Pubdate: Wed, 29 Oct 2008
Source: Cowichan News Leader (CN BC)
Copyright: 2008 Cowichan News Leader
Contact:  http://www.cowichannewsleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1314
Author: Krista Siefken
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Eric+Nash
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal - Canada)

GROWING NATIONAL DEMAND FOR MARIJUANA EXPERT ERIC NASH

Eric Nash sits quietly in a small room at the Duncan court offices. 
He's impeccably dressed in a black suit and burgundy tie, and with 
his glasses and closely cropped hair, he looks every bit the 
qualified court expert.

What's not immediately apparent is that this man's area of expertise 
is marijuana.

"We're beginning to become known by criminal defence lawyers across 
Canada as experts in our field," explains Nash, who along with 
partner Wendy Little grows certified organic medical marijuana 
through the Health Canada-licenced operation, Island Harvest, here in 
the valley.

"Wendy Little and I were first asked to submit a statement for the 
defence regarding marijuana production, crop yield and monetary value 
in March 2007 for a cultivation case in the Maritimes," said Nash. 
"On marijuana usage and supply issues, we first testified in Toronto in 2005."

Marijuana crop yield and monetary value are what brought Nash to the 
Duncan court house on Oct. 24.

Through videoconferencing technology, Nash was able to provide expert 
testimony in a St. John's, Newfoundland courtroom.

To date, Nash and Little have testified in more than 30 cases across 
Canada at the provincial court, supreme court and federal court levels.

"There is an increasing demand for our services as experts in the 
courts as more people find out about our experience from several 
years of marijuana production and distribution within Health Canada's 
medical marijuana access program," said Nash.

For example, he said two years ago he and Little would get one 
request every few months. Now they get daily e-mails from people and 
lawyers across the country.

"Because marijuana is B.C.'s third largest trade sector in the 
provincial economy and is such an integral part of culture and 
society, there will be a continued and escalating volume of legal 
work in this area due to the continued prohibition of this plant," Nash added.

As far as he knows, he and Little are the only defence experts able 
to speak to marijuana production, yield, usage and monetary value.

"There are other experts in Canada more specific to legal 
interpretations, medical application and drug policy," he explained.

For more information on Nash and Little's legal expertise regarding 
marijuana, visit www.marijuanalaws.ca.

Good News for Nash and Little

In 2005, Nash and Little testified in federal court in Ottawa on the 
matter of supply and consumption of medical marijuana in Canada. 
After three years of waiting, the verdict is in - and it's good news 
for the local marijuana growers.

"The federal government monopoly on marijuana supply is now legally 
and official over, effective (Monday) afternoon," Nash told the News 
Leader Pictorial. "What this means is that suppliers in Canada such 
as our company, Island Harvest, can now supply an unlimited number of 
medical cannabis consumers in Canada."

Until now, Nash and Little were permitted to supply medical marijuana 
to just one consumer each.

"This is incredible news for the medical marijuana consumer, for the 
cannabis agriculture industry and for the Canadian economy," Nash 
added. "This court decision is a bright light in dark economic times 
. Basically, this decision opens up and legitimizes a free and open 
Canadian medical cannabis market for suppliers, and it creates 
industry supply options and prince ranges for consumers."

Island Harvest Certified Organic Cannabis has been in operation in 
the valley since 2002, and was the first of its kind in Canada.

Owners Eric Nash and Wendy Little use certified organic soils and 
fertilizers during production of the plant, which is a safe bet for 
those who require marijuana for medical purposes.

Operations like Island Harvest are important, said Nash, because 
otherwise patients end up turning to the "unregulated street market 
for their medical supply, which can often contain hazardous 
chemicals, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides and fungicides."

Island Harvest has the support of Cowichan MP Jean Crowder, MLA Doug 
Routley and the City of Duncan's mayor and council. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake