Pubdate: Tue, 18 Mar 2014
Source: Regina Leader-Post (CN SN)
Copyright: 2014 The Leader-Post Ltd.
Website: http://www.leaderpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/361
Page: B6

MEDICAL POT USERS TOLD TO DUMP HOMEGROWN STASH

OTTAWA - Health Canada says it will tell police if medical marijuana
users fail to declare that 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.

Starting 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.

Those who now possess or grow marijuana under the old rules must
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 odour, and
putting it out with the trash.

It is sending letters to those enrolled under the old rules to say
they must submit a signed form by April 30 confirming they have
stopped growing pot.

Users are required to list the number of plants - and the number of
grams of dried marijuana and seeds - they have destroyed.

The 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 designated person do so.

They argue the new system would deny them an affordable supply of the
strain of marijuana that meets their medical needs.

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.

- - The Canadian Press
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MAP posted-by: Matt