Pubdate: Tue, 21 Jan 2014
Source: Observer, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014, Sarnia Observer
Contact: http://www.theobserver.ca/letters
Website: http://www.theobserver.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1676
Author: Tyler Kula

Health: Pat Davidson Says Concerned Calls Being Made To Her Office
About Medicinal Marijuana Licence Changes

MP SUPPORTS MARIJUANA RULE CHANGES

Pat Davidson says her office has recently been trying to help a number
of residents worried about medical marijuana program changes this spring.

The Sarnia- Lambton MP was highlighting some of the federal
government's accomplishments and plans at a Rotary Club of Sarnia
luncheon Monday.

"We have been working with several residents on issues and we'll
continue to do that with the medical marijuana," Davidson said after
her address.

"There's a whole litany of concerns and it depends on the individual
what some of the concerns are. Cost is one of them for sure."

Petrolia resident Jeff Johnston recently went public with concerns
about changes taking effect April 1 that will render his current
licence to grow medical marijuana invalid.

Instead, the federal government is replacing its own distribution
system, personal-use and designated-person growing licences, with
licenced producers.

Cost per gram is expected to rise and, for Johnston, who supports his
family with about $ 1,700 a month through the Ontario Disability
Support Program and odd jobs, it may be too much to bear.

He hasn't personally contacted Davidson, he said.

System changes were brought on after an RCMP report last year that
said criminal groups are using the medical marijuana system to obtain
and distribute the drug.

Davidson said those changes are being made for good
reasons.

"Certainly the government is very concerned about safety in the
communities, they're very concerned about help for victims, and they
certainly are doing what they can to make our communities safe."

Many who've contacted her office have found answers, she
said.

"I think, once the situations are fully examined, sometimes things
aren't quite as dire as they appear to begin with," she said.

The economy was the focus of Davidson's speech.

"The fact is that we are doing a lot better than a lot of our other G7
counterparts," she said.

But the Canadian economy is still fragile, she said, noting the
government doesn't plan to raise taxes this year.

"This is not the time to do it," she said.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D