Pubdate: Sat, 25 Jun 2011
Source: Kingston Whig-Standard (CN ON)
Copyright: 2011 Sun Media
Contact: http://www.thewhig.com/feedback1/LetterToEditor.aspx
Website: http://www.thewhig.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/224
Author: Elliot Ferguson, The Whig-Standard

POLICE SEIZE CANNABIS SUPPLY

Proponents of medical marijuana worry for the future use of the drug
in Kingston after police seized the cannabis supply of the local
compassion club this week.

In a statement on its website, the Kingston Compassion Club Society
said police removed the supply of marijuana from the office at 500
Princess St. on Sunday.

Police had been invited into the club because staff thought they were
being robbed, one of the club's founders, Matt Thornton, said Friday.

On Tuesday, police returned and took away the centre's computer system
and patient records.

"It's giving cannabis clubs a bad name because in normal
circumstances, they operate with no problems," said Jennawae McLean,
owner of 420 Kingston and a supporter of medical cannabis use.

McLean said she was an early supporter of the Kingston club but has
since distanced herself because she said it was not being run properly.

"The reason why they were shut down was they were not following
protocol," McLean said. "They were not following the rules."

McLean, who is allowed to legally use three grams of marijuana a day
to treat chronic pain, said she receives her drug from compassion
clubs in Toronto, but she said travelling to Toronto is not an option
for many lower-income people in Kingston who need access to medical
cannabis.

The Kingston club was set up during a time when the laws governing
medical marijuana are in question.

In April, an Ontario judge ruled that Health Canada's medical
marijuana program is invalid and denies legal access to sick people
who need the drug.

No Kingston Police spokesperson was available for comment Friday
afternoon. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.