Pubdate: Wed, 21 Jan 2015
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2015 The StarPhoenix
Contact: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Author: Charles Hamilton
Page: A6

LAWYER SAYS MEDICAL POT RULING 'RIDICULOUS'

Student With Cancer Banned While Using

A British Columbia lawyer is calling out Saskatoon's public school 
division for its stance on medical marijuana.

John Conroy, who has dealt with several cases involving the rights of 
medical marijuana patients, said the school board's decision to ban 
Michael Wileniec from attending classes while under the influence of 
medical pot is "ridiculous."

"It just seems grossly unfair ... you have an illness," Conroy said 
in an interview from B.C.

Wileniec, who suffers from a rare condition called hereditary 
multiple exostoses, says the only thing that relieves the pain is 
medically prescribed pot.

He said his quality of life has improved considerably since a doctor 
prescribed the drug for him.

Last week, however, school officials told him he could no longer 
attend class while "under the influence" of his prescription.

Conroy said the school's decision to ban Wileniec from taking classes 
while on his medication is the product of outdated views about 
medically prescribed marijuana.

"I just can't believe the attitude still exists ... they need to get 
into the 21st century," he said.

Toronto-based lawyer George Waggott said the use of medical marijuana 
in the workplace and at school is an "emerging issue" that will 
surely get more attention as more and more people are prescribed the drug.

Waggott said the school should have a proper policy when it comes to 
the use of any medication.

"It might be a little bit like the early days of AIDS, where they 
said, 'You have AIDS and you can't work here anymore,' " he said.

Wileniec said he will seek legal advice.

In a written statement, a spokesperson said the school division would 
not comment on any specific case, but operates on a "case-by-case 
basis to address situations where an individual student requires the 
use or administration of medication of any kind during the school day."

The spokesperson said students like Wileniec could be "accommodated" 
by getting take home work and only attending classes for short 
periods of time while not under the influence of medical marijuana.
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