Pubdate: Thu, 15 Mar 2012
Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012, BC Newspaper Group
Contact:  http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948
Author: Chris Hamlyn

POT PROHIBITION AMONG TOPICS AT CANNABIS FORUM

There might not be a better time for a cannabis convention.

With calls for the legalization of marijuana from former B.C.
attorneys general, former Vancouver mayors, current Vancouver Mayor
Gregor Robertson and B.C. health officials making headlines, it's a
good time to get the issues out the public.

The Cannabis Convention, organized by the International Hempology 101
Society and Vancouver Island University's Hempology 101 Club, takes
place Sunday (March 18) from 1-4 p.m. in Bldg. 200, Rm. 203 at VIU.

Ted Smith, society president, said as each year passes, it seems more
people are realizing the benefits that cannabis has to offer and the
follies of prohibition.

"Now more than ever with the push for the war on drugs by Stephen
Harper, we really need to present our issues to the public in a way
that we can stop the enforcement of cannabis prohibition," he said.
"At the same time, we need to get the message out that as a medicine,
cannabis is unparalleled and is saving people's lives."

Amie Gravell, president of VIU's Hempology 101 Club, said there is
also a cultural prohibition that silences both recreational and
medicinal marijuana users.

"Marijuana use is something that is stigmatized and isolating in many
ways - especially medical marijuana use," she said. "The convention is
about building community, giving people the opportunity to meet and
discuss the issues in a safe, positive space. That's something not
usually provided by society."

Keynote speaker for the convention is John Anderson, chairman of VIU's
criminology department, and a member of Law Enforcement Against
Prohibition.

Other guest speakers include: Chris Bennett of Forbidden Fruit
Publishing, Andrew Brown of Cannabis Digest, Spencer Daemoe of Green
Harvest and Rebecca Ambrose of the Victoria Seed Bank.

For more information, please go to www.hempology.ca or call
1-250-381-4220.
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MAP posted-by: Matt