Pubdate: Fri, 04 Apr 2014
Source: Medicine Hat News (CN AB)
Copyright: 2014 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.medicinehatnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1833
Author: Alex McCuaig

MORE OPPOSITION TO POT REGULATIONS

A Medicine Hat owner of a marijuana paraphernalia store and regional
director of an organization looking to reform laws surrounding the
drug are voicing their concern of Canada's new medicinal pot laws.

Keith Fagin, prairies director for National Organization for the
Reform of Marijuana Laws Canada (NORML), says there are some good
things about the new Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR).

"The good thing is they're expanding from one commercial supplier over
the last 10 years to multiple commercial suppliers," said Fagin.

"They are allowing nurse practitioners to sign (applications), That's
another good part."

But Fagin says the new regulations, which came into effect on Monday,
don't allow for the purchase or use of marijuana products that can
easily be infused with food to allow for the drug to be ingested
rather than smoked.

"We're not allowed to do that except in B.C. because they got a court
order that's under appeal right now," said Fagin.

"There are no provisions in the new program for this, which is
completely inappropriate."

He says though, it is the price and quality issues with the product
raising the biggest concerns, with a B.C. Federal Court judge ruling
those who previously had a licence to grow their own marijuana can
continue to do so.

The federal government has launched an appeal of that
decision.

Fagin says those growing pot themselves can produce the drug for
between 50 cents and $2 a gram.

"One way or another, it's going to go to the Supreme Court," said
Fagin.

"So we'll be able to continue growing for the foreseeable future - we
think. There is no guarantee ... We are left up in the air here."

He says licence holders growing the drug themselves can also produce
strains to specifically address their ailments, whether it's for
epilepsy or MS.

Pattie Vivier, owner of Hemp Town Rock, says there are dozens if not
hundreds of Hatters who currently have medicinal marijuana licences to
deal with a range of reasons, from arthritis to cancer as well as a
span of ages from early 20s to mid 70s.

She says her customers dealing with terminal illness are also on
fixed-incomes with costs associated with travelling to Calgary for
treatment.

With the price of the drug currently around five times the cost of
what a person can produce it themselves, "that's a huge part of their
income," said Vivier.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D