Pubdate: Thu, 14 Jan 2016
Source: Peterborough Examiner, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Peterborough Examiner
Contact: http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/letters
Website: http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2616
Author: Valerie MacDonald
Page: 8

RUDD'S OFFICE GETS PACKAGE CONTAINING MARIJUANA

NORTHUMBERLAND - Northumberland-Peterborough South MP Kim Rudd wasn't 
in her Cobourg office when a post-New Year's present arrived last 
week: a plastic bag containing marijuana.

Rudd is just the latest in a series of MPs across the country whom 
author Dana Larsen has written, including in his package a copy of 
his book, Cannabis in Canada: the Illustrated History, plus some of 
the actual topic of his book, in dried form.

Rudd's communications director Jamie Simmons told Northumberland 
Today in an interview they had heard "someone was sending marijuana to MPs."

Then the local MP's office received a call from a person who asked if 
it had arrived yet.

"Within a couple of days it showed up," he said.

It was addressed to the MP but, per the usual procedure, it was 
opened by one of the constituent assistants. Rudd was elsewhere at 
the time, Simmons said.

The letter explained the contents in the plastic as medical-grade marijuana.

Although in a published interview Larsen stated that he didn't think 
any Liberal MP would contact the police over a gram of marijuana.

Simmons, though, said he immediately called the Cobourg Police.

"It's an illegal substance," he said, adding they couldn't be sure of 
the contents.

The police took the marijuana and Larsen's book.

Simmons said he took pictures of everything that arrived and provided 
a copy of the letter to this newspaper from Larsen, sent from 
Vancouver, B.C. and simply addressed: "Dear Liberal MP".

Because the Liberals said during the election they are in favour of 
legalizing cannabis, he wrote, the book was part of his present.

"The goal of this book is to teach Canadians about the long history 
of cannabis in our country, and I hope it will help inform your 
government's policies as you move Canada toward legalization," 
Larsen's letter stated.

"I am also enclosing one gram of medical-grade cannabis for you or 
your staff member to enjoy. I wanted to give you a chance to 
re-familiarize yourself with the pleasant effects of cannabis, and to 
remember why so many Canadians use cannabis for its medicinal, social 
and spiritual effects."

The strain, the letter continues is a "hybrid cross" between Afghani 
and Haze to reduce stress, pain and improve sleep.

There was no date on Larsen's letter but it concludes by wishing the 
MP "a Merry-Juana Christmas and a Hempy New Year."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom