Pubdate: Sat, 09 Mar 2013 Source: Hamilton Spectator (CN ON) Copyright: 2013 The Hamilton Spectator Contact: http://www.thespec.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/181 Author: Joan Walters Page: 3 MEDICINAL POT BUST LIMITS OPTIONS FOR LEGIT USERS Michelle Kanashiro is concerned after the bust of a Hamilton criminal organization that police say used Canada's medical marijuana program as a front for alleged drug trafficking. "These people have made us all look bad," said Kanashiro, who believes the charges further stigmatize legitimately licensed medical marijuana users. "We're not bad, we're sick." Kanashiro has used 10 to 15 grams of weed a day over the last three years for a roster of ailments that include hepatitis B, which has caused painful liver problems. She is one of about 28,000 people licensed by Health Canada to possess marijuana for medical purposes or to produce small amounts for themselves or others. Her marijuana arrives once a month from a retired botanist friend in British Columbia. "All we have to pay for is his hydro," she said. "He's doing it because he's our friend and he's our designated, licensed grower. It's all totally legitimate." Kanashiro uses weed for pain management, appetite enhancement and as a sleep aid because "it does all kinds of wonderful things for me. I'm almost 55 years old and who would have thought I'd be using marijuana at this age." She resents that abuse of the national marijuana licensing program means she soon will be unable to get her weed from the B.C. friend. Health Canada has said fraudulent use of licences prompted changes to the way patients access marijuana. Hoping to eliminate criminal exploitation of the system, Health Canada is ending personal production licences for marijuana in favour of licensed commercial growers who would be inspected and audited by Health Canada. "We're no longer going to have a choice," Kanashiro said. The Health Canada crackdown also bothers Ron Borer, a user with multiple sclerosis. "These people who abuse the system are affecting my ability to function," said Borer, a 40-year-old Burlington resident. Borer got his licence about five years ago with medical approvals from his neurologist and family doctor and found it instantly took away his pain. "I don't do it a lot but I'll have a little puff, not even a whole joint, when I'm having a bad day. I try not to do it too often." Borer gets his weed through Health Canada, one of the current options for licensed patients to access marijuana. He would have preferred to continue to get it that way. "I find it nice, easy and it's secure because it's through the government," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Matt