Pubdate: Tue, 13 Aug 2013
Source: Tribune, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2013, Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact: http://www.wellandtribune.ca/letters
Website: http://www.wellandtribune.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2807
Author: Victoria Gray

POT A GROWING BUSINESS

WELLAND - Marijuana is his medicine.

Without it, he finds it hard to function.

The 38- year-old operations analyst from Welland, who who asked that 
his name not be used, has struggled with severe anxiety and 
depression since he was a teenager and pot is the only thing that 
provides relief.

He has used several different medications to try to control his 
condition including Ativan, but found that left his head in a fog.

"I have a job where I need to think and string together a 
conversation without being all stoned," he said.

His doctor advised him to eat up to five grams of marijuana a day to 
help ease his anxiety and depression.

"I find the marijuana doesn't fog the brain." he said. "It has the 
same calming qualities, but I can still function at work. If it 
wasn't for that I wouldn't have a job today. It has really allowed me 
to be a functioning member of society."

But he may not be able to afford it for long.

Currently, a grower licensed by Health Canada sells the man his 
medication for $ 1 a gram, but by April 2014 large scale legal 
commercial marijuana grow ops could set up shop in Niagara and charge 
$ 8 to $ 10 a gram.

The Welland man doesn't think he'll be able to afford it and says he 
will have to try to getting it covered under his medical benefits or 
will buy it on the street when he can.

Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health announced new regulations for the 
distribution of medical marijuana in early June that will make pot 
farming a legitimate industry and wipe out home grow operations.

The federal government introduced the medical marijuana program in 
2001 and, at the time, there were less than 500 people across Canada 
growing pot in their homes for medical use. Now there are more than 
30,000 people authorized to grow weed according to Health Canada.

A press release from the agency said the increase had "unintended 
consequences for public health, safety and security as a result of 
allowing individuals to produce marijuana in their homes."

Under the new regulations, production will no longer take place in 
homes, but in commercial facilities to beef up public safety.

Rob Nicholson, Niagara Falls MP, formerly the minister of justice 
attorney general of Canada, said in an e-mail that medical marijuana 
distribution needs to be more controlled to ensure public safety.

"Our approach balances patient access with public safety. 
Unfortunately, the system was being abused, and that was having a 
real impact on public safety. Our government will continue to protect 
the health and safety of Canadians," he said.

Licensed producers will have to comply with regulations for quality 
control standards, maintain comprehensive records, inventories of 
marijuana, and security system to protect against selling it illegally.

They must send marijuana to registered clients through a secure 
courier, meaning storefronts or retail outlets are not allowed.

Grow ops must employ a quality assurance worker with "training, 
experience and technical knowledge."

Plants must be indoors and the site must have restricted- access 
areas, including all areas where a licensed activity is conducted 
with marijuana.

They must have around-the-clock video surveillance and employees must 
have valid security clearance, issued by the Ministry of Health.

Both in home and commercial sites will operate until March 31, 2014. 
After that, Health Canada will no longer produce and distribute 
marijuana for medical purposes.

Port Colborne Ward 4 coun. Barb Butters said she's had a few 
constituents complain about neighbours who may be applying to grow 
medical marijuana, but said there's not much the city can do about it 
if the federal government issue the license.

"We've asked staff for a report, so we can have the information about 
the regulations and what we should and shouldn't be doing and how 
this is going to affect the municipality. We don't have it yet. We 
expect it back shortly," she said.

She said dealing with pot farms is new territory for municipalities.

"It's legal," she said. "Th e zoning is appropriate and ( they are) 
not breaking any rules in doing this."

But Niagara Regional Police and local fire departments don't know how 
they will deal with the legal grow operations.

NRP Det. Dave Maniaci in the guns gangs and grows unit said specific 
regulations were sent to his office late July, but they haven't had 
time to go through it in-depth.

He said people are already applying to own the commercial businesses.

"It's my understanding as part of the application process for these 
commercial locations they have to make notifications to police, 
municipality and fire," he said. "A handful of people we are aware of 
to date have made the application."

He said legal grow operations were spread throughout the region, and 
despite the fact that he's happy pot won't continue to be grown in 
people's home, he's anxious to find out more about the protocols for 
inspections.

Port Colborne fire prevention officer Mike Bendia said he's heard 
rumors that Port Colborne residents may have applied, but couldn't confirm who.

He also said fire departments may not have anything to do with the 
commercialized operations, because if the government deems them 
agricultural operations it's no longer their realm.

"The fire code exempts farm properties because of the nature of what 
they do," he said. "A farm building with not more than one person 
during normal use and other areas are exempt from the requirements."

Niagara Falls fire Chief Lee Smith said he's confident the properties 
will be zones commercial because despite the agricultural nature of 
the business - it's exactly that - a business.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom