Pubdate: Tue, 05 Dec 2017
Source: Cape Breton Post (CN NS)
Copyright: 2017 Cape Breton Post
Contact:  http://www.capebretonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/777
Author: Nikki Sullivan
Page: A1

CANNABIS CRACKDOWN

Medical marijuana dispensary raid angers clients

Cries of anger, disappointment and disgust rang throughout a Sydney
courtroom on Monday when a judge ruled Donald James Campbell was to
stay in jail until a bail hearing on Friday.

Campbell's supporters packed the courtroom on Monday. His mother,
overcome with emotion, had to be taken out by wheelchair after the
verdict.

Campbell is one of three people charged after Cape Breton Regional
Police Service raided two commercial properties and two residential
properties on Friday. During the raid, an estimated $200,000 worth of
drugs was found plus $20,000 cash.

The two commercial properties were known as Cape Breton Medical
Cannabis (CBMC), a medical marijuana dispensary.

More than 60 people were in court to support Campbell. Some, like Jeff
Tobin, had letters they hoped to read to the judge.

"CBMC saved my life. I'll be here standing by their side no matter
what they go through," said the married father of two.

Severe back pain, caused by two herniated discs plus a mass wedged
between one disc and his spinal cord, led Tobin to many doctors and to
try many prescription painkillers. Nothing worked.

"After surgery my pain didn't get any better … to use the bathroom, my
bedroom was in the basement and I would have to do a kid crawl to get
up the stairs," said Tobin, who wasn't able to work because of the
pain. Jeff Tobin stands outside the courtroom before Donald James
Campbell's first appearance. Campbell was one of three people charged
in conjunction with a raid of two Cape Breton Medical Cannabis (CBMC)
locations and two residences.

He decided to try medical marijuana six months ago and went to CBMC.
Now, the 34-year old says he is doing things he hasn't done in years,
is back to work and is feeling the most pain-free he's been since he
was 16.

"I can take (my kids) and throw them over my head, play with them. I
used to never be able to get on the floor with them … it's a miracle
what these guys have done for me with this stuff," Tobin said.

"Being able to do stuff for my kids is everything for me … it means
the world to me."

Thomas Ogley, from Glace Bay, is another CBMC client who was there to
support Campbell.

Ogley, at 14, broke his neck in a car accident. He has been on
painkillers since and was addicted to them and injected them

for a while.

After going through the methadone maintenance program, Ogley's doctor
kept him on the drug for pain maintenance.

But with a treatment plan through CBMC, the 39-year old is reducing
his methadone and replacing it with medical marijuana products.

"I can use that and not have the cloudiness in my head that I get from
the other painkillers I have been on all my life," said Ogley, who has
a 13-year old son.

"I can still have a life. I can play with my little fella … with the
painkillers I can't do any of that. You just sit at home, in a rut."

Ogley said CBMC helped him improve his quality of life.

"I got my life back. I didn't have a life before. It's like night and
day. I feel free and actually for the last six months I felt hope,
there was an answer," the 39-year old said.

"Now I am all worried. How am I going to get my medicine tomorrow? I
don't want to go deal with a criminal."

Campbell, 38, of Grand Lake Road, is charged with two counts of
possession for trafficking, one count of producing cannabis, five
counts of breaching a court order, one count of possession of a
firearm while prohibited to do so and one count of unlawfully storing
a firearm.

Paul Raymond Theriault, 39 of Upper Prince Street, who volunteers at
CBMC, was charged with one count of possession for the purpose of
trafficking and one count of trafficking.

Stephanie Marie Boutilier, 24, of Grand Lake Road, was charged with
one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking. It is unknown
if she was a volunteer or a paid employee.

Campbell is expected back in court on Friday for a bail hearing. All
three will be in court on the charges on Jan. 12.

CBMC Grand Lake Road location reopened the day after the
bust.

"Our patients still need us, we have to be there to show them we
care," a CBMC spokesperson said via Facebook Messenger.

They also said CBMC is Health Canada-approved to service patients who
qualify under Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes
Regulations.

These regulations also allow them to grow a certain amount of
cannabis, according to the Health Canada website.
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MAP posted-by: Matt