Pubdate: Tue, 19 May 2009
Source: Nelson Daily News (CN BC)
Page: 4
Copyright: 2009 Nelson Daily News
Contact:  http://www.mapinc.org/media/288
Note: The newspaper does not have an active website.
Author: Shella Gardezi
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Marijuana - Medicinal - Canada)

GRAND FORKS COUNCIL DEBATES POT LEGALIZATION

After heated debate, council said no to a resolution calling for 
relaxed laws around medical marijuana.

Councillor Joy Davies asked council to bring a motion to the Union of 
British Columbia Municipalities ( UBCM ) calling for easier access to 
medical marijuana.  She said she was inspired to fight for patients 
after the suicide of a close friend on Dec.  1.

Her chronically-ill friend was denied access to medical marijuana by 
her doctor who wouldn't sign the prescription.  Although patients can 
obtain cannabis through Health Canada, this program is difficult to 
access, said Davies.  The federal government has been told by the 
Supreme Court that it must come up with a new medical marijuana 
program within one year.

Davies' resolution called for the provincial government to undertake 
the licensing of medical marijuana, allow the decision to be made 
between the doctor and patient, allow compassion clubs to legally 
grow cannabis for their patients and allow medical patients to grow 
their own cannabis.

Councillor Chris Moslin suggested council refer the motion to the 
economic development task force for discussion.  However, his motion 
was also defeated.

"I feel it would be more appropriate, if it is a compelling 
grassroots issue, that we start this snowball process appropriately," he said.

Thompson agreed the drug laws aren't working for patients.

"If the use of medical marijuana is going to ease someone's pain and 
suffering, is going to allow someone to have some semblance of a 
quality of life, then in my opinion, we should move forward in making 
this an issue that can be debated, not just around this table, but 
around the province," she said.

Councillors Cher Wyers, Michael Wirischagin and Gene Robert argued 
against the motion because it wasn't a municipal issue.

"I feel that Grand Forks is the wrong place for this to be carried 
forward," said Wyers.  "It's a federal issue."

Robert argued marijuana is a "gateway drug" and called the arguments 
in favour of medical marijuana "biased."

Thompson advised fellow councillors against confusing the issue with 
the decriminalization of cannabis.

Mayor Brian Taylor, who has advocated for medical marijuana for many 
years, spoke in favour of the motion although he said patients aren't 
interested in growing their own marijuana due to the risks of home invasions.

Davies said she would continue the fight at city council.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom