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. - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine