Pubdate: Fri, 01 Apr 2005
Source: Langley Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 BC Newspaper Group and New Media Development
Contact:  http://www.langleytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1230
Author: Tracy Holmes
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada)

RESIDENTS WARNED OF MARIJUANA SCAM

White Rock RCMP are again advising residents to beware of scams, after a 
complaint about an ad seeking marijuana growers.

Const. Raina Siou said last week she is investigating a classified ad which 
appeared in The Times' sister paper, The Peace Arch News. It read: 'PARTI 
Marijuana Party. Seeking electoral candidates in every district to operate 
Medicinal Cannabis Home Delivery. Will train growers for patients. Highest 
quality. Lowest Price.' It included a Cloverdale phone number.

Siou said the complainant contacted the advertiser because he was 
interested in becoming a grower for a friend who uses medicinal marijuana.

The man asked the caller to meet him at a Langley pub, said he worked for a 
government office, bought him a beer, and said he could set him up within 
three days with a licence to grow marijuana.

All for $2,500.

"The guy only gives his first name," Siou said.

"(The advertiser) has called this kid back four times in 24 hours. You 
wouldn't be this desperate if you were legitimate. Don't fall prey to it." 
Health Canada's Marijuana Medical Access Regulations, implemented in 2001, 
allow access to marijuana by people suffering from grave and debilitating 
illness.

The regulations encompass authorizations to possess marijuana for medical 
purposes, and licences to produce it.

People can receive, through an application process, permission to get 
medical marijuana from government, to grow it for personal use, or to name 
someone to grow the drug for them.

The Office of Cannabis Medical Access said, as of Jan. 7, 773 people in 
Canada are permitted medical marijuana. Another 552 can grow it for 
personal use, or for one other person.

The only contract for mass production is held by Flin Flon, Man.-based 
Prairie Plant Systems, Inc.

"Under the current legislation, no individual is licensed to supply 
marijuana other than those authorized to grow it for another person," 
Health Canada's Catherine Saunders said last week.

And only government can grant that authorization, she said.

While the Marijuana Party of B.C. did not place the ad, party campaign 
manager Kirk Tousaw praised it for promoting the issue.

"I'd applaud any effort to get people active in helping the sick or getting 
involved in the political system," he said.

The party is hoping to field candidates in all 79 ridings in B.C.'s May 
election.

He confirmed the party did run a recent classified ad seeking potential 
candidates.

"It doesn't say anything about medicinal marijuana," Tousaw said. Nor does 
the text in an upcoming display ad that will run in 70 newspapers mention 
medical marijuana.

Saunders told police this is the first such scam reported in B.C., although 
similar complaints have been reported in Ontario.

In response to another complaint, Siou said RCMP are not soliciting for 
funds to keep children and youth off the street, help the underprivileged, 
or to support a fight to change legislation to keep those who commit 
offences against children in prison longer.

Siou said a woman called later to report persistent calls looking for 
donations to the cause.

It, too, is not legitimate.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D