Pubdate: Thu, 24 Mar 2016
Source: Guardian, The (CN PI)
Copyright: 2016 The Guardian, Charlottetown Guardian Group Incorporated
Contact:  http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/174
Author: Nancy MacPhee
Page: A4

MEDICAL MARIJUANA MAY BE COMING TO SUMMERSIDE

Craig Gaudet plans to open health centre and dispense medicinal
marijuana from Water Street location

Craig Gaudet hopes to soon sell medicinal marijuana in Summerside's
downtown.

Gaudet has an ambitious plan for a vacant Water Street building, known
to many as either the old Royal Bank or Purple Parrot building.

His plans are for an unconventional health centre, which would include
the province's first medical marijuana dispensary.

"What we are opening is a whole health and wellness centre," said
Gaudet.

"It is based on medical marijuana, but it is also going to have yoga,
tai chi, massage, holistic healing, Chakara, herbalist healing - not
just the dispensary."

A former reservist, Gaudet has used medical marijuana for more than 15
years.

He was injured in an accident 27 years ago where an armoured personnel
carrier ran over him and crushed his legs.

Since then, he's had close to 40 surgeries on his knees.

Gaudet had, at one time, used prescription drugs to help with his
pain, but since being prescribed medical marijuana he no longer uses
the other drugs.

He believes he is legally entitled to sell medicinal marijuana within
his centre to others who are prescribed the drug.

"The Supreme Court of Canada made it quite clear a couple of weeks ago
that patients have the right to sell to other patients," he added.

Health Canada, on the other hand, according to its website, indicates
that only producers who are authorized to produce and sell to the
public "may sell or provide dried marijuana, fresh marijuana or
cannabis oil to eligible persons."

And, in P.E.I., there are no such licences issued by Health
Canada.

He also hopes to help facilitate the prescribing of medical
marijuana.

"We will be looking at bringing in doctors to help patients get
prescriptions. If not, we will be taking patients off the Island, in
groups, to marijuana-friendly doctors."

Gaudet has yet to apply for a permit with the city for his new
business, something, he added, he plans to do this week.

He has a silent partner in the business venture and says he is close
to securing all the financing necessary to open his centre.

Gaudet has been in contact with the mayor and Chief Dave Poirier
regarding his plans and has surveyed businesses in the area, with
resistance from only one, he said.

"I have had a couple of phone conversations with Mr. Gaudet, but no
face to face meetings," said Poirier.

"As far as we know, Health Canada will not be approving any licences
for this type of dispensary at this time."
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MAP posted-by: Matt