Pubdate: Sat, 13 Jun 2015 Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON) Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network Inc. Contact: http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/letters.html Website: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326 Author: Ed Papazian Page: C8 IDEOLOGY ON MARIJUANA TRUMPS COMMON SENSE Re: Ambrose 'outraged' by marijuana ruling, June 12. Why doesn't Health Minister Rona Ambrose simply be transparent and say that she (and her colleagues in cabinet) simply don't accept the legitimacy of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms? They seem to jump at every chance they get to challenge this Charter and denounce Supreme Court decisions that try and uphold it. In trying to limit the use of marijuana to only the dried substance, the Conservatives once again show that their ideology trumps common sense. Ambrose claims that "judges" are deciding whether or not marijuana is a medicine. Somehow she is able to ignore the relief from pain and suffering that thousands of Canadians get from using the substance in a variety of forms, that are more suited to their medical condition. If Ambrose took the time to talk to the mother of a child with epilepsy (who had to break the law to get the dose he needed), instead of listening to the myopic hardliners in her party, she might have a different point of view. Unfortunately, Ambrose resorts to reminding us that this will be an election issue. "My mind is made up. Don't confuse me with facts" is seemingly once again her mantra. Ed Papazian, Kanata - --- MAP posted-by: Matt