Pubdate: Wed, 02 Apr 2014
Source: Metro (Vancouver, CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3775
Author: Sam Smith

'JAM THE PHONES,' CRIES SENSIBLE BC

And nation responds.

Director says thousands called, faxed, mailed in complaints about new
medical marijuana law

Sensible BC led the charge for thousands of Canadians across the
country to challenge the new Marihuana Medical Access Program laws
which came into effect Tuesday, April 1.

Dana Larsen, director of Sensible BC, said thousands of people across
the nation protested the new regulations - which he said hurts
patients who require marijuana for medical reasons - by sending in
calls, faxes and letters to both Health Canada and the office of
Minister of Health Rona Ambrose.

"We want the government, Health Canada, and Rona Ambrose to know
there's Canadians all across the country who may not use medical
marijuana themselves that don't like this," Larsen said. "We want
people to make their voice heard, so today (Apr. 1) we're encouraging
the people to do what they think is right."

The campaign called for thousands of Canadians to "Jam the phones!"
and to have Ambrose's "phones all ringing off the hook all day long."

Larsen says their main complaint is not with federally licensed
grow-ops, but with the changes that would eliminate all personal pot
plant growing for previously approved patients.

"There's 10 licensed companies now, but that's not enough on hand to
service 40,000 medical marijuana patients," Larsen said. "I've talked
to some myself and they're just saying now they're just getting going."

By his account, Larsen predicts it will take up to a year for these
newly licensed operations to become fully operational, which in his
view is dangerous to those in need.

Health Canada does not endorse the use of marijuana, but the courts
have approved reasonable access for medicinal purposes.

"As a result, the government of Canada believes that this must be done
in a controlled fashion to protect public health and safety," the
federal government said in a press release.

They also state they have heard from various mayors, fire chiefs,
police officers, and community members that there were serious health
and safety concerns with the old program.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D