Pubdate: Thu, 07 Apr 2016
Source: Oshawa Express, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Dowellman Publishing Corp
Contact:  http://www.oshawaexpress.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5299
Author: Graeme McNaughton

"WE'RE BASICALLY PROVIDING MEDICINE TO PATIENTS"

Medical marijuana dispensary opens downtown

Those looking to smoke up for medical reasons now have another option
closer to home.

To little fanfare and no buildup, the GW Weed Emporium opened its
doors on Simcoe Street between King and Dundas on April 1. And it was
no joke - the store's display cabinets were filled with various
strains of marijuana, as well as other products - such as chocolate,
honey and soda - containing THC, the psychoactive component in
cannabis, and other smoking paraphernalia.

However, the store is not open for any member of the public to buy
product - you need a prescription first.

"Basically, we've seen a lot of patients are not getting their
medicine and they're having to source out other outlets to get their
pain medication, and we basically are advocates and believers that
cannabis does work for ailments. We would like to help those people,
and that's why we're here," one of the store's owners, who asked not
to be identified, tells The Oshawa Express.

To register at the store, prospective patients must bring in a
prescription from a doctor or any other supporting documents. Only
those accepted will be allowed to purchase product from the store.

"Not anyone can just walk in the door and have marijuana. It doesn't
work like that. We're providing medicine to patients."

At least prospective patient, who asked not to be identified, says she
is happy such a business is opening its doors in Oshawa, saying the
marijuana for sale here looks to be better than that "mail order shit"
she would get before.

It was because of users such as that and others throughout the city
and the region that the dispensary's owners decided to open up shop.

"We knew that there was a strong, strong need in Durham and somebody
had to take the step. We're not looking to challenge any laws or
anything like that," he says.

"Our main focus is to help patients. That's truly, sincerely all we
care about."

Legal or illegal

Under the current law, only those who have been given a prescription
from a doctor can access medical marijuana, with limits given on a
monthly basis for how many grams can be purchased, as well as the
maximum THC content. Then, the patient must register with a licensed
producer, which will then mail out orders.

According to Health Canada, there are 30 licensed producers in Canada,
with 17 of them based in Ontario.

While storefront dispensaries like GW Weed Emporium are illegal under
the law, many have been allowed to operate throughout the country
where marijuana is seen as a low priority. In fact, Vancouver and
Victoria dispensaries are able to obtain licenses from their
respective municipalities. In Toronto, there are approximately 50 such
establishments.

This hasn't prevented any dispensaries from being shut down. In late
January, the Good Weeds Lounge in the east end of Toronto was shut
down and its owners arrested for possession and trafficking after it
was found people were allegedly allowed to smoke on site, and
prescriptions were not required.

According to the lounge's website, the site has been reopened.

David Selby, a spokesperson for Durham police, tells The Oshawa
Express that the force has been made aware of Oshawa's first medical
marijuana dispensary and is "keeping an eye on it."

Jerry Conlin, the director of municipal law enforcement and licensing
services for the city, did not return The Oshawa Express' request for
comment before press time.

The dispensary's owner, however, says that the facility is needed in
the community.

"Unfortunately, the government is failing. Spend a day here, and
you'll know what I'm talking about," he says.

"There's a lot of sick people that don't have access. The doctors have
no problem pumping out the OxyContin, the Percocet, the fentanyl
patches, which then get sold on the streets. People are dying from it
right here in Oshawa."
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MAP posted-by: Matt