Pubdate: Wed, 03 Apr 2002
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoria/timescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481

MEDICAL MARIJUANA BOOSTERS ENCOURAGED

Medical marijuana advocates think Victoria city hall has heard their 
message about the need for sick people to have access to pot.

About 30 supporters of medical marijuana said they were encouraged Tuesday 
as they left a joint meeting of the Victoria Police Board and city council.

Several councillors and police board members said they wanted more 
information about the federal legislation that allows physician-approved 
people to legally possess marijuana. But the law leaves the 
medically-approved people in a conundrum because it is still illegal for 
them to buy pot.

The councillors and board members discussed having a Health Canada 
representative come to a meeting to explain some of the intricacies and 
seeming inconsistencies of the legislation. No date was set.

Medical marijuana advocates said they believe that sharing their personal 
stories at a council meeting last week made all the difference.

"We've got to keep humanizing this issue for people to understand," said 
Ted Smith, who faces six marijuana-related charges.

While one arm of federal legislation allows approved people to have 
marijuana, the federal Criminal Code still makes possession illegal for 
most people.

And the police have to follow the Criminal Code, said Victoria Police Chief 
Paul Battershill.

At one point, it was suggested that police could essentially turn a blind 
eye to pot trafficking for medicinal purposes.

"That's starting down a very, very slippery slope, when you tell the 
police, 'We do not want you to follow the law,'" Battershill said.
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MAP posted-by: Alex