Pubdate: Fri, 27 Nov 2015 Source: Toronto Star (CN ON) Copyright: 2015 The Toronto Star Contact: http://www.thestar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456 Page: A20 Medical Marijuana GETTING IT WRONG The Ontario Government Was Wise to Quickly Reverse Its Policy on Medical Marijuana One can only wonder what Ontario's associate health minister, Dipika Damerla, was thinking when she introduced regulations this week that would have allowed medical marijuana users to smoke or "vape" cannabis any time, anywhere. Thankfully, it took her only one day to reverse direction and dump - for now - an addled rule that would have exempted medical pot users from the Smoke-Free Ontario Act. That act bans smoking in public places such as restaurants, bars, stores, movie theatres and offices. And, as of Jan. 1, it will also prevent people from vaping in public places. If the junior minister had kept the regulation in effect, Ontario would have been in the curious situation of forbidding people from vaping harmless peppermint-flavoured liquids in public spaces, but permitting clouds of cannabis - violating other people's right to a smoke-free environment. Under the proposed regulation, medical marijuana users would have been allowed to light up even in cars with children, subjecting them to second-hand cannabis in an enclosed vehicle. Others would have been exposed to secondhand smoke as well. Imagine sitting in a restaurant or movie theatre when someone lights up a joint beside you. Not only would you have been subjected to the smell of the fumes, which could ruin your own meal or outing, but there would have been a health risk. The Canadian Cancer Society warns that breathing in second-hand marijuana smoke can cause "an increased risk of cancer." The regulation also had business owners up in arms. They would have had the power to forbid smoking or vaping in their establishments. But it would have put them in the awkward position of enforcing a rule that gave medical marijuana users the right to light up anywhere. Would waiters and ushers in movie theatres be expected to demand to see marijuana prescriptions from users? So many unanswered questions. In fact, these regulations appear to have emerged in a puff of smoke. Restaurants Canada says they weren't consulted, and it's not clear who was. To be fair, those using medical marijuana say they simply want the opportunity to take their drug as prescribed. "I just want patients' rights to be respected and understood," said Jonathan Zaid, executive director of Canadians for Fair Access to Medical Marijuana. But in this case the government got the balance wrong. Even Renu Mandhane, head of the Ontario Human Rights Commission, carefully noted that accommodating medical marijuana users doesn't mean brushing aside the rights of everyone else. "The health and safety of others is a factor in determining accommodation," she told the Star. Damerla now says she plans to see "if this regulation is the best way to move forward." We can tell her right now: No. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom