Pubdate: Wed, 15 Nov 2017
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2017 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.torontosun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://torontosun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Joe Warmington
Page: 12

FANTINO IS A 'CONVERT'

Former top cop sings praises of medical weed

One was the chief of police for Toronto, London, York Region and the
OPP.

The other spent 34 years putting away bad guys as a member of the
RCMP, retiring as deputy commissioner of Federal and International
Policing.

In the past, if former police chief Julian Fantino or one-time RCMP
officer Raf Souccar were talking to you about cannabis, it would be
time to quickly head for the door or maybe even call a lawyer.

Not anymore.

Fantino and Souccar now fight for the benefits of marijuana: The legal
kind that is. The kind used for medical purposes.

"I have become a convert," said Fantino Tuesday. "It started to happen
when I was the (federal Conservative cabinet) minister working with
veterans and I saw firsthand how they were helped."

Added Souccar: "In my case, (it was) when I was working on the task 
force for the prime minister and I got an education on the benefits."

And, starting now, they are among the principles opening the Aleafia
Total Health Network flagship clinic in Vaughan that utilizes cannabis
to help people.

"It's a holistic approach," said Fantino. "It's making people
better."

As both defence minister and veterans affairs minister, as well as
being a chief of police for four services, Fantino saw the agony
military personnel went through during or after their
deployments.

"For some it's horrible," said Fantino. "There is sleep deprivation
and people in so much pain."

Souccar said the story of a young boy with epilepsy going from more
than 100 seizures a day to sometimes going for two weeks without one,
convinced him.

For many in need of medical relief, opiate products, prescribed or
otherwise, seemed to be the drug of choice, even though the addictive
pain killers have ruined lives.

"Legal cannabis in many cases can replace opioids," insisted
Souccar.

"We want to help people get off of opioids," added
Fantino.

But at Aleafia, the idea is to not rely on any one medicine or
approach. Medical cannabis is part of it - through traditional means
or through pills or oils.

"But cannabis will only be authorized for use by our patients who are
in need of that help. We will be offering chiropractic help here and
massage, as well as other medical approaches," said Souccar.

"The goal is to get people better," added Fantino.

It seems like a noble pursuit for both as well as their other partners
on this unique project.

But it has not come without its criticism or snickers. Some on social
media have used the word "hyprocrisy" to describe these two cops going
down the road of cannabis, which next year will become legal for
recreational use in Canada.

Of course, it's unfair.

But even I questioned them about it given they have both been strongly
opposed to the illegal use of marijuana. When he was a politician,
Fantino was also critical of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's push to
legalize the product.

Both are pretty used to hearing from the critics.

"We are in this to help people," insisted Souccar.

When you look at Aleafia closely, it does not in any way seem to be
related to next year's pot plans.

"It isn't," said Souccar. "Medical cannabis therapy has been legal in
Canada for 20 years and even if the legalization plans were to be
changed, it would not change what we are doing at Aleafia."

That said, both are aware of the "stigma" surrounding the drug and
"through education" are helping to bring about the same change in
thinking that happened to them.

When I checked out the critics, I quickly surmised it's pretty much
the same players that always target police. Fantino does not have to
apologize for wanting to help people who are suffering. Nor does Souccar.

They should be given a pat on the back.
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MAP posted-by: Matt