETY
is an incorporated non-profit society
dedicated to educating the public about hemp, cannabis and prohibition. We
educate about the agriculrural, environmental and industrial advantages of
growing hemp and using other eco-friendly products, as well as the
medicinal and spiritual uses of cannabis and other plants and substances.
We educate about the roots of prohibition, who or what we are up against
and what we need to do individually and collectively in order to change
the laws and misconceptions, which are suppressing the remarkable cannabis
sativa plant.
Member Profile: Shawn Saunders Time for
reason
Imagine for a second,
that you are going to the grocery store to buy Tylenol for an unrelenting
headache. You search high and low, shelf-to-shelf but don't see it
anywhere. You make your way to the cashier to ask where they it is, he
tells you that it's illegal to sell them to you because it has been
prohibited. What do you do? Aspirin just doesn't cut it and you don't want
to get hooked on the prescription drug from your local pharmacy. 1 guess
you are going to have to go to the dreaded "black market' to get varying
degrees of quality Tylenol. This is the feeling a medical marijuana user
would have if they encountered a shut down buyer's club. I am a
30-year-old man suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. 1 have been on every
drug imaginable, from a three time a week injection (Rebif) to the
(counteract the effects of the injections) Tylenol (for fever) and Gravol
(nausea). The injections made me so depressed that I had to try a couple
different types of antidepressants (Luvox and Zoloft) to no avail and
became suicidal. I figured there is no way M.S. was going to make me kill
myself! I quit everything for a couple of months and started to get very
achy and crampy, so I figured, after a year or so hiatus, that 1 would
rediscover cannabis. I can't begin to describe how good it is for my
muscles which are sore in perpetuity. The people at the CBCoC have
potentially done God's work by making it easier for people to get the
medicine that they need. It is naturally occurring, has yet to be
responsible for a single death. Where as even something as legal Tylenol
and alcohol has killed and will continue to kill on account of it being
readily available to just about anyone astute enough to get it. It is
infuriating to see such naivety when "they" have been studying cannabis
since at the very least the Ledain commission. It seems very silly when
put into that perspective and it seemed that way for quite some time.
Hopefully society will soon embrace something that should have never been
pillaged from us in the first place.
Shawn
Saunders
Advocates Corner, by
Steve Palmer Disabled Advocate
Last week, the Auditor
General tabled a scathing report on the Ministry of Human Resources
"reassessment" of People with disabilities, in British
Columbia.
The
new MHR Minister, Stan Hagen, was quick to defend the ministry's
reassessment of some 14,000 clients, and with a whopping price tag of more
than $5 million dollars...to find just 46 people who did not
qualify no wonder!
Although the Minister denies the reassessment had
anything to do with money, few I think... will buy it.
In this old Advocates
humble opinion, this unnecessary waste of scant taxpayer resources,
demonstrates the prejudice of this government towards PWD, and will no
doubt, continue to put saving money, above giving us the equality and
respect we deserve.
WOMEN AND CANNABIS
Dr.Ethan Russo, Melanie
Dreher, & Mary Lynn Mathre
Pg. 118 The possibility
of a "drug free society" is unrealistic. People seek and use drugs to feel
better. Medications/drugs are not risk free, but the risks can be
minimized only with accurate and readily available information on the
harmful effects prior to their use. Compared to most medications available
today, cannabis is remarkably safe and effective and therefore should be
available as an initial option to patients. As a social/recreational drug,
the effects of cannabis are pleasant for many with little personal or
societal risks and therefore may be a safer choice compared to other
social/recreational drugs used by adults. While concern is justified about
the dangers involving children and teenagers using drugs, the lies and
cruelty of the marijuana prohibition are confusing to young people who
learn not to trust their government. The harm resulting from the
prohibition of cannabis costs individuals and our society as a whole much
more than the drug itself.
When
viewed from a nursing perspective, cannabis can be a useful therapeutic
agent if it were legally available. Cannabis could be a useful harm
reduction agent for substance abuse if it were regulated. The greatest
harm from cannabis is the threat of legal consequences related to its
illegal status. Nurses and other health care providers can play a vital
role in reducing the harmful effects of medication/drug use. Health care
professionals can teach patients and the public how to minimize the
potentially harmful effects of cannabis when it is used as a medicine or
social/recreational drug, but as long as cannabis remains in schedule 1,
health care providers will be reluctant to talk with their patients about
this drug. The role of the healthcare provider is severely compromised by
cannabis prohibition and society suffers from this unjust, cruel, and
costly policy. Published by Haworth Press, 2002.
Given that this is the first editorial in
Cannabis Digest, it is appropriate to explain the intentions of this
fledgling publication. We hope to allow Cannabis Digest to grow into a 16
page, black & white medical cannabis journal which provides personal
stories, court transcripts, research updates and current information about
Health Canada and the medical cannabis community. This format should
enable anyone on or off the Internet to print and/or photocopy mass
copies. Many professionals are looking for current, accurate and relevant
information about the medical uses of cannabis, how the prohibition laws
are changing in court and the activities of organizations involved in the
fight to legalize the herb. Cannabis Digest wants to produce material
which will enhance the communities understanding of the people and issues
involved in the struggle to secure access to medical cannabis. Please
contact us if you think you can help CANNABIS
DIGEST.
Thanks to all our contributors: Ted Smith,
Steve Palmer, Rev. Joe, Gayle Quin, Christiaan Bell, Steve Pittner, James
Luker, Shawn Saunders, Tyler MacDonald, Tanya Brown Kelly McPherson and
Authors: Dr.Ethan Russo, Melanie Dreher & Mary Lynn
Mathre
Advertising Information: call Ted
Smith: (250) 381-4220
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Accepted
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Digest: $10.00
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DIGEST at: (250) 381-4220 or
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