Canada has a serious pot problem and it has nothing to do with the Conservative government's misguided 'tough on crime' stance, nor the debate over legalizing marijuana.
For thousands of Canadians, including more than 1,400 in B.C., pot is already legal, through a Health Canada licence to use medical marijuana.
The problems arise in how those legal users are mandated to obtain their medication.
Many people do so through what are known as compassion clubs, which supply a variety of marijuana-based products.
Technically, such organizations are illegal and are not sanctioned by Health Canada.
Thus, they require law enforcement agencies' co-operation – basically turning a blind eye – to continue operations.
Legally, Health Canada is the only organization that can supply seeds or marijuana itself for medical use.
But the product it supplies, according to most approved users, is bunk (urban slang for bad weed).
Furthermore, they say the federal agency supplies only one product, while users need to try a variety to find the one that works best for their particular medical needs.
Clearly, there are major improvements needed. The current system is not working.
In fact, it is set up to force thousands of otherwise law-abiding citizens to break the law.
If people can be approved for legal use of marijuana, they need a viable, legal source to get that marijuana. Better regulations are needed to ensure medically necessary pot can be acquired.
Until the federal government takes responsibility and makes the necessary improvements, thousands of Canadians will continue to break the law unnecessarily.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: BCLocalNews.com
Copyright: 2010 Black Press
For thousands of Canadians, including more than 1,400 in B.C., pot is already legal, through a Health Canada licence to use medical marijuana.
The problems arise in how those legal users are mandated to obtain their medication.
Many people do so through what are known as compassion clubs, which supply a variety of marijuana-based products.
Technically, such organizations are illegal and are not sanctioned by Health Canada.
Thus, they require law enforcement agencies' co-operation – basically turning a blind eye – to continue operations.
Legally, Health Canada is the only organization that can supply seeds or marijuana itself for medical use.
But the product it supplies, according to most approved users, is bunk (urban slang for bad weed).
Furthermore, they say the federal agency supplies only one product, while users need to try a variety to find the one that works best for their particular medical needs.
Clearly, there are major improvements needed. The current system is not working.
In fact, it is set up to force thousands of otherwise law-abiding citizens to break the law.
If people can be approved for legal use of marijuana, they need a viable, legal source to get that marijuana. Better regulations are needed to ensure medically necessary pot can be acquired.
Until the federal government takes responsibility and makes the necessary improvements, thousands of Canadians will continue to break the law unnecessarily.
NewsHawk: Ganjarden: 420 MAGAZINE
Source: BCLocalNews.com
Copyright: 2010 Black Press
