Pubdate: Thu, 10 Apr 2014
Source: Uxbridge Times Journal, The (CN ON)
Page: Page 6
Copyright: 2014 The Uxbridge Times Journal/Tribune
Contact:  http://www.newsdurhamregion.com/news/uxbridge
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2210

UXBRIDGE MEDICAL MARIJUANA FARM DESERVES SUPPORT

A proposal to establish a medical marijuana grow farm in Uxbridge is
no doubt a harbinger of the future and the dawn of change.

Regardless of whether Uxbridge ultimately becomes home to such an
operation or not, evidence is growing that the marijuana plant and its
derivatives offer tangible medical benefits to many patients,
including those with multiple sclerosis and children who suffer
life-threatening seizures.

Medical marijuana can be administered in a number of ways, including
an orally-taken liquid and capsules. Growers have the ability to
develop strains of the plant that are low in THC -- the compound that
creates the "high" recreational users seek -- and rich in cannabidiol,
an extract from the plant that has a scope of medical applications.
The idea of people simply smoking marijuana to alleviate symptoms
falls far short of the broad spectrum of ways the plant can be of
benefit to patients and the medical community.

It's important to note that the Township of Uxbridge largely has no
control over a medical marijuana grow farm, which would instead be
regulated by the federal government. But Uxbridge was asked for -- and
has now given -- its blessing on the application to establish the farm
on a 115-acre site on Durham Road 30, near the York-Durham boundary.

Plans call for an 8,000-square-foot barn renovated to house the
growing operation, while the property would be fenced, patrolled and
monitored by a security system 24 hours a day.

While it's far too early in the process to say the proposed operation
will ever become a reality in Uxbridge, evidence of the medical
benefits of the plant is growing, and attitudes are shifting. As with
any drug, there are shades of grey -- nothing is all "bad" or all
"good". But it would be detrimental to society as a whole for
politicians at any level of government to turn a blind eye to the
medical potential a legitimate marijuana industry can offer patients
suffering from a variety of conditions.

In that context, Uxbridge did well to support the medical marijuana
farm, which will need approval from Health Canada. Council's support
of the application lends more credence to the growing acceptance that
a plant that's thousands of years old can offer benefits to humankind.
That acceptance and faith is vital to encourage more research into the
medical potential of marijuana and its derivatives.

Education, research and open minds are key.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D