May 2006: Written by Rielle Capler (BCCCS) and Philippe Lucas (VICS), the following guidelines carefully balance client autonomy, the diversity of individual dispensaries, local community concerns, and adherence to municipal, provincial and federal laws, all within the context of Canada's current cannabis policy. These have been endorsed by the majority of Canada's established compassion clubs and societies."
MMAR Still Unconstitutional After Latest Amendments
Since its inception in 2001, Health Canada's medical marijuana program has failed to fulfill its mandate from the Ontario Supreme Court Parker case to ensure that those who use cannabis as a medicine do not have to choose between their liberty and their health.1 Only 821 medical cannabis users in Canada, out of an estimated 500,000, are doing so legally. For many of those 821 people, the process of obtaining their license has been a bureaucratic nightmare.
Objectives. We tested the premise that punishment for cannabis use deters use and thereby benefits public health.
Methods. We compared representative samples of experienced cannabis users in similar cities with opposing cannabis policies--Amsterdam, the Netherlands ( decriminalization ), and San Francisco, Calif ( criminalization ). We compared age at onset, regular and maximum use, frequency and quantity of use over time, intensity and duration of intoxication, career use patterns, and other drug use.
Results. With the exception of higher drug use in San Francisco, we found strong similarities across both cities. We found no evidence to support claims that criminalization reduces use or that decriminalization increases use.
Conclusions. Drug policies may have less impact on cannabis use than is currently thought. ( Am J Public Health. 2004;94:836 842 )
Although Health Canada has taken some progressive policy steps,
many improvements are still needed. This document identifies many of the roadblocks
Canadians have been facing with the MMAR program, and proposes solutions to overcoming them. These solutions focus on the already existing and successful medical cannabis distribution system in Canada, the compassion societies.
Let me begin by thanking you for undertaking this imposing task, and for the opportunity to address you on this important issue. Why is this important? Since cannabis prohibition results in over 30,000 arrests in Canada each year, and as there are over 600,000 Canadians who currently have records for the personal possession of marijuana, this is no small matter.
If marijuana is generally considered to be safe compared to hard drugs of abuse like cocaine or heroin, why is cannabis such a big deal to both prohibtionists and drug policy reformers alike?
Because it is the most commonly used illegal drug in Canada, its prohibition drains more money and resources, and results in more arrests, then the prohibition of all other drugs combined.
Canadians for Safe Access (CSA) is an action-oriented, grassroots campaign of patients, supporters and suppliers working at the local, provincial and national level to change the unjust laws that prevent Canadians from accessing therapeutic cannabis.
We are very concerned about the current situation regarding HIV/AIDS research, education and treatment, and the seriously flawed system of legal exemption for medicinal users of cannabis.
Compilation of Research Studies and Sources about the Flin Flon Mining Area, Excerpts from article below about the Flin Flon area, Flin Flon Soil Sample Data, Excessive Lead and Arsenic Concentrations Found in Flin Flon Air Tests, Geochemichal map of Flin Flon ARSENIC Levels and much more..
A photo and audio based installation dealing with the issueof medical marijuana and the experience of people who use it.
Vancouver mayor Larry Campbell and former Vancouver mayor Philip Owen
New Jersey, November 2003 to receive the Drug Policy Alliance
award for Pioneering Achievements in Harm Reduction, Cannabis Law Reform
