Pubdate: Tue, 18 Mar 2014
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2014 The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Jim Bronskill
Page: A5

OTTAWA TO INFORM POLICE IF GROWERS FLOUT NEW RULES

Health Canada says it will tell police if medical marijuana users fail
to declare they have disposed of their homegrown stashes - a
requirement of strict new federal rules.

The department says it will share relevant information - including the
names and addresses of those who flout the new system - with law
enforcement.

Under the existing federal program, thousands of people have licences
to cultivate marijuana for personal use to help ease painful symptoms.

Beginning April 1, the government plans to allow only select
commercial producers to grow marijuana under "secure and sanitary
conditions" for postal distribution to medically approved patients.

Health Canada says anyone other than a licensed producer growing
marijuana as of that date is breaking the law.

It means those who now possess or grow marijuana under the old rules
must destroy and dispose of plants, seeds and dried pot by March 31.
The Health Department recommends breaking up plant material, blending
the marijuana with water, mixing it with cat litter to mask the
pungent odour, and putting it all out with the trash.

It is sending letters to those enrolled under the old rules that they
must submit a signed form by April 30 confirming they have stopped
growing pot. Users are also required to list the number of plants -
and the number of grams of dried marijuana and seeds - they have
destroyed. Those who fail to comply will be reported to police, Health
Canada says in a notice on its website.

The department will also "continue to co-operate with police, and
provide information needed to protect public safety, as appropriate."
However, it will stop short of providing municipalities with a list of
marijuana production sites that must shut down under the new rules,
saying such information is protected by federal privacy law.

The federal threat to involve police amounts to criminalizing
patients, said Legalize Canada, a group that plans to support federal
electoral candidates who endorse legalization of marijuana.

The Conservative government recently floated the prospect of allowing
police to ticket - instead of criminally charge - people for simple
pot possession, the group noted. "The hypocrisy is astounding." On
Tuesday, several British Columbia residents will ask the Federal Court
of Canada for an injunction that would allow them to continue
producing their own pot or have a specially designated person do so
for them.

They argue the planned new system would deny them a safe, affordable
supply of the particular strain of marijuana that meets their medical
needs. They also contend that denying people the right to produce
their own pot would violate their Charter of Rights guarantee of
"security of the person."

The number of people authorized to possess - and often grow -
marijuana under the federal program has risen to 37,000 this year from
fewer than 100 in 2001.

In a court document defending changes to the program, the government
says growing marijuana at home poses hazards such as mould and fire.

The government also rejects the constitutional argument, saying the
Charter does not guarantee the right to produce medication.
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