MMJ crackdown in Canada

[Hammerzeit]

Health minister confirms plan to tighten rules for growing medical marijuana

By: Heather Scoffield,
The Canadian Press

OTTAWA - Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq is confirming that she intends to further restrict the way medical marijuana is grown.

She wants to take individual growers and Health Canada out of the business of producing the drug, and instead grant licences only to commercial operations.

The government says it will consult with the public until July 31 on how best to phase in the changes.

The move is in response to complaints from police, firefighters and municipal officials who say individual growers attract crime, and cause fire and health hazards in their communities.

Aglukkaq also wants to streamline the process for patients trying to obtain authorization to possess medical marijuana.

But in a press release, she also warned that there are no changes to legalize pot for recreational purposes.

"Marijuana will continue to be regulated as a controlled substance under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act," she stated.

Since 2001, Canadians in intense pain have been able to ask their doctors for permission to use medical marijuana to better manage their conditions.

The courts have ruled that patients deemed in need of the drug should be able to possess and access a legal supply.

Until now, they could either grow it themselves, get it from a designated grower, or buy it from Health Canada. The government has contracted a Saskatchewan company to grow one strain of marijuana.

But police, especially in British Columbia, are complaining that designated growers are abusing their permits and growing far more than required for patients' needs.

They say legal growers are attracting illegal activity, knowingly or unknowingly.

Mayors across the country have banded together to ask Ottawa to at least make sure that people who are growing marijuana at their homes are required to obtain the proper building permits.

"Our government is very concerned that the current Marijuana Medical Access Program is open to abuse and exploitation by criminal elements," Aglukkaq said.

"That is why we are proposing improvements to the program that will reduce the risk of abuse and keep our children and communities safe, while significantly improving the way program participants access marijuana."

Patients have also complained they are having trouble persuading their doctors to prescribe the drug. They say doctors find the bureaucratic process of giving permission to use marijuana too onerous.

Plus, officials say not all doctors are clear about how much marijuana to allow, and under what conditions.

So Health Canada is setting up a committee to provide doctors with current information. Plus, under the new rules, patients won't have to ask Health Canada for permission to use medical marijuana, and will just be able to deal with their own doctors instead.

"These proposed improvements reflect concerns we have heard from all kinds of Canadians including law enforcement, fire officials, municipalities, program participants and the medical profession," Aglukkaq said.

The proposals may do the trick for city mayors. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities immediately issued a press release welcoming the moves as practical, but urged the government to move quickly and also deal with their immediate safety concerns right away.

"We welcome the federal government's commitment to develop smarter rules that allow municipalities to do our job protecting neighbourhood safety and delivering front-line police, fire, and emergency services," said federation president Berry Vrbanovic.

About 10,000 people across Canada have permission to use medical marijuana.

Note the bold section. The various doctor associations have repeatedly stated they want nothing to do with medical cannabis. So...I dunno WTF. I'm really, really, really, really hoping the court challenge stops this.

 

[weedemon]

god damn it, just decriminalize it! it's retarded how i am a "criminal" only due to the fact i enjoy marijuana. otherwise I am totally just a normal citizen like everyone else.

I shouldn't need to obtain permission to use it. do i need permission to drink booze? do i need permission to have a coffee? why not permission to eat a burger? i'd wager that a big mac is worse for me than a bowl of vape.

sign this!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/17/decriminalize-pot-in-canada/

 

[jimbo]

This is horse shit Doesn't help any, doctors still won't write scripts for MMJ, I asked
my doctor about medical marijuana last fall for my migraines and anxiety
and he looked at me as if I was retarded and said he doesn't believe in prescribing mmj
and pretty much made me feel that I was not welcome back at the office
Now with the conservatives in power I have a feeling its just gonna get worse
for Canadians

Beyond Prohibition Foundation: PROPOSED CHANGES TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA RULES NOT GOOD ENOUGH:
http://whyprohibition.ca/blogs/jaco...ed-changes-medical-marijuana-rules-not-good-e

 

[tdavie]

It sucks, and it's like beating your head against a fucking wall for sure.

I've got a family doctor who I'm open with about my MJ usage, but who refuses to have anything to do with it because it is addictive (or so he says).

I also see a specialist twice a year who actually praises my MJ usage for arthritis, but is absolutely unable to support an application (because I'm not seeing him for arthritis).

Doctor 1 refuses to refer me to a physician who can evaluate me, and doctor 2 tells me exactly what will happen if the first words out my mouth when I see a pain specialist are 'Marijuana'.

Keep it up though, because every time I mention Marijuana when I see a doctor (and now it is every time), it goes down on my charts/history, and it is supoenable (spelling) in the case of a Cannabis charge.

Tom

 

[VWFringe]

what doctor would choose to be ostracized? (spelling)

bad business for any doctor to admit any connection to illegal drugs, at the least cutting into their pill trade, so I don't expect the doctors to join our picket lines any more than I'd be willing to paint myself as a lone wolf in the eyes of the FBI.

If only 2% of the population uses on a daily basis, and we're not getting any love, it's never gonna come from the top down, they hook a certain number of voters anytime they pay lip service to social issues, so it'll continue until they cannot get away with it any longer (IMO)

.... We need the straights on our side, but i wish the debate would be about personal liberties, but it seems economics is our movement's PR strategy.

oh, I hope this new initiative by the UN will yield results! (i do have a sensation of hope about it)

 

[Hammerzeit]

I have no idea if my MMAR application is going to be relevant. I had to go to a fucking private clinic for it, paid like 180 total. WTF?! I don't even understand WTF is going on, is the Mernagh case still going or did the appeal shut it down? The "consultation" process is/was basically getting their fucking bullshit rubberstamped by various anti-MMJ people.

Also I believe they intend to dispense through this "association" of dispenceries. From what I can see it looks like a damn good way for these "compassion clubs" to get their competition shutdown and ensure total control over the market. Absolute bullshit.

I want to fucking punch something.

 

[pakalolo]

The Mernagh case is back in court on June 22:

Feds seek time-out

Since they haven't passed compliant legislation and there is none before the House, they are relying entirely on the Court granting an extension of the 90 day time limit. As I understand it, if the bid for extending the time limit fails, there will be no MMJ program in Canada and no prohibition against growing or possession. There is some doubt about trafficking. You can argue that it shouldn't be illegal to traffic in what would then be a legal substance, but I simply point you to the insanity of Canada's laws surrounding prostitution: prostitution is legal, but almost everything associated with actually working as a prostitute is not.

 

[tdavie]

Until the legislation passes I am politely requesting my MP support vastly expanded MMAR freedoms. I am also requesting that individuals have a way to undergo an objective MMAR evaluation quickly, cheaply and without repercussions. I also pointed out that if you are not evaluated when it is requested you are being treated the same as Mernagh, which is why the law was struck down.

I actually hope a 30 day extension is given because it gives the pro side more time to prepare better arguments.

Tom

 

[Vaporisateur]

I currently have a designated grower and there is no way I would be able to afford my daily prescription if these changes passes. I am very anxious right now because this could mean going to a cocktail of prescription drugs instead and I really, really, don't want that. Unless these new rules will allow me to claim it on my insurance plan like any other prescription?

Fuck, it's father's day tomorrow AND my daughter's birthday, but I don't feel like celebrating at all.

 

[jimbo]

Health Canada was granted more time in the Mernagh case

article
Mernagh video about the latest ruling

 

[HeMe Bebop]

I've got a family doctor who I'm open with about my MJ usage, but who refuses to have anything to do with it because it is addictive (or so he says).

It would be a dependance not an addiction, which I do believe it can progress to. But does he not prescribe pain meds as well? They are 100x more addictive than MJ and 100x more dependance causing. I would think that he is just protecting his own licence as a doctor, which I can understand. After years upon years of med school, I don't think I would want anything to do with MJ and it's potential to lose me a career I worked my ass off for.

 

[Hammerzeit]

Hey guys; if your Canadian we might be able to do something!

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/consultation/marihuana/_2011/program/index-eng.php

^ Basically write up your response to the program and fax it in (harder to ignore, could use free efax service if you lack a fax machine).. I wouldn't reccomend advocating legalization - this is pretty much a reform thing only at this time.

Faxing in a copy of my write up, or another pre-written one, wouldn't end well.

If you really want to apply the pressure, contact your MP and make sure they are actually taking these into account and not tossing them as they come in. I'm going to do just that, and if other folks do as well...ehehehe.

 

[pakalolo]

Hey guys; if your Canadian we might be able to do something!

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/consultation/marihuana/_2011/program/index-eng.php

^ Basically write up your response to the program and fax it in (harder to ignore, could use free efax service if you lack a fax machine).. I wouldn't reccomend advocating legalization - this is pretty much a reform thing only at this time.

Faxing in a copy of my write up, or another pre-written one, wouldn't end well.

If you really want to apply the pressure, contact your MP and make sure they are actually taking these into account and not tossing them as they come in. I'm going to do just that, and if other folks do as well...ehehehe.

The form on that page can be used. Note that it specifically says you shouldn't provide identifying information. In other words, it's anonymous.

My submission:

The proposed changes constitute hypocrisy of the highest order. By withdrawing the right to produce your own supply, Health Canada is flying directly in the face of Justice Taliano's order. The lack of compassion for suffering Canadians who cannot afford to buy what they formerly could produce themselves for little or no cost is appalling.

Hiding behind supposed concern for involvement by criminal elements is particularly galling. This is circular reasoning at its ugliest, since it is the government of Canada that continues to make marijuana possession and usage illegal in direct contradiction of the wishes of the majority of Canadians.

Fortunately, this insanity can only backfire upon the Minister and Health Canada. I look forward to the inevitable ruling that will be precipitated by this stupidity, since it will result in not just decriminalization but the invalidation of all laws criminalizing marijuana.

I wanted to add, "By the way, fuck you!" but I thought better of it.

 

[tdavie]

I'm still on the mailing list (physically) for NORML and other pro MJ organizations in Canada. Paid, but as unnamed. I left the subscriptions to the people who bought my house as a gift, and renewed at my new house. Spread the news anyway I can.

Also talk openly with 'some' coworkers about my MJ use. It's the number one issue I raise with any politician any time I am in contact. And finally, now that I am owning another house that MJ unfriendly relatives do not know about, I have what I call an MJ friendly house. Everyone who comes over knows in advance that it is an MJ friendly house.

Other than bore the ears off of everyone I know (some converts already, none new, a lot surprisingly hostile, and a surprising number of 'educated but utterly clueless) there's not much else to do.

Sadly I can not yet fly a 40 ft flag pole in my back yard with an MJ flag on it and avoid prosecution. Some day soon though.

Tom