Pubdate: Tue, 28 Aug 2001
Source: Kamloops Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 Kamloops Daily News
Contact:  http://www.southam.com/kamloopsdailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/679
Author: Michele Young
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjparty.htm (Canadian Marijuana Party)

POT SOURCE MAY BE OPEN SOON

People who qualify for medical marijuana could find a storefront 
source in Kamloops within a few weeks.

Julian Gushulak, who ran for the B.C. Marijuana Party in last 
spring's provincial election, said Monday he's looking for a location 
for the Kamloops Compassion Club and expects to have an address for 
it in about two weeks.

The project is being backed by the party's president, Mark Emery, and 
Gushulak said he'll eventually apply for non-profit society status 
for the club.

Club members must fill out application forms and must have legitimate 
health problems, said Gushulak, who himself suffered a serious 
industrial accident eight years ago and smokes pot to relieve pain 
and improve his appetite.

The club will be up and running before Health Canada has fully dealt 
with how to handle the medical marijuana issue. Gushulak said those 
who are suffering and in pain can't wait for Ottawa to iron out the 
details.

"We can't wait for the government any more," he said.

"It's not going to be a free for all. =D6 We're going to know the 
clients' needs and usage."

He envisioned the club with a reception area for those who have 
questions or want answers, as well as a separate room where members 
would get organically grown marijuana for smoking or in other forms 
such as cookies, butter, oil or tincture.

"It would be more like a health store than a pharmacy," he said

He added he is already gathering names of people with medical 
problems seeking relief. There will be no drug use on the premises.

"I've got probably 25 people I've been talking to since the election 
in connection with this."

The party is providing funding, but as a proviso is insisting there 
be a security system at the club.

Gushulak said the Marijuana Party has lawyers to protect the clubs 
and the growers providing the various forms of pot.

"I realize that it's not a fully legal thing. But it's not fully 
illegal, either," he said. "I call it a semi-legal state, myself." 
Gushulak, a marijuana user of 34 years, said he has been busted eight 
times for having the drug in his possession. He's not worried about 
getting caught again, especially because of the ambiguous state it's 
in now that the federal government has legalized marijuana for some 
medical use.

"We're going to follow as closely to government guidelines as 
possible," he said.

"Definitely nobody wants to go to jail."

Paul Lagace of the AIDS Society of Kamloops said his organization is 
not commenting on the medical marijuana issue at this time.

Staff Sgt. Randy Brown of the Kamloops RCMP said he'd have to look 
into the issue before he could comment on how the police will deal 
with the club.
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