Pubdate: Sat, 03 Apr 2010
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2010 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Jennifer Yang
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada)

NINE CHARGED AFTER MARIJUANA COMPASSION CLUB RAIDED

Nine people are facing drug charges after police raided  a Queen St. 
compassion club that sells medical  marijuana to patients suffering 
from chronic diseases,  including HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

At about 3 p.m. Wednesday, plainclothes officers from  51 Division 
raided the headquarters of CALM, or  Cannabis As Living Medicine, 
located at 106 Queen St.  E.

The nine people arrested include club owner Neev  Tapiero and 
patients who are federally licensed to  possess marijuana, said 
CALM's lawyer Ron Marzel.

Marzel said police were well aware that CALM only  distributes 
marijuana for medical purposes, saying he  is "appalled" by the 
police action. He has yet to speak  with the lead detective and said 
he has no idea what  prompted Wednesday's raid.

"Organizations like this have existed for a long time.  It's not a 
surprise to the police force that these  organizations exist," Marzel 
said, adding that CALM is  actively lobbying for clearance from 
Health Canada to  sell medical marijuana. "In my assessment, this is 
a totally inappropriate response to an organization that  is seeking 
legitimization to help sick people."

Tapiero said this is the first time police have raided  CALM since 
the club was established 14 years ago, in  1996. The compassion club 
has about 3,000 registered  members and about ten percent have 
federally-issued  cards permitting them to possess medical marijuana. 
The  rest have written approval from a doctor, chiropractor  or 
naturopath, Tapiero said.

Police involved in the raid could not be reached for  comment on 
Friday but a 51 Division staff sergeant  confirmed that a warrant had 
been executed at CALM by  plainclothes officers. According to a 
police document  obtained by the Star, police seized 16,589 grams of 
marijuana, 1,940 grams of hashish, and 207 grams of  hash oil, the 
sum of which has an estimated street  value of $218,404. A quantity 
of cash was also seized,  according to the document.

Marzel said one person manning the door at CALM was  knocked down and 
injured by police during the raid. Two  of the nine arrested were 
also detained overnight,  including Tapiero, but released Friday on 
bail. CALM  has been closed since the raid but a justice of 
the  peace has permitted club managers to re-enter the  premises.

Tapiero said CALM is just one of several compassion  clubs in Toronto 
and he doesn't know why his  establishment was suddenly targeted. He 
acknowledged  compassionate clubs operate within a kind of legal grey 
zone but police have generally turned a blind eye  towards 
establishments such as CALM.

For CALM member Kim, who declined to give her last  name, she fears 
what would happen if CALM were to shut  down. The 48-year-old single 
mom is on disability and  suffers from several maladies, including 
fibromyalgia,  and the pain gets so overwhelming she can't think or sleep.

But Kim dislikes over-the counter painkillers like  OxyContin, which 
leave her feeling groggy. She prefers  medical marijuana, which 
soothes her pain without  robbing her of her functionality.

CALM is planning to hold a protest rally in response to  the raid at 
Allan Gardens at 1 p.m. on April 11.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom