Pubdate: Thu, 03 Oct 2013
Source: Creston Valley Advance (CN BC)
Contact:  2013 Black Press
Website: http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/crestonvalleyadvance/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1413
Author: Lorne Eckersley

CHANGES COMING FOR MEDICAL POT

Changes in 2014 to medical marijuana production will address some 
concerns, but create others, Creston RCMP Staff Sgt. Bob Gollan told 
Creston town council at the Sept. 24 regular meeting.

"The current system is being abused by criminal organizations," said Gollan.

He said that people with medical marijuana prescriptions are being 
recruited, as are doctors who will issue the prescriptions.

"Some doctors are prescribing the maximum - up to 60 grams a day - 
for their patients," he said. "This is enough for 30 joints a day."

A patient with a 60-gram prescription, or possession licence, can 
carry a three-day supply, 180 grams (0.4 pounds).

A medical marijuana prescription, which falls under the federal 
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Marijuana Medical Access 
Regulations (2001), is intended for end-of-life care or treatment of 
a debilitating medical symptom. Some doctors won't prescribe 
marijuana at all, Gollan said, while others can be quite liberal with 
prescriptions.

With a medical declaration in hand, a patient applies for a medical 
marijuana licence.

"Health Canada cannot refuse your application," he said. "With the 
possession licence, patients can purchase marijuana from a Health 
Canada-approved supplier, grow their own or designate someone else to 
grow it for them."

There are few restrictions for growing the plant within the law.

"You can grow it anywhere you want, except you cannot grow it inside 
a building and outside at the same time," he said.

Third-party growers have more hoops to jump through and must provide 
a criminal record check that shows they have had no criminal 
convictions on designated drug offences in the past 10 years.

"They can be convicted murderers under the law, but they can't have 
drug convictions."

Growers are restricted to growing for two people with a maximum of 
four licences. No restrictions are in place for location, except that 
outdoor plants near schools are prohibited, as are places frequented 
by children.

Low prices are regulated federally, which have served to push the 
cost of illegal sales down, Gollan said.

Current small production will become illegal on March 31, 2014. After 
that date, medical marijuana can only be purchased from licensed 
growers "at current market prices" ($8-$9 a gram). Licensed growers 
will have to meet strict conditions.

Gollan said he has taken a strong stand in supporting only 
applications that meet all conditions.

"Licensed growers will need to comply with strict operational 
requirements to demonstrate quality and service," he said.

Growers have to provide 24-hour manned security for facilities, which 
must meet all local health, building and zoning laws.

"There will be no more growing in homes," he said. "And Health Canada 
will regularly inspect all production facilities to guarantee the 
security, health and well being of patients and industry personnel."

The upside of the new regulations, he said, is that police and fire 
department personnel will know where the facilities are (Health 
Canada does not provide them with a list of approved growers now) and 
the quality of the product should be more consistent.

The higher price, though, could push street prices up, making illegal 
sales even more appealing to organized crime. Or medical marijuana 
users could be tempted to purchase cheaper marijuana from drug 
dealers rather than pay the higher price for the legal substance.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom