Pubdate: Fri, 29 Nov 2013
Source: Chronicle Herald (CN NS)
Contact:  2013 The Halifax Herald Limited
Website: http://thechronicleherald.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/180

TOKING MOUNTIE GETS SUPPORT

FREDERICTON (CP) -- The case of a New Brunswick Mountie who's 
reportedly been told he cannot smoke the drug while in uniform 
underscores the need for employers to better understand medicinal 
marijuana, an advocate for medical cannabis said Thursday.

Adam Greenblatt, president of the Canadian Association of Medical 
Cannabis Dispensaries, said the RCMP should ultimately allow Cpl. Ron 
Francis to smoke in uniform providing he is not impaired while working.

"If this officer was a diabetic, would they prevent him from using 
insulin on the job?" Greenblatt said from Montreal. "That's the way I see it."

Francis could not be reached for comment, but the CBC reported he 
told the network there's no RCMP policy that prevents him from 
smoking his doctor-prescribed, medical-grade marijuana in public or 
while wearing his red serge or regular uniform.

The CBC said Francis is assigned to administrative duties and was 
prescribed three grams of marijuana a day this month to treat 
post-traumatic stress disorder, though the Mountie doesn't smoke that 
amount and does not believe the drug has negatively affected his 
ability as an officer.

RCMP deputy commissioner Gilles Moreau told the CBC that Francis 
should not take his medication while in uniform and the RCMP is 
looking at its internal policies on the matter.

The RCMP said Moreau was not available to comment Thursday but it 
issued a statement in response.

"Any member on a mind-altering drug -- such as marijuana, OxyContin, 
Dilaudid -- is not permitted to perform operational duties, including 
carrying a firearm or operating a police vehicle, as this could pose 
a risk to themselves, a co-worker or the public," the RCMP said.

"We are continuously working to strengthen the support we can offer 
employees affected by operational stress injuries.

"The commissioner has made it clear both publicly and to the 
employees of the RCMP that if you get sick or injured on the job, we 
will look after you -- and we will do it fairly."

In a subsequent email, RCMP Sgt. Julie Gagnon said Mounties who are 
prescribed medicinal marijuana should not be in red serge or regular 
uniform while taking their medication.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom