Pubdate: Tue, 21 Jul 1998
Source: London Free Press (Canada) 
Contact:  
Website: http://www.canoe.ca/LondonFreePress/home.html

NO NEED TO PANIC OVER POT CLUB

There's crime and then there's crime.

In the grand scheme of things, a medical marijuana buyer's club, the London
Cannabis Compassion Centre, while certainly illegal, isn't really much of a
crime.

The backers of the London pot club, Lynn and Mike Harichy, have a history of
advocating for the medical use of marijuana. Lynn Harichy has said smoking
up to five joints a day helps ease her multiple sclerosis symptoms.

Others believe it can ease symptoms associated with cancer, AIDS and epilepsy.

But there is no agreement in the medical community that is the case, which
is why it has not yet been legalized for medical purposes.

Opening the club, and publicizing it, is just an extension of the Harichys'
protest of this state of affairs.

London Police Chief Julian Fantino knows this club is basically part of a
wider protest and has wisely decided to respond in kind. While noting that
selling marijuana, for any purpose, is illegal, he's not rushing to arrest
anybody. At least for now.

That's only right.

The police have a lot of crimes to be concerned about, many of a more
violent and pressing nature than a small group of people distributing very
small amounts of marijuana in a peaceful manner.

But the Harichys should take careful note of Fantino's exact words on this
club: "If laws are being broken, at the appropriate time the issue will be
addressed."

Protesters who venture into illegal activities to make a point must be
prepared to pay a price. That price may not come in a blaze of public glory,
but in a quiet trip to jail.

Copyright (c) 1998, Canoe Limited Partnership.

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Checked-by: Melodi Cornett