Pubdate: Tue, 20 Sep 2011 Source: Daily Press, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2011 Sun Media Contact: http://www.timminspress.com/feedback1/LetterToEditor.aspx Website: http://www.timminspress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1001 Author: Ron Grech, The Daily Press CANDIDATE FIGHTS FOR MEDICAL POT USE Robert Neron Says Government-Provided Marijuana So Weak 'It'S Like Smoking Parsley' TIMMINS - A long-time local advocate for users of medicinal marijuana is on the ballot in Timmins-James Bay. Robert Neron, who hosted Hempfest in his home community of Moonbeam in 2010, is the local candidate for the Freedom Party of Ontario. The promise to provide "safe, convenient access" to "Cannabis Medicine Centres" was a key aspect of the party's platform that Neron is endorsing. Neron, has been a user of medicinal marijuana since he was diagnosed in 1997 with cervical dystonia -- a condition which causes painful, twisting muscle contractions in the neck. The 45-year-old said the effects of smoking marijuana reduces the pain. However, he said the cannabis provided by the government for this purpose has a reduced level of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is the substance in cannabis that causes a psychoactive or euphoric sensation when it is smoked. Illegally sold marijuana generally has a THC level of 15 to 25% Neron said the THC level of medicinal marijuana is 4%. "It's like smoking parsley," he said. Neron takes issue with this. He believes the government should "supply the best quality of marijuana so that people don't feel they have to smoke joint after joint before they feel the effects." He also believes the cost should be covered by the Ontario Hospital Insurance Plan. Due to the reduced THC level, Neron said he has to smoke substantially more government approved marijuana to feel any effect compared to the quality of pot he would get if he bought it from dealers illegally. While Neron said he is licensed by Health Canada to be supplied with and to possess medicinal marijuana, he has still had his share of run-ins with the law over the years. The latest was in March during a period when, he said, his licence had lapsed. On March 11, the Ontario Provincial Police conducted a raid of his home and seized more $1.2 million worth of illegal drugs. He was charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, two counts of production of a controlled substance, and six counts of possession of a controlled substance. When he was charged in March, Neron said he had applied to Health Canada for a renewal of his licence. Neron told The Daily Press he notified the police of the situation but "within weeks, the police raided my house." Neron said his licence permitting him to smoke marijuana arrived from Health Canada arrived a month after he was arrested. He said he plans to fight the charges, which are still before the courts. In the meantime, Neron has another battle on his hands in the form of a provincial election campaign. He said he plans to actively campaign though he said he will not be able to attend the all-candidates meeting being held at O'Gorman High School in Timmins Wednesday night. Asked about other components of the Freedom Party's platform which he feels strongly about, Neron cited promises to allow Ontario corner stores sell alcohol and wine, and to increase speed limits on 400-series highways. The Freedom Party advocates an increase in speed limits of up to of 120 kilometres an hour. Other components of the Freedom Party platform include: - - Elimination of the Retail Business Holidays Act which would enable businesses to be open any day of the year; - - Prohibit religious worship, religious services or religious outreach programs in public schools; - - "Eliminate artificially high prices" for electricity; - - Eliminate Ontario's tax on gasoline; and - - Eliminate provincial tax on beer, wine and wine coolers. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.