Pubdate: Tue, 14 Apr 2015
Source: Regina Leader-Post (CN SN)
Copyright: 2015 The Leader-Post Ltd.
Website: http://www.leaderpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/361
Author: Charles Hamilton
Page: 4

STUDENT CHALLENGES SCHOOLS ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA

SASKATOON - A student who was banned from using pot while at school is
not done fighting the decision.

"I'm not any different than any other person who has been prescribed
any other drug," Michael Wileniec said.

Late last year, Wileniec was banned from attending classes at Nutana
Collegiate while under the influence of his medically prescribed marijuana.

Wileniec has a rare bone condition called hereditary multiple
exostoses; he says the only thing that relieves the pain is medically
prescribed pot. Since he was told he can no longer take his medicine
while attending classes, he said he's been forced to do much of his
schoolwork at home.

Wileniec's lawyer, Heather Funk, said preventing the 21-year-old from
using his medically prescribed marijuana constitutes a violation of
his human rights. Wileniec has filed a complaint with the Saskatchewan
Human Rights Commission.

"It's almost like we are stepping back in time if you say that someone
with a disability can't engage in the mainstream. You are losing what
you fought so hard for," Funk said.

She compared Wileniec's struggle to that of people who fought for
other disability accommodations which are now commonplace.

"It's like telling someone who is in a wheelchair and doesn't want to
be carried to every class that it is too expensive to build a ramp,"
Funk said.

Her client is simply asking for Saskatoon Public Schools to allow
Wileniec to use his medical marijuana in the nurse's office, under the
nurse's supervision, she said. Wileniec said he vaporizes his
marijuana and uses what is called a "smoke buddy" so there is no smell
even if he uses the marijuana indoors.

His father, Mark Wileniec, said his son uses his medical marijuana
indoors at the family home without anyone else noticing. No one from
Saskatoon Public Schools could be reached for comment Monday.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt