Pubdate: Thu, 14 Mar 2013 Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Copyright: 2013 The StarPhoenix Contact: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/letters.html Website: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400 Author: Terrence McEachern Page: A3 MEDICAL POT PRIVILEGES AT RISK Regina Man Faces Weapons, Drug Charges If convicted of drug offences, Health Canada says a Regina man could have his medical marijuana privileges revoked for up to 10 years. On Friday, Dale Patrick Baumet, owner of Regina's Vintage Vinyl and Hemp Emporium, was arrested and charged with several weapons offences as well as offences involving the production and possession of marijuana, hashish, hashish oil, magic mushrooms and LSD for the purpose of trafficking. Police also seized $53,000 in Canadian and Chinese currency. Baumet, who has battled colon and lung cancer, is licensed to produce and possess medical marijuana in Canada. Stephane Shank, a spokesman for Health Canada, said if a holder of a licence to produce marijuana is convicted of a marijuana-related drug offence, that person could have their licence revoked and not be eligible for a new licence for 10 years. Shank added that an authorized licence holder can have up to 150 grams of marijuana a month divided into five grams a day. Individuals with a licence to produce marijuana can store as much as 1.1 kilograms for indoor growing operations and 3.75 kg for outdoor production. At the time of Baumet's arrest, police allegedly seized 34 kg of marijuana. Launched on July 30, 2001, Health Canada's medical marijuana program has grown from 500 to 26,000 authorized users. The program allows for the possession of dried marijuana as well as the ability to obtain a licence to produce marijuana for personal medical use or as a designated producer. Along with the declaration of a medical doctor, the criteria for possession of medical marijuana includes symptoms for compassionate end-of-life care or specific conditions such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury or disease, cancer HIV/AIDS infection, severe forms of arthritis and epilepsy. For personal-use production, Shank said the criteria involves being a Canadian resident 18 years old or more and authorized to possess dried marijuana, whereas designated producers cannot have been found guilty of a designated drug offence 10 years prior to the application. However, due to the system being "far too open to abuse," Shank said changes to the program are scheduled to take effect on March 31, 2014. "While the courts have essentially said that there must be reasonable access to marijuana for medical purposes in Canada, Health Canada believes this must be done in a more controlled fashion," he explained. Licensed producers would have to adhere to regulations from other levels of government, in particular, municipal zoning bylaws. Health Canada would also cease operating as a medical marijuana supplier and instead licence private businesses to perform the service. Another change is that marijuana production will no longer be permitted in the home. But Shank notes one of the main reasons for the changes is to address concerns about medical marijuana being sold illegally. "This is where we in fact recognize that the current program is open to abuse," he said. Also charged on Friday with similar offences was 52-year-old Jocelyne Lucy Fafard and Baumet's 22-yearold son Dylan Levi Baumet. Baumet's 24-year-old daughter Janelle Ivy Baumet was charged with possession of marijuana and 36-year-old Collin Craig Middleton, one of Vintage Vinyl's managers, was charged with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and possession of the proceeds of crime. The accused have been released on court-ordered conditions and are scheduled to be back in court at a later date. The arrests occurred after search warrants were executed at Vintage Vinyl, a property in the 2400 block of 11th Ave. and a residence in the 100 block of Powell Place. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom