Pubdate: Thu, 31 May 2001 Source: Prince George Citizen (CN BC) Copyright: 2001 Prince George Citizen Contact: http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/350 Author: Karen Kwan Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada) IT'S STILL AN OFFENCE: RCMP Facing the prospect of a new organized pot distribution system in Prince George, RCMP said they will continue to enforce drug laws as usual. "If we come across (drug offences) we'll deal with it. We'll treat it on a case-by-case basis," said Insp. Dahl Chambers. Police don't intend to target any specific groups, he said, but he added: "It's still an offence in Canada no matter what the reason." The B.C. Marijuana Party announced it will establish a "compassion network" to provide inexpensive pot to medicinal users. Prince George is one of nine communities across the province that will be linked to the system, said party president Marc Emery. Two people in each area will oversee the distribution, he said. While there's concern about police enforcement, the party doesn't expect the network to be shut down, said Will DeWolf, who's helping to organize the system in Prince George. Police have seized marijuana from similar compassion clubs in other communities but rarely is anyone charged, he said. Law enforcement initiatives don't appear to affect the supply or price of pot, he said. "For every grow operation that's busted, there are 1,000 others." DeWolf said pot is often used to alleviate nausea, allowing patients to keep their medicine down, or to eat, and also acts as a pain killer and anti-inflammatory. He said he expects the compassion network will help not only people with terminal illnesses, but also those with chronic illnesses such as Crohn's disease and arthritis. The federal government is proposing to relax the rules on medical marijuana, starting July 31, making rules on possession and growing more flexible. Since May 1999, the government has allowed Canadians to apply for medicinal marijuana use, but imposed strict limitations. The House of Commons recently voted to establish a committee that will examine non-medical drug use, which is expected to include debate on decriminalization. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager