Pubdate: Wed, 27 Jul 2011 Source: Airdrie City View (CN AB) Copyright: 2011 Airdrie City View Ltd. Contact: http://airdriecityview.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3202 Author: Russell Barth FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WANTS THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM TO FAIL Re: "Federal government to review medical marijuana program, eliminate abuse by criminals," July 22 Dear editor, Blake Richards avoids the real issues and muddies the waters in a deliberate attempt to discredit medical marijuana users. This is how bullies work. He says the government is proposing to "Create a new supply and distribution system for dried marijuana that uses only licensed commercial producers, to reduce the risk of abuse by criminal elements and lessen the jeopardy of fires and other public safety threats associated with home cultivation of medical marijuana." This is unconstitutional and unworkable. The government is flatly ignoring court rulings in this regard. It is also exaggerating the so-called dangers of pot-cultivation. Imagine if the cops came and took away your driver's license, and when you asked why, they said "Well, we have some unsubstantiated reports that some people may have been driving faster than the posted speed limit. So, to ensure public safety, we are taking away everyone's permits, and forcing everyone to use public transit." It is called "mass punishment," and is part of this government's ongoing commitment to cause suffering to the poor and the sick - and especially pot users. He says the government is proposing to "Establish an expert advisory committee to improve physician access to the most up-to-date information on the potential risks and benefits of medical marijuana use." This is a waste of time and money. The science is in - cannabis is safe. There are 20,000 studies to show this. Myself, I use 10 grams a day and will soon be upping my dose to 18, and my health is only improving. But the government will likely regard bunk science as gospel, call me an addict and abuser, cut me down to three grams a day or less. That means I will end up back in my wheelchair and impotent. He says the government is proposing to "Streamline the process for program participants." Balderdash! They could have streamlined the process years ago by simply hiring about 200 people for the office, but they haven't done that, and won't. If they did, the program would work swiftly, two million Canadians would have permits and the government's whole 'pot is evil' propaganda campaign falls to dust. Why can't the public see that the government has been deliberately breaking laws, bending rules, ignoring court rulings, violating the Charter and deliberately under-staffing the office in order to make it fail? It is as obvious as the paunch on our PM! Blake Richards says, "I must stress, legalization or decriminalization of marijuana is in no way a part of these changes." Of course not. All the science and history shows that legalization would reduce costs and danger and crime, but the Tories don't want that. They want more crime, more cops, more jails and fewer rights for the public. Once again the Tories issue a statement full of obfuscation, lies and balderdash. These rotters are playing politics with people's lives and lying to the public in the process. It is monstrous. Russell Barth Federally licensed medical marijuana user, Ontario - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.