Designated Growers Corner

[baldhead]

from http://www.vancouverobserver.com/blogs/thescene/smoke-signals-medical-marijuana-canada

Smoke signals: Medical marijuana in Canada

UBC Reports
Posted: Feb 14th, 2013


Zach Walsh, assistant professor of psychology, is co-director of the Centre for the Advancement of Psychological Science and Law at UBC’s Okanagan campus, and recently completed a major study on medical cannabis. UBC Reports asked him to shed some light on the Canadian medical marijuana debate.

Assist. Prof. Zach Walsh wants research to help assess and harness marijuana's therapeutic potential.


Why is medical marijuana such a hot topic in the news?

Recent developments in the U.S. and Canada, and across the globe really, have prompted a fresh look at cannabis use and the social, legal and medical status of the ancient and controversial plant. After decades of stigma and marginalization, superstition surrounding cannabis is being replaced by scientific research.


The federal government is proposing new guidelines for medical marijuana. What are the implications?

There are some potentially positive developments, and some not so positive. Everyone seems happy that the federal government is getting away from the business of supplying medicinal cannabis. It was just not working. The proposed changes will allow for diverse strains of cannabis to be grown, and should also allow people with substantial expertise to grow medicinal cannabis, so that is good. What’s also good is that we hope there will be a place for dispensaries for distribution. There is concern the new guidelines will no longer allow individuals to grow their own cannabis, which was affordable and empowering for some patients. How it eventually teases out remains to be seen.


What research into medical cannabis is UBC involved in?

The main issue is how to most effectively assess and harness the therapeutic potential of this important medicine. To do this, we need a better grasp of the therapeutic use of cannabis in the community. Our team at UBC, together with the Canadian Aids Society, BeKind Okanagan Growers and Compassion Club, and medical cannabis patient groups, recently wrapped up the Cannabis Access for Medical Purposes Study (CAMPS), funded by the UBC Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention. CAMPS is the most comprehensive study to date of cannabis use and attitudes among medical cannabis consumers in Canada. More than 600 Canadians who report using cannabis for medical purposes were surveyed. Respondents included both those authorized by Health Canada and medical users outside of the federal program.


Is access to medical cannabis a problem?

The majority of participants reported experiencing substantial barriers to accessing cannabis for therapeutic purposes, and further reported that these barriers negatively impacted their quality of life. These patients report finding cannabis to be an effective treatment for symptoms of diverse disorders such as chronic pain, arthritis, multiple sclerosis and depression—despite these barriers to access. With regard to pain, CAMPS results suggest that many patients prefer cannabis to opiate-based painkillers, due to its greater impact on symptoms and more tolerable side effects.

The study also found few differences between patients who access cannabis through the federal program and those who come to possess cannabis by other means. When many seriously ill Canadians are choosing to access their medicine though an illegal market rather than participating in a program they deem cumbersome and ineffective, it suggests that safe and consistent access is a real problem.


What are the alternatives to the Health Canada program?

Dispensaries, also called “compassion clubs,” currently provide cannabis-based medicines, education and other supports to between 25,000 and 50,000 patients in Canada, a significant number of them in B.C. My students and I have partnered with Rielle Capler, representing the Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries (CAMCD), and Philippe Lucas of Canadians for Safe Access, for a three-year Medical Cannabis: Standards, Engagement, Evaluation and Dissemination (SEED) research project funded by the Peter Wall Solutions Initiative. The SEED study is designed to help CAMCD develop, implement and assess a system of standards for medical cannabis dispensaries. The development of consistent standards for dispensaries will help ensure product safety and promote education regarding appropriate use.


So where is this initiative going?

This project got off to a strong start last summer through consultations with community stakeholders, policy-makers, patients and dispensaries in downtown Vancouver. For the first time, representatives from B.C.’s more than 20 dispensaries gathered to discuss self-regulation, and contribute to the development of preliminary standards that will be assessed, revised and implemented across the final two years of the project.


What is next on the agenda?

My colleagues and I have initiated several studies examining the therapeutic, recreational, and problematic use of one of Canada’s most popular drugs. These include an examination of the role of cannabis in the complex relationships among depression, anxiety and pain, a study aimed at refining our understanding of how cannabis use relates to the use of other substances, and a longitudinal investigation of how personality factors influence patterns of recreational cannabis use among university students.


Together, this research will help inform the academic community and policy makers in Canada and around the globe about future directions for this ancient but still controversial plant.

 

[baldhead]

from http://www.vancouversun.com/news/licenses+most+growers+users/7962987/story.html

B.C. licenses most growers, users

Police grapple with production surge under current system, which is 'open to abuse'


By Kim Bolan, Vancouver Sun February 14, 2013 1:05 AM


The total number of medical marijuana possession and production licences in B.C. almost tripled in 2012, to 24,963 from 9,097, Health Canada statistics show.

B.C. now has more licensed medical marijuana users and growers than any other Canadian province, with B.C. residents holding more than half of Canadian licences.

By Dec. 31, there were 13,362 licences to possess medical pot issued to B.C. residents, up from just 4,928 on Jan. 31, 2012.

Health Canada more than tripled the number of licences provided to B.C. residents to grow their own medical marijuana to a total of 9,369 at the end of the year, from 2,987 just 11 months earlier. The number of licences handed to people designated to grow medical marijuana for others almost doubled.

While the federal government has announced changes to how medical marijuana will be produced starting in 2014, police agencies in B.C. are still dealing with issues arising from legal marijuana growing operations.

On Tuesday, Abbotsford police raided a marijuana grow operation that had more than eight times the number of plants it was entitled to grow under a medical marijuana licence.

Const. Ian MacDonald said officers from the APD Drug Enforcement Unit and Emergency Response Team had prepared a warrant for the house in northwest Abbotsford without knowing there was a medical marijuana licence. He said police had asked Health Canada twice about the property in question but got no confirmation about whether there was a pot production licence on the premises.

"As a result, the warrant was executed and a marijuana grow operation and male were located on the property," MacDonald said.

"A total of 295 marijuana plants were found on site. Through discussions with the man and Health Canada, it was determined that a recent licence had been granted for the production of 35 plants."

MacDonald said police seized the extra 260 plants.

"He said the 35 plants weren't budding as much as he expected," MacDonald said of the man's explanation for the excess pot.

Earlier Tuesday, Abbotsford firefighters and police attended a dangerous fire connected to another Health Canada-sanctioned marijuana grow operation.

"Twice in a single day, Abbotsford Emergency Services were deployed to deal with issues that appear to fall ultimately under the broader responsibilities of Health Canada and the proper regulation and inspection of licensed marijuana grow operations," MacDonald said. Health Canada spokesman Stephane Shank said Wednesday that the government has already announced reforms to medical marijuana operations over concerns from police, firefighters and mayors across the country.

The new rules, which will hand over production to licensed commercial growers, will be fully implemented by April 2014.

"We recognize and acknowledge the fact that the current program is open to abuse," Shank said.

He said he didn't have information available on the number of Health Canada inspectors in B.C. who monitor marijuana grow operations here.

MacDonald said in an interview that the department has found an increasing number of marijuana grow operations under investigation that are later determined to have a Health Canada licence.

He said that over the last year to 18 months, investigators have documented that approximately 75 per cent of the marijuana sites that police have come upon have production licences.

"That is a huge spike in numbers," MacDonald said.

 

[baldhead]

from http://www.vancouversun.com/news/licenses+most+growers+users/7962987/story.html

B.C. licenses most growers, users

Police grapple with production surge under current system, which is 'open to abuse'


By Kim Bolan, Vancouver Sun February 14, 2013 1:05 AM


The total number of medical marijuana possession and production licences in B.C. almost tripled in 2012, to 24,963 from 9,097, Health Canada statistics show.

B.C. now has more licensed medical marijuana users and growers than any other Canadian province, with B.C. residents holding more than half of Canadian licences.

By Dec. 31, there were 13,362 licences to possess medical pot issued to B.C. residents, up from just 4,928 on Jan. 31, 2012.

Health Canada more than tripled the number of licences provided to B.C. residents to grow their own medical marijuana to a total of 9,369 at the end of the year, from 2,987 just 11 months earlier. The number of licences handed to people designated to grow medical marijuana for others almost doubled.

While the federal government has announced changes to how medical marijuana will be produced starting in 2014, police agencies in B.C. are still dealing with issues arising from legal marijuana growing operations.

On Tuesday, Abbotsford police raided a marijuana grow operation that had more than eight times the number of plants it was entitled to grow under a medical marijuana licence.

Const. Ian MacDonald said officers from the APD Drug Enforcement Unit and Emergency Response Team had prepared a warrant for the house in northwest Abbotsford without knowing there was a medical marijuana licence. He said police had asked Health Canada twice about the property in question but got no confirmation about whether there was a pot production licence on the premises.

"As a result, the warrant was executed and a marijuana grow operation and male were located on the property," MacDonald said.

"A total of 295 marijuana plants were found on site. Through discussions with the man and Health Canada, it was determined that a recent licence had been granted for the production of 35 plants."

MacDonald said police seized the extra 260 plants.

"He said the 35 plants weren't budding as much as he expected," MacDonald said of the man's explanation for the excess pot.

Earlier Tuesday, Abbotsford firefighters and police attended a dangerous fire connected to another Health Canada-sanctioned marijuana grow operation.

"Twice in a single day, Abbotsford Emergency Services were deployed to deal with issues that appear to fall ultimately under the broader responsibilities of Health Canada and the proper regulation and inspection of licensed marijuana grow operations," MacDonald said. Health Canada spokesman Stephane Shank said Wednesday that the government has already announced reforms to medical marijuana operations over concerns from police, firefighters and mayors across the country.

The new rules, which will hand over production to licensed commercial growers, will be fully implemented by April 2014.

"We recognize and acknowledge the fact that the current program is open to abuse," Shank said.

He said he didn't have information available on the number of Health Canada inspectors in B.C. who monitor marijuana grow operations here.

MacDonald said in an interview that the department has found an increasing number of marijuana grow operations under investigation that are later determined to have a Health Canada licence.

He said that over the last year to 18 months, investigators have documented that approximately 75 per cent of the marijuana sites that police have come upon have production licences.

"That is a huge spike in numbers," MacDonald said.

 

[baldhead]

http://www.fightthemmpr.ca

 

[baldhead]

from http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/canada/archives/2013/02/20130215-181137.html

Closed Ontario jail could become medical marijuana facility

6:11 pm, February 15th, 2013

MILLBROOK CORRECTIONAL CENTRE
Credits: BRENDAN WEDLEY/QMI AGENCY


BRENDAN WEDLEY | QMI AGENCY

PETERBOROUGH, ON - Cavan Monaghan Township is considering setting up a medical marijuana grow operation at the former Millbrook Correctional Centre.

The township's council recently voted to have the municipality's staff work with the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corp. and the Innovation Cluster at Trent University to explore the possible reuse of the former jail and Health Canada's update of the regulations for growing medical marijuana.

Deputy Mayor Scott McFadden raised the idea of the municipality partnering with a private-sector company to grow medical marijuana at the former jail southwest of Peterborough.

"It already comes with security," he noted. "It used to be used for keeping people in. In this sense, it would be used for keeping people out."

The provincial government closed the facility on the 105.8-acre property at the west end of the village of Millbrook in May 2003. It's undertaking an environmental assessment of the former jail property.

Under McFadden's vision, the township would acquire the property from the province then find a private-sector partner. Together, they would take advantage of new regulations on the growing of medical marijuana.

The regulations appear to eliminate the home-based growing of medical marijuana, McFadden said.

"You're going to have to get medical marijuana from commercial growers who are licensed through the federal government," he said. "That creates this market."

Others in the community have put forward other possible reuses of the former jail property, including using the site for an athletics complex and a recreational facility.

But with the township planning for the possibility of the relocation of the OLG Slots at Kawartha Downs facility to Peterborough - and the loss of the revenue as the host municipality - McFadden views a medical marijuana grow operation as a way to create jobs and generate money for the municipality.

The municipality stands to lose about $3.4 million a year if the slots facility moves to Peterborough.

Clearly the municipality is looking for additional revenue, McFadden said.

"It's about time that municipalities start thinking outside of the box when it comes to generating revenues as opposed to always going back to the taxpayers to generate more taxes," he said.

The former jail property includes about 10 buildings with a 23-foot-tall masonry wall and six watchtowers around the complex.

"It's very limited on what you can do with a former prison," McFadden said.

 

[supernuck]

I was curious to see if there was anyone here who is now producing their own medicine, who may have been in a similar situation as me.

In 2001 my doctor put me on anti depressants and anti anxiety medications. They did not help my symptoms/issues and aside from all their nasty side effects I was also unable to control my temper and emotional responses to most situations. Gradually I was able to get off the meds but it was rough, they were the worst things I have ever taken! For the past 10+ years I have used marijuana to help with these issues and for me, it works amazingly well. The doctor who I originally saw is 100% not pot friendly in any way shape or form. I would not even bother starting this discussion with him as it would be a complete waste of time.

Are issues like this acceptable to Health Canada when it comes to obtaining a license? I wouldn't even know where to start looking to find a doctor locally (Manitoba) to talk to about this sort of thing, can anyone offer some advice? All I would like to do is produce a small supply of meds for myself in my own home, 1-2 grams per day is more than sufficient for my needs. In the past I have grown my own meds (illegally) but as I get older, have my own home, my own business etc I am leery of doing so again and losing the results of years of hard work. Any info or help anyone could offer would be awesome, thanks

 

[tralfaz]

should be able to, there is doctors signing for anything right now to milk abit of money off people before the end of the game.

there is a doctor who sits at a grow store in Winnipeg and signs licensees every other weekend

 

[Canada]

I was curious to see if there was anyone here who is now producing their own medicine, who may have been in a similar situation as me.

In 2001 my doctor put me on anti depressants and anti anxiety medications. They did not help my symptoms/issues and aside from all their nasty side effects I was also unable to control my temper and emotional responses to most situations. Gradually I was able to get off the meds but it was rough, they were the worst things I have ever taken! For the past 10+ years I have used marijuana to help with these issues and for me, it works amazingly well. The doctor who I originally saw is 100% not pot friendly in any way shape or form. I would not even bother starting this discussion with him as it would be a complete waste of time.

Are issues like this acceptable to Health Canada when it comes to obtaining a license? I wouldn't even know where to start looking to find a doctor locally (Manitoba) to talk to about this sort of thing, can anyone offer some advice? All I would like to do is produce a small supply of meds for myself in my own home, 1-2 grams per day is more than sufficient for my needs. In the past I have grown my own meds (illegally) but as I get older, have my own home, my own business etc I am leery of doing so again and losing the results of years of hard work. Any info or help anyone could offer would be awesome, thanks

If you been seen by a specialist for depression then get a copy of your medical file and contact a clinic . Try mmas.ca . go throught your medical file and fax anything to do with your condition to the clinic and they will tell you in a few days weather or not you qualify . If you do in fact qualify you will have to pay $ 250 - $800 depending . It does take a while to get everything in order so get on it now you may get grandfathered if health canada does in fact take away ppl and dgl ? good luck

 

[diffusing]

hey guys.

don't know if this is the correct spot for this.. but since the DG appears to be going away, and the LP taking over.. I believe chimera said there were consultants to hep guide through the new regulations here in canada.

My questions are, #1 are any of you planning on going the LP route? And what have you done so far? Any successes? and #2, who are these consultants Chimera spoke of?

thx

 

[Rabbi]

hey guys.

don't know if this is the correct spot for this.. but since the DG appears to be going away, and the LP taking over.. I believe chimera said there were consultants to hep guide through the new regulations here in canada.

My questions are, #1 are any of you planning on going the LP route? And what have you done so far? Any successes? and #2, who are these consultants Chimera spoke of?

thx

great questions. I too am curious about these.

 

[Pangea]

I will provide consultation to folks interested about licensed production in exchange for med's

Or you can get free consultation from Health Canada about any inquiry by emailing [email protected]

 

[diffusing]

Pangea - hahaha! classic shit! Dont know if there would be enough meds to satisfy you! and thx for the HC contact info, much appreciated.

 

[c-ray]

this story makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside

from http://www.terracestandard.com/news/190430751.html

Bob Erb backs pot campaign

Bob Erb, second from left in front row, financed and hosted a pot conference at Blackstones over the Feb. 2 weekend with activists like Dana Larsen of Sensible BC, third from right back row.

By Margaret Speirs - Terrace Standard
February 11, 2013

Millionaire lottery winner Bob Erb is backing a campaign to legalize marijuana with hundreds of thousands of dollars of his own money.

He spent more than $56,000 two weekends ago hosting a pot legalization conference at the Skeena Landing complex and is now focusing efforts on a national public relations campaign.

As well, Erb is backing a move by provincial pot activist Dana Larsen to have enough people sign a petition to then hold a referendum.

If passed, the referendum would have the provincial government of the day amend the provincial Police Act to stop the police from taking any action, including searches, seizures, citations or arrests, in cases of simple cannabis possession by adults.

Erb brought in nearly 20 pot advocates from across the country who were joined by a similar number of local people. He paid for airfare, accommodations, and refreshments for the weekend.

“What I told them [Feb. 3] is that I’ve done the easiest part, writing out cheques for $300,000. Now you have the hard part of doing the work,” said Erb.

“What I said was that I was the lucky SOB that won the $25 million. And I know that any of you, if you had won, would be doing the same as me right now.”

“What we will have now is a unified voice and standard right across the country.”

Every group represented received $10,000 for publicity, which includes updating their websites, said Erb.

Four of the groups – NORML Women’s Alliance of Canada, Calm Compassion Club of Toronto, the Herb Museum of Vancouver and Calgary 420 – formed a national organization named 420 and received $100,000 to organize events.

Four-twenty is an expression people have been using since the ‘70s and ‘80s to refer to going out to smoke a joint, said Erb.

It’s spawned large public smoke-ins on April 20 of each year.

T-shirts, literature, refreshments and tents will be provided at each event.

And any marketing and items for sale will have the name “Erb for Herb,” said Erb.

“Any money from Erb for Herb branding, any net income will 100 per cent go back into the legalization movement,” he said.

Erb is planning another conference here later this year, which will likely coincide with the launch of Larsen’s petition under the name of his Sensible BC organization.

“When I was smoking with Dana, I said ‘before Bob Erb won $25 million, what was your dream number you figured you needed monetary-wise to run an effective campaign?’” said Erb.

“He said ‘my dream number is $400,000 to $500,000.’ I said ‘let’s use $500,000 as your ideal to make it run successfully, to cover all the bases.’

“My next question was ‘how much did you think realistically you could’ve raised for this campaign?’”

The amount Larsen came up with was about $150,000, said Erb, adding he had earlier guaranteed Larsen at least $100,000 minimum from him, then upped the minimum he’d give to $250,000 for the campaign.

 

[c-ray]

an unlikely ambassador for dg's everwhere

http://bc.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=874371&playlistId=1.1175214&binId=1.821957&playlistPageNum=1

 

[tralfaz]

what in the hell is bc going to do with no weed industry what will all these yahoos that live out there do?

i guess the private prisons will be a blessing

 

[c-ray]

let's keep in mind no one knows how this is actually going to play out not even health canada or leona whatsherface.. speculation is just futile..

 

[teemu shalanie]

tralfaz_ , u dont know what u talking aboot ! , shit doesnt stop in bc just cause license may.
TS

 

[tralfaz]

teemu shalanie, it does for the inbred looking abbotsford folks because they will be sitting in prisons.

as most look to pounds and plants as dollar signs, others look criminals as dollar signs, tax payer will pay 60-100k/year per head.

lucrative hunting

 

[longearedfriend]

? licenses are ending ?

 

[Green Supreme]

Yes. Peace GS