Pubdate: Wed, 25 Apr 2012
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2012 The StarPhoenix
Contact: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Page: A3
Author: Peter Henderson

'GANJA FARMERS' SEEK SPONSORS FOR ANNUAL CONTEST

Medical-marijuana growers in Saskatchewan are preparing for a 
September competition that's the latest in a series of friendly 
contests between growers across Canada.

But organizer Jeff Lundstrom said staying within the law and 
organizing these "cannabis cups" is difficult.

"It takes a lot of money, a lot of work and a lot of risk," he said.

There are a few yearly contests in Vancouver and Toronto such as the 
Toronto Cannabis Cup and the Treating Yourself Expo, but Lundstrom 
said smaller contests in other cities often have trouble finding 
venues and sponsors.

"It's hard to find a convention hall that will let you smoke 
marijuana in a closed environment," he said. "And the authorities 
aren't always friendly."

Lundstrom is hoping to bring together medical-marijuana growers from 
across the province to Saskatoon for the second Prairie Harvest 
Medicinal Marijuana Cup.

Judges will determine the best product from different strains of 
marijuana submitted by Health Canada-approved growers. Lundstrom also 
plans to host roundtable discussions on marijuana potency and policy.

For Lundstrom, who owns a head shop in Saskatoon called the Skunk 
Funk Smoker's Emporium, the Harvest Cup is a labour of love.

"It's a celebration of our freedom and what we believe is our 
choice," he said. "I want everybody to know we're not criminals. It's 
just a celebration of something we think should be legal for everyone."

But it's not easy to buck the unsavoury reputation that marijuana 
cultivation engenders, Lundstrom said.

In fact, he said, most medical-marijuana growers cultivate a small 
number of plants and don't live like Tony Montana, or other supposed 
drug lords portrayed in Hollywood films.

"People are convinced that you profit from the production of 
cannabis," Lundstrom said.

"Growing weed is a very expensive and time-consuming ordeal. There's 
nobody making it rich."

Although medical marijuana is legal, possession is still illegal 
without a licence.

"It's not an issue for police unless we receive a complaint in regard 
to it," said Saskatoon police spokesperson Alyson Edwards.

Lundstrom said although two of last year's submissions were 
confiscated during shipping, police generally leave him alone.

"We've made attempts to approach them about security and that kind of 
stuff, but their basic response is, 'We're just not interested,' " he 
said. "As long as nobody's complaining, there's no reason for them to 
stir the pot." But Lundstrom said the police in other jurisdictions 
aren't always so accommodating, which is one of the reasons cannabis 
competition are often a one-time event.

Lundstrom, a licensed medical-marijuana user and grower, said the 
Prairie Cup is about more than just celebrating medical marijuana. 
It's about Saskatchewan pride.

"There's a lot of great farming and agriculture here," he said. 
"That's what we are, ganja farmers. That's how I look at myself, as a 
farmer with roots and ties to Saskatchewan. It's what has made me 
good at my job."

The marijuana-growing competition is the only one of its kind in Saskatchewan.

"We're simple people," Lundstrom said. "We just enjoy growing our 
weed, sitting back and enjoying the sunset and the endless skies."
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart