Pubdate: Thu, 14 Mar 2013
Source: Regina Leader-Post (CN SN)
Copyright: 2013 The Leader-Post Ltd.
Contact: http://www.leaderpost.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor.html
Website: http://www.leaderpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/361
Author: Terrence  McEachern

CONVICTION WOULD AFFECT MEDICAL MARIJUANA PRIVILEGES

Health Canada says that, if convicted of drug offences, a Regina man 
could have his medical marijuana privileges revoked for up to 10 years.

On Friday, Dale Patrick Baumet, owner of Regina's Vintage Vinyl and 
Hemp Emporium, was arrested and charged with several weapons offences 
as well as offences involving the production and possession of 
marijuana, hashish, hashish oil, magic mushrooms and LSD for the 
purpose of trafficking. Police also seized $53,000 in Canadian and 
Chinese currency.

Baumet, who has battled colon and lung cancer, is licensed to produce 
and possess medical marijuana in Canada.

Stephane Shank, a spokesman for Health Canada, said if a holder of a 
licence to produce marijuana is convicted of a marijuana-related drug 
offence, that person could have their licence revoked and not be 
eligible for a new licence for 10 years.

Shank added that an authorized licence holder can have up to 150 
grams of marijuana a month divided into five grams a day. Individuals 
with a licence to produce marijuana can store as much as 1.1 
kilograms for indoor growing operations and 3.75 kg for outdoor production.

At the time of Baumet's arrest, police allegedly seized 34 kg of marijuana.

Launched on July 30, 2001, Health Canada's medical marijuana program 
has grown from 500 to 26,000 authorized users. The program allows for 
the possession of dried marijuana as well as the ability to obtain a 
licence to produce marijuana for personal medical use or as a 
designated producer.

Along with the declaration of a medical doctor, the criteria for 
possession of medical marijuana includes symptoms for compassionate 
end-of-life care or specific conditions such as multiple sclerosis, 
spinal cord injury or disease, cancer, HIV/AIDS infection, severe 
forms of arthritis and epilepsy.

For personal-use production, Shank said the criteria involve being a 
Canadian resident 18 years old or older and be authorized to possess 
dried marijuana, whereas designated producers cannot have been found 
guilty of a designated drug offence 10 years prior to the application.

However, due to the system being "far too open to abuse," Shank said 
changes to the program are scheduled to take effect on March 31, 2014.

"While the courts have essentially said that there must be reasonable 
access to marijuana for medical purposes in Canada, Health Canada 
believes this must be done in a more controlled fashion," he explained.

Licensed producers would have to adhere to regulations from other 
levels of government, in particular, municipal zoning bylaws. Health 
Canada would also cease operating as a medical marijuana supplier and 
instead licence private businesses to perform the service. Another 
change is that marijuana production will no longer be permitted in the home.

But Shank notes one of the main reasons for the changes is to address 
the concern with medical marijuana being sold illegally. "This is 
where we in fact recognize that the current program is open to abuse," he said.

Also charged on Friday with similar offences was 52-year-old Jocelyne 
Lucy Fafard and Baumet's 22-year-old son Dylan Levi Baumet. Baumet's 
24-year-old daughter Janelle Ivy Baumet was charged with possession 
of marijuana and 36-year-old Collin Craig Middleton, one of Vintage 
Vinyl's managers, was charged with possession of marijuana for the 
purpose of trafficking and possession of the proceeds of crime. The 
accused have been released on court-ordered conditions are scheduled 
to be back in court.

The arrests occurred after search warrants were executed at Vintage 
Vinyl, a property at the 2400 block of 11th Ave. and a residence in 
the 0-100 block of Powell Place.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom