Pubdate: Tue, 16 Aug 2016
Source: Recorder & Times, The (CN ON)
Page: A1
Copyright: 2016 Recorder and Times
Contact: http://www.recorder.ca/letters
Website: http://www.recorder.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2216
Author: Nick Gardiner

TWEED WEED'S HELPING: USERS

'Shindig ' at Tweed plant celebrates medical marijuana's improved access

SMITHS FALLS - Used internally and externally, marijuana has relieved 
some severe ills for Innisville's Robert Stevenson.

Speaking from the 'vape-lounge' on a welcomed rainy Saturday at the 
Tweed marijuana plant's Front Yard Shindig here, Stevenson said 
traditional medicines didn't relieve his ailments.

He credits a cannabis ointment for clearing up a cancerous growth on 
his chest and the relaxing qualities of CBD from a pot plant for 
relieving frequent back spasms.

"I know when I'm getting it. My back starts feeling really sore. I 
smoke and it stops the spasm," said Stevenson.

He said he smokes one or two grams a day for the relief provided by 
the CBD (cannabidiol), which is credited for analgesic, 
anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties, without producing the 
psychoactive effects of marijuana.

That quality means there is no demand for CBD on the black market, so 
producers like Tweed are the only source, said Stevenson.

He's also confident of the benefits of a marijuana ointment he used 
for four months on a skin disorder his doctor believed was cancerous.

After the treatment, a biopsy came back with negative results.

"It cleared up. There was no cancer. So I know the oil works," he said.

Stevenson was eager to tell his story to celebrate the success of the 
Tweed operation and its role in providing medical marijuana products 
for people with an array of health concerns.

Another patient from Ottawa who identified himself only as Stephane 
credits cannabis products for relieving anxiety, depression and sleep 
apnea, while increasing his ability to adapt to social situations.

Traditional medications for those issues led to troubling side 
effects, he added.

For two years, he has been smoking medical marijuana and "there has 
been a huge difference," he said. "Everything in my life was drama. 
This allows me to relax."

A half-dozen people were making use of the rudimentary vape-lounge 
located to the south end of the Tweed's property.

It had a distant view of a stage where bands played a range of music 
for a crowd that fluctuated with the weather but had a steadfast core 
that stuck it out even in the worst of the rain.

Tweed president Mark Zekulin said the shindig is a community event 
but it was important to accommodate medical marijuana patients who 
utilize the company 's products.

At the same time, the vape lounge needed to be separated from the 
family and children's activities elsewhere, while users could come 
and go freely when not medicating.

He said the time was ripe for Tweed to hold another public event 
"just to hang out with the community."

The prospect of a medical marijuana facility three years ago was not 
universally accepted but the town and its municipal leaders were 
quick to support the development, he said.

It's paid off with considerable tax revenues for the town and put 
more than 100 people to work at the site, which is the headquarters 
for an operation that includes a couple of growing sites in Toronto 
and the Niagara region, said Zekulin.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom