Pubdate: Mon, 18 Jun 2001
Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001, BC Newspaper Group
Contact:  http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948
Author: Darrell Bellaart
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjparty.htm (Canadian Marijuana Party)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada)

POT PLANNING IS BUDDING

Don Lavallee wants to make Nanaimo the hub of a budding new enterprise.

The former B.C. Marijuana Party candidate for Nanaimo is in the planning 
stages of setting up a compassionate club to distribute marijuana to the 
Island's chronically ill.

"What we're looking at is setting up a full network across B.C. by 
September," Lavallee says.

Lavallee got 809 votes in the May provincial election, less than a tenth of 
what Liberal candidate Mike Hunter garnered to win a seat.

But Lavallee says the party grabbed enough support provincially to proceed 
with plans to make inexpensive, pesticide-free medical-grade cannabis 
available to sick people who need it.

Compassionate clubs will provide marijuana to cancer patients, arthritics, 
chronic pain sufferers - anyone who can prove their doctor knows they are 
using marijuana for medical reasons.

"The basic thing is, as long as your doctor acknowledges you're using it. 
It doesn't mean he's prescribing it, it just means he knows you're using 
it," Lavallee says.

Lavallee cites support from the Canadian Charter of Rights, which allows 
patients to choose their preferred form of medical treatment.

Once up and running, compassionate clubs will sell pot for $7 a gram, less 
than the black market price range of $240 to $300 for a one-ounce (28-gm) bag.

The plan is to set up a non-profit organization to sell the drug at cost, 
with enough money left over to pay for its distribution.

"I've already had one supplier approach me saying he'd rather supply it 
locally, rather than shipping it off to the U.S. He's willing to sell it to 
me at $150 an ounce, which means we can pass that on."

As to the legalities of distributing what is still an illegal substance, 
Lavallee is confident RCMP will look the other way, if it is for medical use.

Next month Lavallee, who is a B.C. Ferries chef, will attend a conference 
in Kelowna aimed at gearing up for the establishment of 10 compassionate 
clubs around the province by late summer.

"It's quite exciting," Lavallee says.

"I'm glad to be in a position where I can help people."
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MAP posted-by: GD