Pot Planning is Budding

The former B.C. Marijuana Party candidate for Nanaimo is in the planning
stages of setting up a compassionate club to distribute marijuana to the
Island's chronically ill.

"What we're looking at is setting up a full network across B.C. by
September," Lavallee says.

Lavallee got 809 votes in the May provincial election, less than a tenth of
what Liberal candidate Mike Hunter garnered to win a seat.

But Lavallee says the party grabbed enough support provincially to proceed
with plans to make inexpensive, pesticide-free medical-grade cannabis
available to sick people who need it.

Compassionate clubs will provide marijuana to cancer patients, arthritics,
chronic pain sufferers - anyone who can prove their doctor knows they are
using marijuana for medical reasons.

"The basic thing is, as long as your doctor acknowledges you're using it.
It doesn't mean he's prescribing it, it just means he knows you're using
it," Lavallee says.

Lavallee cites support from the Canadian Charter of Rights, which allows
patients to choose their preferred form of medical treatment.

Once up and running, compassionate clubs will sell pot for $7 a gram, less
than the black market price range of $240 to $300 for a one-ounce (28-gm)
bag.

The plan is to set up a non-profit organization to sell the drug at cost,
with enough money left over to pay for its distribution.

"I've already had one supplier approach me saying he'd rather supply it
locally, rather than shipping it off to the U.S. He's willing to sell it to
me at $150 an ounce, which means we can pass that on."

As to the legalities of distributing what is still an illegal substance,
Lavallee is confident RCMP will look the other way, if it is for medical
use.

Next month Lavallee, who is a B.C. Ferries chef, will attend a conference
in Kelowna aimed at gearing up for the establishment of 10 compassionate
clubs around the province by late summer.

"It's quite exciting," Lavallee says.

"I'm glad to be in a position where I can help people."


Newshawk: Herb
Pubdate: June 18, 2001
Source: Nanaimo News-Bulletin (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 Nanaimo News-Bulletin
Contact: bulletin@island.net
Address: 777B Poplar St. Naniamo, B.C. V9S 2H7
Fax: (250) 753-0788
Website: http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/
Author: Darrell Bellaart