Pubdate: Wed, 27 Jun 2012
Source: Tri-City News (Port Coquitlam, CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Tri-City News
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/3X3xlf9Y
Website: http://www.tricitynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1239
Author: Gary McKenna

BC BUD FOR SALE TO PAIN PATIENTS

Medicinal marijuana users in the Tri-Cities will no longer have to 
travel to dispensaries in Vancouver to buy their bud.

Coquitlam Natural Path Society opened a facility in Maillardville and 
has been selling marijuana to licensed users since last Wednesday.

Christopher MacLeod, the operator of the shop, said the location (931 
Brunette Ave.) will make it easier for people, who often suffer from 
chronic pain, to access their medication.

"The stigma is starting to dissipate," he said. "I have been very 
surprised at how the local community has been."

The easiest way to become a member of the compassion club, MacLeod 
said, is to have a government-issued medical marijuana licence. But 
those who have a confirmation of diagnosis from their doctor listing 
the ailments from which they suffer will also be eligible to receive the drug.

"We tell everyone to go to their medical practitioner first," he 
said. "Some doctors are apprehensive because they are not sure of the 
medication itself... others are worried about the legal ramifications."

MacLeod said he uses medical marijuana to treat symptoms of 
arthritis, an ailment that had him taking up to 23 aspirins per day 
before he switched to cannabis for pain management.

"Now, instead of bees stinging my knees it feels more like 
mosquitoes," he said.

But while MacLeod describes the current regulations surrounding 
medicinal marijuana dispensaries as "a bit of a grey area," Coquitlam 
Mayor Richard Stewart said it is more like the "wild west."

Stewart said there does not appear to be any regulatory framework for 
these types of facilities. As someone who suffers from chronic back 
pain, Stewart said he is sympathetic to those who use cannabis 
medicinally but added that the drug still appears to be against the law.

"We are in a complete vacuum of regulation," he said. "That has to be 
fixed. Until it is fixed, I am going to have serious concerns."

Coquitlam RCMP said that as long as the society has the necessary 
licences, it will be treated like any other business. Cpl. Jamie 
Chung said the dispensary would also have to comply with Health 
Canada regulations and city bylaws.

"At this point, we have no indication that we should be concerned 
about it," he said, "as long as they comply with all the rules and regulations."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom