Pubdate: Thu, 19 Jun 2008 Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC) Copyright: 2008 Nanaimo Daily News Contact: http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608 Author: Derek Spalding Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal - Canada) LEGIT GROWER TAKES HELM AT POT CLUB Being Licensed by Health Canada Makes Delivery Service for Sick 'A Little More Legal' The Mid-Island Compassion Society continues its slow growth under new management, and the risk of criminal charges have been reduced since a licensed medicinal marijuana user took over for founder James Younger three weeks ago. Cliff Coombs took over the society that now delivers pot to 15 regular customers from Ladysmith to Nanaimo. With a Health Canada licence to carry up to 300 grams of dried marijuana - and with permission to deliver pot to other patients - Coombs has far less to worry about than his predecessor, who quickly drew police attention when he started delivering pot in February. A spokesman for one compassion club in Vancouver said that survival depends heavily on police turning a blind eye, while another manager in Victoria said his society has never been closed down, despite police efforts. Coombs hopes to avoid such a hassle by slowly introducing the society to police and city council. He's on the look out for a store front, but wants to get established first. His licence allows him to possess and deliver pot, but he still wants the community to understand and accept what he's doing. "I'm a little more legal than anyone else, so when James couldn't do it, I took over rather than leave all the other patients in limbo," he said Wednesday. Coombs has considerable compassion for those living with chronic pain. Living with HIV and a string of other agonizing diseases forces him to smoke seven to 10 grams every day, partially for the pain and partially to build up an appetite. His HIV medication severely suppresses his hunger. He also lives with the dull pain of bursitis in his right shoulder, osteoporosis in his left shoulder and arthritis all through his right hand. His consideration for others, however, can only go so far, if the society is to continue operations. Coombs only delivers to patients certified by Health Canada. "Unless they have documentation," he will not service them. "It's difficult, but it's the only way to survive," he said. "It would be nice to let anybody in, but it doesn't work that way. In order to protect the society I have to have the documentation." Mayor Gary Korpan has expressed disapproval of people using medicinal marijuana, but city councillors have had no official discussions about the society. Nanaimo RCMP have not commented on the operation. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake