Pubdate: Sun, 24 Feb 2013
Source: Daily Courier, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 The Okanagan Valley Group of Newspapers
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/5NyOACet
Website: http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/531

GANGS LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK

I am a licensed marijuana user and grower for the past three years.

I have personalized my plant strains to fit my ailments - I have 
Stage 4 cancer. I manage to work part time, but earn less than $24,000 per year

I currently pay up to $500 on my prescriptions, then all costs are 
covered by the government, ie: taxpayer.

There are currently no industrial, commercial growers or sellers who 
can sell to regular pharmacies, and this will take over a year to establish.

No notice was sent by Health Canada to individual licence holders 
that the laws would change effective Feb. 28. There was supposition 
and rumours, but nothing formal by way of a mailout from them. I 
learned about it from the newspaper.

I am licensed to have 60 grams per day. At the new price of $8.80, 
this will equal $528 per day. The cost for one year will be $185,856. 
Is this to be covered by the government?

The gangs know this and are sitting back rubbing their dirty little 
hands together as they laugh all the way to the bank.

It is no wonder there is a major war amongst them. They will make the 
money, while those of us who need are going to be made into criminals.

It should also be noted those of us who grow for ourselves do so 
quietly, without fanfare. We sell to no one, we attract no attention.

Our homes, because we are licensed, have had wiring updated and our 
lights installed by professionals so fire hazards are low. We have 
bought the proper equipment and air quality filters so there is no 
problem with mold. Can the illegal houses say the same? I think not.

Shut down the illegal houses. Police can come to my home at any time, 
see my licence and can inspect and do a plant count. I would welcome them.

name withheld by editor, Kelowna
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom