Pubdate: Tue, 26 Sep 2006
Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Canoe Inc
Contact:  http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837
Author: John Pigeon, 24 Hours

WOMEN AND WEED LOSE

The Budget Axe

The Conservatives were wielding the budget axe  yesterday and it came 
down on medicinal marijuana  research and department for the Status of Women.

The $1 billion in federal funding cuts were announced  at the same 
time the government reported a $13.2  billion surplus in the last fiscal year.

"They never really viewed the work of grassroots  women's 
organizations as real work," said B.C.  Coalition of Women's Centres 
spokeswoman Debra  Critchley of the $5 million cut to the Status of 
Women.  "At the end of the day really what it does is  facilitate 
silencing women."

As a medicinal marijuana user, researcher and advocate  with the 
Vancouver Island Compassion Society, Philippe  Lucas said axing the 
national research fund is more  symbolic than practical.

He explained funding hasn't been accessible since 2004.

"We've got non-profit organizations putting forward the  majority of 
the funding for medical marijuana as it is  anyways," he said, 
expressing concern about the future  of Canada's medical marijuana 
production facility.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine