Pubdate: Fri, 18 Jan 2013
Source: Maple Ridge News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Maple Ridge News
Contact:  http://www.mapleridgenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1328
Author: David Hutchinson
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n661/a02.html

WOULD YOU EAT AT RESTAURANTS THREE TIMES A DAY?

Editor, The News:

Re: A few bad seeds (bclocalnews.com).

The letters of J. Davies and Pat Petrala made excellent points on 
what should be of genuine importance to all Canadians that care about 
health care.

Your superb editorial highlights the importance of this medical topic 
when, generally, the discussion surrounds decriminalizing or 
legalization here or in the U.S.

However, it is the health aspects that must be properly managed with 
an aging and sick population.

People are increasingly aware that cannabis can assist myriad medical 
conditions, and the number of registered patients through Health 
Canada doubled between February and October last year.

Unfortunately, our federal government insists on scaring the 
population and proposing awful legislation that will penalise the 
sick and dying.

People should read the 'Marijuana for medical purposes regulations,' 
published in the federal government's Canada Gazette page, Dec. 15, 
to appreciate how badly this is being managed and why they can expect 
to hear more from sick people during the current consultation period.

If this legislation becomes law, this is how it will look. Think of 
the analogy of feeding your family. Imagine being told that the law 
was changing next year and you could no longer grow vegetables in 
your own garden and then cook a meal in your kitchen. From 2014, that 
right would be removed and you would have to eat out at large 
commercial restaurants three times a day. No snacking between meals 
for recreational use.

The government will ensure the food provided and the sanitary 
conditions in the kitchen will be of the highest standard. Oh, by the 
way, the cost is many times higher than it is now and more expensive 
than the black market. I hope that anyone in your household that 
needs food can still afford to eat.

Welcome to the Orwellian reality of what medical marijuana patients face.

David Hutchinson

Surrey
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom