CannabisDigest 51 Winter 2017

FREE

2017 WINTER

ISSUE #51

Suppositories Business Lobby

P. 13

Center

Trudeau P.23

Issue Number 51

www.CannabisDigest.ca

ISSUE # 51 WINTER 2017

CREDITS Publisher

Ted Smith <hempo101@gmail.com>

Editor-in-Chief

ARTICLES

Judith Stamps <editor@hempology.ca>

Graphics Editor

Owen Smith <rainbowensmyth@gmail.com>

A Tale of Two Seeds......................................P.03

Dieter Macpherson <dietermacpherson@gmail.com>

Opioids and Cannabis .................................P.07

Kristen Mann <kristen.wscr@gmail.com>

Tips for the Taxman.....................................P.09

Web Editor

Assistant Editor

Cops and Robbers........................................P.11

Contributors Ted Smith Judith Stamps Owen Smith Russel Barth (Pottawa) Tracy Lamourie (Toronto) Kristen Mann Julia Veintrop Deb Harper Georgia Toons

Suppository Molds.......................................P.13 Federal Task Force.......................................P.14 A Messy Situation.........................................P.17 Vaporizer Basics...........................................P.19 Next Level Activism.............................CENTER

Cover by Dottie Locks

Justin Trudeau..............................................P.23

For editorial questions, letters, or information on submitting: <editor@hempology.ca>

Accessing the ACMPR - Part 2.....................P.31

Updates, Warnings, Suggestions...............P.28 What Legalization Should Look Like..........P.35 Playing 'What If'............................................P.37 Wordsearch / Comics.....................................P.41

826 Johnson Street V8W 1N3 Phone: 250-381-4220 www.hempology.ca www.cannabisdigest.ca

The Cannabis Digest will not be held responsible for claims made within the pages of the newspaper, nor those made by advertisers. We do not suggest or condone illegal activities, and urge readers to research their countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s laws, and/or talk to their doctors, before engaging in any activities that could be deemed as illegal or dangerous to oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s health.

Issue Number 51

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A Tale of Two Seeds

Cannabis Sativa. One Plant, Two Laws

grams of fat, 2.5 grams of protein, all essential amino acids and a balanced array of omega oils. These small, mottled brown seeds look so unassuming. The hemp seed in your left hand however is punishable by a $10,000 fine whereas the strictest punishment ever dished out for trafficking marijuana seeds was 2 years less a day served in community (Richard Baghdadlian, 2010) and that was for $3.5 million worth of seeds. This does not Kristen Mann include the harsh international punishments dished out to or years we have been Marc Emery outside of Canalooking forward to the dian law. legalization of this amazing Behold the happy pot seed. It plant but let us not forget that low THC cannabis (hemp) is has been gaining in popularity already legal to grow in Can- for last half century and since ada and has been since May the 1990’s has been openly sold 1998. However, if you or I wanted to grow a bit of hemp, in our backyard or even on an acreage, serious consequences could ensue.

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highly by it’s illegal drug status and most of the people in control of the market are small businesses started by ballsy entrepreneurs.

Now look in your other hand at that seemingly identical seed. This seed is industrial hemp. It has a very different culture, law and perception surrounding it, even though it is the same species as marijuana. The Government of Canada defines hemp as Cannabis sativa with THC levels less than 0.3%. While that seed is ‘legal’, one must meet a number of criteria to be in possession of it. These regulations only apply to viable hemp seeds and not to the shelled, toasted or irradiated seeds sold as a health food.

"The trouble lies in these Labradoodles of cannabis"

and traded in Canada. Companies like Hemp BC, the VanTo be allowed to buy or poscouver Seed Bank, Crop King sess hemp seeds one must apSeeds, and others worked hard ply for a permit to exempt to cultivate and protect thou- them from the Controlled sands of unique strains and hybrids. Seed hunters have searched around the globe for historic and endemic strains, known as landraces. These include legendary favourites such as Columbia Gold and Burmese. The stewarding of these varieties has rewarded I will begin by contrasting the it’s patrons with unique, award current legal status in Canada winning strains that come with of two types of cannabis seeds, a hefty profit. a hemp seed and a marijuana The average feminized seed seed. We will talk about the difference between these sis- sells for $10 and one mother ter seeds and how complicated plant can produce thousands the relationship could become of seeds. It should be noted between new cannabis laws that most growers only want and current hemp regulations. female plants and males are To conclude, we will discuss often discarded. Traditionhow the average citizen can ally, high quality marijuana contribute to positive cannabis has been grown indoors or in policy both now and in the fu- greenhouses and that has encouraged growers to breed ture. plants that are best suited for Imagine you are holding this environment. in your hands two cannabis Additionally, for many years seeds. In your left hand, you high THC was the most dehave an Finola (the most popular) industrial hemp seed, in sired quality. As private breedyour right hand, a Strawberry ers pushed their plants to max Kush marijuana seed. To look out on THC other cannabiat them visually you would be noids fell by the wayside and unable to tell them apart. If balanced cannabinoid profiles you planted either of the seeds became endangered. That is the resulting plant would grow starting to change with the into a bushy herb about 1-2 current trendiness of high meters tall with branching CBD, low THC cannabis in structure and compound pal- the medical markets but many mate leaves. If you ate a table- unique cultivars have already spoon worth of either seed been lost. These seeds’ evoluit would provide you with 3 tionary path has been altered The strict regulations surrounding this incredible plant are restrictive to those producing on a massive scale and with large amounts of governmental oversight. This type of over restriction must not happen to marijuana and it is our responsibility to ensure that any new regulations introduced by the government must allow for home and craft scale production.

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Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). To be considered for this exemption you must be an ordinary resident of Canada, be over the age of 18, be free of a CDSA conviction for a minimum of 10 years, be 1 km or more from any schools, have a single area a minimum of 10 acres to be dedicated to the crop, and agree to buy new each year trademarked registered seed from government regulated suppliers. The application also requests GPS coordinates for the field to be cultivated, your personal information, and the address of each place where the industrial hemp is to be stored, sold or provided, indicating for each place the form of the industrial hemp.

Once you have successfully grown a crop you must secure it in a locked container or building and keep detailed records of where all seed was acquired, grown, sorted, processed, stored and sold as well as destroy the “branches, leaves and flowering heads by retting or by otherwise rendering them into a condition

Cannabis Digest • Winter 2017

such that they cannot be used for any purpose not permitted under the Act”. Can you imagine if tomatoes were held to similar standards?

regulations the government is going to introduce must include outdoor growing. If the legal marijuana plants in my front yard are cross pollinated by one of the large industrial Traditionally hemp was hemp fields around me and I grown across the prairies by save the seed, is that still legal homesteading pioneers who seed? brought heritage seed with them from Europe. The quick growing plants could reach heights of 20 feet tall in one season and were much desired by their multiple uses including food, windbreaks, animal feed and bedding, soil conditioning.

I have heard wonderful stories about little old farmers’ wives who continued to grow hemp well past prohibition because ‘it was such a beautiful plant’.

Sadly most, if not all of these local varieties were lost when hemp was outlawed. According to the government website (www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hc-ps/subThe resulting seeds from this stancontrol/hemp-chanvre/ spontaneous, wind pollinated about-apropos/faq/index-eng. love affair will contain the pophp): tential to express any of the traits of either or both genetic “Hemp production was pro- lineages. Some of the seeds hibited in Canada in 1938 un- will make plants that are sticky, der the Opium and Narcotic potent, fragrant and high in Drug Act as part of a combined THC. Some of the seeds will international battle against the produce spindly, high seed abuse of THC and other con- producing buds with very low trolled substances. Although THC but high levels of other the prohibition was relaxed cannabinoids including CBD, briefly during World War II CBG, CBC, each with it’s own when traditional sources of medicinal effects. Some seeds fibres were unavailable, the will produce moderate levels prohibition was renewed after of all cannabinoids. the war. Since 1961, Health Canada has allowed limited The high CBD strains that production in Canada for sci- are being grown by Licensed entific research purposes.”

Producers and dispensary growers have a lot in common Like cannabis, dogs have a with hemp strains. The old advery flexible genome. Just as age that “you wouldn’t get high a 22-foot tall sativa growing standing in a field of burning deep in the Cambodian jungle hemp” fails to contemplate and the 18-inch tall ruderalis the psychoactive properties struggling on the steppes of of any other cannabinoid beRussia seem very different so sides THC and the synergistoo do the mighty Mastiff and tic effects cannabinoids can the tiny Papillon appear seem- have on each other. Hemp oil, ingly unrelated. Due to a wide seeds and juice are known to variety of gene expressions, be very healing and nutritious both species can interbreed and I would imagine that the with any other member of it’s flowers could be as well if only species whether or not they regulations permitted them appear the same. With dogs to be used in products. Plants this gives us ‘Morkies’ and with auto-flower genetics ‘Labradoodles’, with cannabis have been bred with ruderalis we get ‘Confidential Cheese (hemp) to achieve that trait. If ‘ or ‘Strawberry Girl Guide regulations were opened up to Cookies’. allow and encourage the interbreeding of all existing strains The trouble lies in these of cannabis (hemp and mariLabradoodles of cannabis juana) around the world, seed however. If my dog jumps the variety and security would be fence and has puppies with the greatly enhanced. dog down the road it is undesirable but in the end you just Cannabis makes a beautiget mutt puppies. But what ful landscape plant with it’s if my breed of dog was gov- unique colors and texture. It erned by completely different is an insect and deer deterrent regulations than the dog down when planted as a border plant. the street; what regulations It’s deep taproot can penetrate would the puppies fall under? compacted soil and draw nuI propose that any of the new trients to the surface, while it’s

bushy canopy shades the soil and the surface root system holds soil in place. It’s heavy feeding will help regenerate soil contaminated by heavy metals or industrial poisons.

For these reasons it is invaluable as an erosion prevention and bioremediation tool. Not only is it prettier than a lawn

munity. Begin growing out any seeds that you have kicking around. They should be ready to go into the ground around May (depending on your growing region) and remember that it is not cool to let unattended males grow out and pollinate the neighbourhood. When people begin to see that cannabis is just a beautiful plant and not a scary drug it can really change a resistive perspective.

If you need seeds or more information on overgrowing the law, check out Dana Larsen’s ‘Overgrow Canada’ campaign at www.overgrowcanada.com.

Next thing you know the whole block will be getting together for trimming parties.

Talk to your neighbours, your local and federal politicians, friends and family about how important this plant is to you and to the planet. Participate in the ongoing drafting of legislation by following along with developments and answering stakeholder surveys.

it requires a fraction of the amount of water, fertilizer or time investment. Even a small patch could provide enough hemp seed for a vegan to supplement their protein all year.

It is a real shame that it is not Finally use the cannabisgrown in municipal landscapes digest.ca website to network and hobby gardens throughout with fellow cannabis crusaders the country. and keep up to date. Happy growing.

There are many ways to cultivate cannabis in your com-

Issue Number 51

www.CannabisDigest.ca

EDITORS NOTE: Thoughts for a New Year

Judith Stamps

2017

promises changes that border on the torrential, some good, far too many, bad. Astoundingly good is the promise of Cannabis legislation in Canada, or at least new steps in that direction. Not good is the Trudeau government’s demonstrated sympathy with Canada’s hyper regulated, hyper securitized Licensed Producers, set, if they get their way, to push legacy producers to the margins. Excellent is the promise, this year, of new licenses for cannabis dispensaries in a growing number of municipalities in BC; terrible is that municipal sympathies vary

radically across the country, meaning that many Canadian cannabis consumers still struggle to avoid arrest. Worst of all is Trudeau’s explicit policy to continue arrests until the last signature is scratched onto the last pro cannabis Bill; and the last cannabis regulation, somewhere down the bureaucratic line, passed by the last committee. Sounds, sadly, like a very long time: years, perhaps.

Will they choke research?

Will they (we hope) just look the other way?

Uh, but meanwhile, will they plunge us into a major recession? Or maybe crash and burn within six months (my guess), having crossed one too many legal lines?

Equally, it gladdens our hearts to see growing sympathies for cannabis worldwide.

But it maddens us to see this progress set against the rising tide of fundamentalism, racist violence, and seemingly insane, random violence, both global and local.

Again, wonderful is the progress of legalization in US states, both medical and elective. But terrifying is the prospect of a Trump presidency (irk!) replete with a select, anti-cannabis cabal, bearing heavy corporate sympathies, set to fill its pockets over the next four If there is a theme to be had years at everyone’s expense. in this mess, it is that any solid progress toward legal cannaWill they respect states’ bis has always come, and conrights? tinues to come, from activist communities working with Will they support cannabis local political representatives, medicines? local police, and local business.

In turn, and more importantly, Will they roll out the big the success of activist commuartillery, and super fund the nities has always rested on the DEA? willingness of their members to maintain solidarity amongst

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themselves, with other groups across the country, and around the world. As fragile as these commitments have been—and they have been fragile—they are what holds cannabis culture together, and what has driven positive changes in the cannabis laws.

Cannabis Digest is committed to being a part of that solidarity, advocating for fairness whilst bringing together cannabis friendly viewpoints from across Canada, the US, Ireland, Costa Rica, Jamaica, and elsewhere. It bears repeating. The strength of our movement is the strength of our friendships, and local associations. This quarter, share CD with friends and relations, and think about leaving extra copies in cafés, and in other public spaces.

You may not make the headlines, but as surely as I write these words, you will change the world.

Editor@Hempology.ca

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Cannabis Digest â&#x20AC;˘ Winter 2017

PUBLISHERS NOTE: Activist to Lobbyist

Typically politicians prefer to pass the buck, so to speak, rather than make a firm decision and act immediately.

Now that the federal government has announced its intention to legalize, it is becoming obvious that it will take years before fully legal cannabis sales are happening over countertops across the counTed Smith try. With so many opposed to this scheme in general, the Liberals are expected to take a e are experiencing a cautious, slow approach to unhistoric moment, one folding their strategy. much bigger than most people realize.

Legalizing cannabis will not change the world overnight, but with the flick of a switch we are turning on the most potent plant this world has to offer. If you are tuned That is why we need to ininto the vibe, it is electric, vi- crease our efforts for fair regbrant and ready to explode. ulations now. This is a window of opportunity to inform When the Liberals an- the process before some rules nounced that it was their in- become entrenched in law, tention to legalize cannabis, forcing us to continue fightmany of us breathed a huge ing for years to come. Because sigh of relief, as the war ap- the struggle to revive cannapeared to be over and our bis has changed so much, we hopes realized. It is becoming need new tools and strategies clear that while these politi- to interact with government cians were nice to our faces officials. Techniques will need when we met with them, it is to make them feel safe and still the intention of many in comfortable working with our Ottawa to fully enforce the industry. Rallies and phone law to the last minute They jams will not cut it anymore. are jailing as many people in the field as possible, while To start off this year, I am handing the new industry over registering to be a lobbyist to large corporations. Some with the BC government. refer to the new legalization scheme as Prohibition 2.0.

Honestly, I do not need to register to continue doing evThe world is watching Can- erything I am doing but it will ada as it leads the way towards add credibility to my name legalization in the developed and help some people take me world. It is very important to more seriously. The main inthe entire planet that we get tent of getting people to regour cannabis laws right the ister as a lobbyist is apparently first time, as it is likely that to stop someone from trying many other countries will to influence a government ofmimic what we do. The im- ficial without disclosing who pact of these laws could be is paying them to advocate. profound and widespread - In my case, I will always make beyond our wildest dreams.

W

it very clear I am acting for the Victoria Cannabis Buyersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Club and seeing that I am publically known for my work with the club there is no question who I am working for.

Normally a lobbyist is someone with little or even no experience in the field they are advocating for.

Generally speaking a lobbyist is someone with political connections, an intimate knowledge of the bureaucracy and a firm relationship with the media.

"I am registered to be a lobbyist with the BC government"

Being a professional lobbyist is all about going to conventions, barbeques, press conferences and public ceremonies, rubbing elbows with those in power while constantly pushing in whatever direction your clients tell you.

overwhelming as an individual, I firmly believe that if our movement channels its energy towards these people we can convince them to include craft cannabis producers in the new scheme.

So far the province has dragged its feet towards legalization, waiting for more guidance from the federal government. As this last report is not law the province has to wait a bit longer before all of the details are confirmed which, as I said earlier, is typical government behaviour. It seems no one is in a rush to implement legalization.

The city of Victoria has been slow to license dispensaries ever since the change in federal government, constantly hoping for more guidance from higher levels of government.

While dispensaries in Vancouver have received licenses and have been going through public variance hearings for over 9 months, Victoria is still 8 months away from zoning hearings and final licensing.

Meanwhile, the federal report states that cities deserve a seat at the table when it comes to decisions that affect their jurisdiction.

My style of lobbying will be a lot different. With only one client, decades of experience dealing illegal drugs, and having become a local celebrity, I will not look or act like any other lobbyist in the country.

You will not see me at a political convention any time soon, though I might show up at a barbeque if they have good In some ways, these delays veggie dogs. and confusion could benefit the craft cannabis sector but There are so many issues only if we take advantage of involved that I have no illu- the situation and apply pression I can work alone, which sure where it is needed. Holdis why I formed the BC In- ing public forums, attending dependent Cannabis Alliance debates, writing emails and last summer. It is now our job making phone calls can be fun to create a provincial data- and is necessary if we wish to base of the various ministries see this plant and our econthat will be working together omy reach its full potential. on this portfolio, naming the For those of us that truly care politicians, deputy ministers, about this plant, there could head bureaucrats and senior not be a more critical time to policy analysts that we need get involved. to educate. While it seems

Issue Number 51

www.CannabisDigest.ca

7

Dear Doctors

Treat Opioid Overuse with Cannabis chronic pain: Patients using it did that well. Why do some medical marijuana to control patients risk the threat of jail to chronic pain reported a 64 per- use this medicine? Why have cent reduction in their use of numerous patients spent thoumore traditional prescription sands of dollars to launch court pain medications known as opi- challenges to establish their oids.” basic human right to use this medicine and open it up to all in - University of Michigan need? Why hasn’t the medical study, U-M School of Public community taken note of these Health and Medical School. facts and realized there must be something to the effectiveness

By Debra Harper Doctors are discouraged from of cannabis as medicine. But no. prescribing cannabis for any

condition, despite the fatality “For most health care propioids overuse is the rate for cannabis use is zero – viders, marijuana is an afterworst man-made epidemic in modern medical history; two people an hour are dying of opioids misuse in the United States, and, proportionally, the problem is likely as bad, if not worse, in Canada.”

“O

- Dr. Gary Franklin, leading expert on workers’ compensation and medical director of the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries That has to be a wake up call for doctors, patients and society as a whole. There is a safer solution staring us in our collective face, yet the medical profession en masse, seems so reluctant to even entertain the idea of using cannabis as a substitute or adjunct to opioid therapy. There are thousands of results from studies, data collection, and anecdotal evidence displayed when searching for cannabis reduces opioid use that one wonders why it would not be considered and prescribed and monitored to see if it helps alleviate this epidemic. Zero deaths in thousands and thousands of years of use – what do we have to lose?

always has been. The fact physicians will prescribe a deadly painkiller before prescribing cannabis is one of the astounding mysteries of modern medicine.

A main reason cannabis has not been well received by the medical community is, until the Licensed Producers got in the game, there was absolutely no money used to lobby governments, educate doctors, advocate for patients, and do all the work required by pharmaceutical companies to get their products to market.

“Medical marijuana reduces This orphaned medicine was use of opioid pain meds, de- left to find it’s own way into the creases risk for some with hands of those who need it, and

low closely. When our pagers go off, we hurry to the bedside, give medications, alert security or even begin resuscitation.

With much.”

marijuana?

Not

so

-Nathaniel P. Morris: resident physician in psychiatry at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

The argument heard most often is there have not been enough studies done on cannabis to warrant it’s use. That may have been true decades ago, but it is not true today. Thousands of studies have been conducted around the world and researchers from The U.S., Israel and many other countries have dedicated years to studying cannabis. A database of studies can be seen on the International Association for Cannabinoid Medicines (IACM) website, or Scientific Publications: Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research, University of California, just for starters. One of the earliest significant studies, Report of the Indian Hemp Drugs Commission was commissioned in 1894, and the research has never stopped. Pioneers such as Dr. Ethan Russo, Dr. Lester Grinspoon and Dr. Raphael Mechoulam have worked with cannabis for decades and continue to so to this day.

thought. We don’t see cannabis overdoses. We don’t order scans for cannabis-related brain abscesses. We don’t treat cannabis-induced heart attacks. In medicine, marijuana use is often seen on par with tobacco or caffeine consumption—something we counsel patients about stopping or limiting, but nothing urgent to treat or immediately Among those concerns are the life-threatening. absence of scientific evidence on the benefits of medical cannabis In hospitals across the coun- and the challenging role being try, patients writhe in agony given to physicians and other from alcohol withdrawal, turn healthcare providers when a paviolent from crystal meth, and tient requests access to medical struggle to breathe after over- marijuana…… dosing on prescription opioids.

These are the cases that keep “Physicians should be aware health care providers on edge. however, that many Colleges These are the patients we fol- prohibit or strongly discourage

Cannabis Digest • Winter 2017

their members from dispensing, providing, or accepting delivery of marijuana for medical purposes (e.g. British Columbia, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, Québec, Manitoba, and Yukon). Physicians are advised to consult with their College before agreeing to accept the transfer of marijuana from a licensed producer.”

- CMPA Guidance Here is some recent insight into how Canadian Medical Association (CMA) members view cannabis according to a poll by the Vancouver Sun from August 24, 2016: • Physicians are divided on how pot should be regulated: 43 per cent believe there should be a single regulatory regime (meaning no distinction between medicinal and non-medicinal use), while 39 per cent back a dual regime.

• Doctors think it’s a bad idea to have marijuana sold in pharmacies and they want the federal government to ensure the quantity of THC is labelled and even regulated.

• Sixty-five per cent of doctors disagree with mail service being used to distribute non medical marijuana, and 57 per cent disagree with pharmacies being used for distribution. Fifty-six per cent think existing nonhealth care structures like liquor stores should sell it and 47 per cent think legal storefronts (dispensaries) are suitable for the purpose.

a placebo effect. As a physician, I personally do not care. In my view, if somebody is dying they should be able to participate in whatever it takes to relieve their suffering as long as it does not hurt anybody else.”

- Dr. Keith Martin, 1999.

in cannabis medicine and gave me some hope for the future.

Those students have long since graduated, and are hopefully part of the building momentum in the medical community who are open and receptive to discussing cannabis medicine with their patients.

Back in 2001, I was invited to speak at the University Of CalFor more articles by Debra gary: Complementary Medi- Harper or to find the links quoted • Doctors are equally split on cine Speaker Series where I at- from visit www.canevolve.ca. whether people should be al- tempted to enlighten a theatre lowed to grow their own non- packed with medical students. medical marijuana.

It was encouraging to see up and coming new doctors interested • Asked where people should be allowed to consume nonmedical marijuana, 80 per cent said their homes, 36 per cent said designated public places and 43 per cent said wherever tobacco is permitted.

• Forty-five per cent of doctors said Canadians over the age of 21 should be able to buy legal marijuana and 35 per cent said the age should be 18 or 19.

“We do not know if the effects of marijuana consumed under those [medical] conditions are due to a medical or therapeutic effect due to the intrinsic pharmaceutical property of marijuana or whether this is

Issue Number 51

www.CannabisDigest.ca

Tips for the Taxman

9

Some of the Benefits of Donating to Charities

As long as you get a receipt for an item donated to a registered charity, the amount is deemed as fair market value and if it is within the past 5 years, you can claim the amount on either your personal and corporate tax return. Land can be donated and claimed. However, the most interesting options available to donate are personal use property and inventory. Items such Julia Veintrop as jewellery, stamps, coins, rare books, antiques and basically

anything that you could sell for t the end of the day, ei- a capital gain or loss is considther personally or through your business, we are all paying taxes to the government. If you have to pay that money anyways, why not give it to charity rather than line the pockets of the man?

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A study released by the Fraser Institute has concluded that Canadian generosity is greatly in decline. With only 22.3% of tax filers giving to charity, Canadians have been giving away less money every year since 2006. And really, instead of paying extra money to charity, the government allows us to basically allocate some of the cash we would have paid to our taxes owed by donating our money and/or stuff.

Canada has always had a reputation for being a country full of nice people and the only reason we aren’t giving away loads of our cash is because people cannot afford to. The economy sucks.

However, despite the fact that the government is well aware of this fact, a non-lethal plant with incredible economic potential is still not legal and our favorite industry fights to exist.

Considering the fact that it really doesn’t really cost us much extra money; giving away as much as possible to charity is an easy and cheap way to help both yourself and the community on a multitude of levels. Plus, we stoners are known for being pretty nice people so it is kind of appropriate that we live up to this stereotype.

Collectively, the cannabis community is massive and very powerful. We are changing the laws in this country! Imagine the positive impact there could be throughout the world if every cannabis supporter and business made a point of donating to charity.

Without a doubt, your donations go a lot further on a personal return. Spend $200 or less for a 15% non-refundable federal return plus, include your provincial rate and you get 20.06%.

Anything above and beyond gets you a total rate of 43.7%. Plus, If you have never claimed charitable donations, you are eligible to claim any past charitable donations from March 2013, up to 2017 using the First Time Donor’s Super Tax Credit! Money, money, money!

out how much of that was coming back to her. Knowing how awesome her tax return would be would help her hopefully talk Nicole into putting it on layaway. Suzy’s first-time donor's FDSC and CDTC would be calculated as follows: First $200 of charitable donations claimed: $200 x 20.06% = $40.12 Charitable donations claimed in excess of $200: $300 x 43.7% = $131.10 First-Time Donor's Super Credit: $500 x 25% = $125 Total FDSC and CDTC: $296.22 Corporate Income Taxes “Get two birds stoned at once.”

- Ricky ‘Trailer Park Boys’

ered to be capital property and First Time Donor’s Super Tax you can claim it as long that Credit charity writes you a receipt for the fair market value (clothing, Because we Canadians are furniture etc.). starting to look a little cheap when it comes to charity, the Hey, Glass Blowers! Check government sweetened the deal this out! with this kick ass credit. Basically, if you haven't claimed any Usually the government con- donations since 2007, you are siders art that you create as per- eligible for the First Time Dosonal inventory. However, if you nor’s Super Credit. Your donaare an artist, make a piece of art tion credit will literally be tothat you price to sell yet donate talled a second time and that it instead; you can claim the fair credit gets added to your tax market value with a valid receipt. return. You have already paid income tax throughout the year Choosing to Claim on Per- so this is just going to add more sonal Versus Corporate Taxes - money to your tax return. In layIt’s all in the credit rate man's terms, this means that your rates go up by an extra 25% There are two different ways up to $1000. to claim charitable donations on your taxes; through your personHere’s What This Looks al income tax or your business Like… (corporate) income tax. Deciding which to pick will be deOn a hunt for a rolling paper, pendent on your company and Suzy finds a receipt from that income, as well as the amount of time she donated $500 cash to charitable donations you are go- “Cops For Cancer”. Thanks to ing to claim. If you are self em- Ted's old trick for aphids and ployed or have a small business her humongous yield, Suzy had that makes less than $500,000 enough income to donate to per year, it can be way more ben- charity for the first time. Thanks eficial to make a claim on your to a mental moment of cannabis personal income taxes. induced clarity, Suzy sticks that receipt in her wallet to give to Personal Income Taxes her accountant.

Keep in mind, if your company is claiming charity donations on corporate taxes, the rate is lower because in theory, a company has the ability to make and donate more. The CDTC is a great way for any business to support their community as well as pay a bit of their taxes in advance.

In an industry that is constantly adapting to changing factors such as the law or crop harvest times, this is a way to maximize times when you have money available.

Cannabis related businesses have a unique challenge that is literally written into the law: no advertising. This makes it very hard to show off your stuff to potential customers and to desensitize the average person to the damage prohibition did. Educating non-users without ruffling conservative feathers is a puzzle that can only approached based on each situation. Charitable donations is one way to gently broach the conversation as most people enjoy money and will consider listening to someone giving it to them.

It doesn’t matter how or why you use it, cannabis is medicinal.

A lot of cannabis related customers have been, will be, or are currently, the people directly affected by these charities. Donating literally puts money given to you by the community back into it so we can help those who help us.

Who is Eligible?

In Canada, the government If she wanted to avoid missDonate some of your stuff in- will dole you out more cash af- ing out on that sweet glass peice Unfortunately you cannot dostead of money! Or Both! ter you spend a certain amount. sale, she would have to figure nate to just anyone; the charity

Cannabis Digest • Winter 2017

has to be registered for you to be able to claim it. Plus, a lot of people these days are wary of their money not being used properly or in a worst case, fraud. The list of registered charities in Canada is so massive you have to apply for it the CRA website so it can be hard to sift through them.

selling and advocacy Jeneece Place - Home away from home for children and their families travelling to Victoria for medical care

Broken Promises Rescue non-profit animal rescue service for neglected and abused aniChairityintelligence.ca is a mals website that focuses on making all charities accessible and Victoria Brain Injury Society transparent so you can give an - support for people affected by informed dollar. Plus, you can brain injuries search out the causes you care most about to make the most Greater Victoria Coalition to of you donation. The A-Z list- End Homelessness - a partnering gives you all the contact info ship on a mission to end homeand registration number making lessness it really easy to search for a good cause.

Child Abuse Prevention and Counselling Society Of Greater If you want to support your Victoria - The Mary Manning local community, here are some Center primary provider of therof the charities registered in apy and counselling for children Victoria: who are victims of sexual abuse Our Place - housing and meal Victoria Women’s Transition support, health and dental ser- House - therapy, housing and vices, veterinary services for support for female abuse victims street pets, education and programs Men’s Trauma Center - counselling, advocacy and support for Victoria Hospice Society - men provide palliative care and support for end of life The Cridge Center - variety of social support services available Mustard Seed Street Church - food and clothing bank, coun-

Issue Number 51

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Cops and Robbers

11

Ottawa's Dispensary Scene Still Flourishing After Raids and Robberies saulted a worker and robbed the WeeMedical Dispensary on Rideau Street. On October 23rd, CannaGreen on St. Joseph Boulevard in Orleans was robbed by two men, one with a knife and one with a gun. Then on the 26th, a handgun accompanied by three idiots robbed the Ottawa Cannabis Dispensary on Laperriere Avenue. The next day, four morons with a gun robbed a South Keys dis-

Russell Barth ince the first marijuana dispensary in Ottawa opened S in late 2015, the total number of

dispensaries has grown to roughly twenty, depending on who you ask. There are even some dispensaries that the media and greater public don’t know about, but I and many others do, so the number is likely closer to twenty four.

It has not been without growing pains however. There have been seven dispensary robberies reported since the beginning of September, with one place even getting robbed twice in one day (although this wasn’t reported to police), and another having a truck literally driven right through the front of the store.

Several other robberies weren’t reported to police or the media.

If you are the armed-robbery type, the motivation for hitting these places is pretty simple: there is likely lots of cash and clean, re-sellable pot on site, not much security in the way of locks or guards or weapons, a staff who simply will not take a bullet for a minimum wage job, and a steep disinclination on the part of the owners and managers to phone up the police and say “Get down here, quick! Someone just stole all our pot!”

pensary, and on November 5th three goons and one gun robbed an Iber Road dispensary while a fourth goon waited outside. Two jerks robbed the Sylk Medy dispensary on Gladstone Avenue on November 11th, and on the 16th a dispensary was robbed on Antares Drive.

In mid-November, four men were charged with the robberies that occurred on November 5th, 11th, and 16th at Sylk Medy dispensary and the dispensary on Antares Drive on. Steven Constant, 23, and Immanuel Toussaint, 25, from Ottawa, and Dieudonné Ngondimwiki, 23, of Gatineau, and Cheslie Pharel, 22, of Vars, face a number of robbery-related charges, and may face more as the investigations continue.

Of course, in the middle of all this came the bust. There are a It started on September 6th lot of truly disgusting days in when two guys with a gun as-

Ottawa’s history, but not many of them rank higher than November 4th, 2016: the day Ottawa Police wasted time, money, and the public’s rapidly-shrinking goodwill on six dispensary busts across the city. Targeting CannaGreen, three Green Tree Medical Dispensary locations, and two WeeMedical Dispensary locations, nine people in total were charged.

However, MacAleese did spend time in a cold cell, he lost his job, and he is facing fourteen different charges including simple possession, possession with intent, 11 trafficking charges, and proceeds of crime under $5000. He could do time. Although he knew perfectly well that many people still consider marijuana laws valid and enforceable, he shares this writer’s attitude about it namely that: not only has the CDSA (as it pertains to cannabis) been rendered of no force or effect by many court rulings, but sec. 262 of the criminal code absolves him of the obligation to adhere to that law even if it hadn’t been invalidated.

He was also led to believe that his boss, one Mr. Robert Clarke of Vancouver, British Columbia, was going to have his back in the event of a bust. That is what the managers who hired him were told to tell him, anyway, but when things actually got hairy, Among them, Shawn Ma- MacAleese and his co-workers cAleese, a bud tender at Green were left on their own.

Tree Dispensary on Montreal Road and the first person to MacAleese is now jobless ever be placed in handcuffs for and without savings, so it is working in a pot dispensary in very fortunate that someone in Ottawa’s history.

Saskatoon heard of his plight and hired Toronto lawyer Paul “I started working at Green Lewin to defend him. His coTree on St. Laurent in August.” workers - simple 20-something He says. “They liked my work so bud-tenders - have not been as they moved me to the flagship lucky. location.”

The reason for the busts - beMacAleese says the police had yond the obvious - are not clear. come into the store many times Why bust these six and not the before, to check footage most- others? Was it a case of simly, but he knew something was ple officer availability? Police amiss when he saw ski masks. spokespeople say it was because these six places were selling to In the back of the cruiser, talk- people who were not genuinely ing to the officer who very po- in medical need, but were selllitely arrested him, he learned ing to anyone over the age of 19. that when the officers found out MacAleese disputes this, at least that their day’s assignment was in relation to the stores that he to bust six pot dispensaries, it worked in. was, according to the officer, “an eye-roll moment”.

Cannabis Digest • Winter 2017 “The clients see a doctor and the doctor confirms them as medical users. Then they can buy from us after we sign them up. We didn’t just sell it to anyone who flashed an ID.” MacAleese will also be cohosting what is being billed as possibly The Last People’s 420 on Parliament Hill in April of 2017. He and a handful of other Ottawa-area activists are putting the event together, but they worry that by April of 2018, the event will be commandeered and corporatized by some ACMPR company.

“We really want to make this about the peo5ple again.”

He said. “Next year people might have to buy a ticket at the gate to get in, if some LP gets permission to host it, so we really want to make this one grass roots, so to speak.”

raids would scare some more of them into closing but it didn’t.

Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordeleau says that these places “are not welcome in the community”, but thousands of Ottawans have proven him to be a liar. Aside from a few disgruntled neighbours, some handwringing parents, the constant scandalization and police-goading of the Ottawa Citizen/Sun editorial boards, and the huffy protestations of a few city councillors, no serious complaints about the presence of the dispensaries have been logged.

The police are leaning on landlords too, in an effort to get them to kick their “illegal” tenants out, with mixed results.

Four of the six locations were open again within a week and, with the Task Force’s December recommendations to the government suggesting dispensaries and lounges should be part of the new federal “legalization” regulations, I think we can expect many more to open up over the winter, both in Ottawa and across the country.

Meanwhile, the busts were publicly applauded by Cowardly Lion Mayor Jim Watson, NHL “enforcer” and councillor for Innes ward, Jody Mitic, and Most-Enthusiastic-CounselorIn the meantime, Ottawa’s At Summer-Camp and council- medical marijuana communilor for the Rideau-Vanier ward, ty must continue to grow and Mathieu Fleury. flourish while constantly bearing the stigmas of the media None of this has been a deter- and living in fear of police. rent to the dispensaries however. Police were hoping that the

Issue Number 51

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Suppository Molds Made Easy

How to Make Your Own Cheap Cannabis Suppository Molds 4. Place the tape sticky side 8. Wait 10-15 minutes for up on the seam of the paper the mix to semi harden. Twist cone to seal it. the remaining paper at the top for cleanliness and security. *BE SURE TO PLACE LOTS OF TAPE OVER THE POINTED END OF THE CONE SO THAT YOUR SUPPOSITORY MIXTURE WILL NOT RUN OUT OF ANY HOLE IN THE BOT1. Cut a 4 Inch strip of tape TOM* and set aside

Julia Veintrop

2. Cut a 3 Inch square out of the parchment paper.

he purpose of this arT ticles is to provide information to people lacking

access to suppository molds.

Due to the lack of available suppository molds, I believe it necessart to help make these materials accessible in any way we can.

What you will need: - Parchment paper or wax paper â&#x20AC;&#x201C; approx. $1.25 a roll at the dollar store - Tape: medical or strong clear tape - A small water glass, mug or jar - A pair of scissors

5. Poke a long, narrow object like a pen or chopstick inside the cone to brace against the Tip - You can also use your seam. Firmly set the seam. fingers to soften any edges or shape your suppository at this point.

3. Place your finger over one corner of the paper and begin These molds are very easy to rolling the other edges into make, affordable and all you the shape of a paper cone. The have to do is unwrap your supwidth of your cone will deterpository and throw out the pamine the width of your supper. The trickiest thing about pository. them is getting a tape that will stick well to your paper so that the entire thing is sealed. However, as long as you pour your mold when they are standing up in a cup, you will always be able to catch any runoff.

6. Cut off any excess paper but leave at least an inch above A lot of people have major the tape to twist closed. concerns ordering molds from online and often donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t try sup7. Stand your mold up in the positories that can make a gismall cup with the pointed ant difference regarding their end down. When you have health. It is my pleasure to made the amount of molds you share this mold with you as I would like, pour your mix into have made it often and know each one and place the cup in that it works - best of health, the fridge or freezer. love, luck and happiness to you.

Cannabis Digest • Winter 2017

The Good, Bad & Ugly

Dissecting the Canadian Cannabis Task Force Report ting the stage, though there are force makes it clear not ev- for the federal government to some serious flaws that will no eryone involved in the canna- show leadership.” doubt be improved upon over bis industry is in it for money. time. For now, advocates have “A network of cannabis growSetting the minimum age at their work cut out for them to ers, consumers and advocates 18 was an unexpected surprise, especially given the pressure the Canadian Medical Association applied to have the limit set at 25. In the second chapter the task force explains their wisdom in this decision.

“QUOTE NEEDED”

Ted Smith

I

n a comprehensive final report by the Task Force on Cannabis Legalization and Regulation, released to the public on Tues Dec 13, 2016, recommendations covering a broad range of areas of public policy have attempted to nurture the development of a robust industry, while addressing potential problems. Some recommendations appear very favourable to established cannabis advocates, while others are far too restrictive and bound to be struck down in court. Overall, these proposed regulations are a positive step forward and will give the federal government a solid base upon which to frame the actual laws.

I should stress that these are just recommendations and not actual law. The law will be entered into Parliament in Ottawa in the spring of 2017 and many fear it will be far more conservative than this report. No doubt every stakeholder likes some parts of this report and strongly disagrees with others.

There will be a great deal of pressure exerted by some special interest groups to dramatically change the direction the document suggests we take.

Any quotes in this article are taken directly from the task force’s proposal. For readers that want to follow along the regulations can be found online at healthycanadians.gc.ca/taskforce-marijuana-groupe-etude/ framework-cadre/index-eng. php With so many opposing forces demanding extreme positions, it was impossible for the task force to please everyone and this document seems to be a genuine attempt to strike a balance between conservative parents and a free society. Acknowledging this report as a beginning framework upon which to regulate cannabis, the task force has done a decent job set-

make sure those improvements who engage in an underground happen sooner than later. economy of cannabis cultivation and sale for compassionClearly, this is a historical ate reasons also exists. While moment for our country. In the these activities are in violation foreword the task force touch- of the Controlled Drugs and es upon the monumental shift Substances Act (CDSA), some that is occurring. cannabis stores ("dispensaries") and wellness clinics ("compas“For millennia, people have sion clubs") have nevertheless found ways to interact with been in operation for many cannabis for a range of medical, years in parts of the country. industrial, spiritual and social The Task Force heard from reasons, and modern science is several members of, and advoonly just beginning to unpack cates for, this community who the intricacies of cannabinoid report developing and adhering pharmacology. We are now to a strict internal code of stanshaping a new phase in this dards, closely resembling selfrelationship and, as we do so, regulation, and who wish to we recognize our stewardship differentiate themselves from not just of this unique plant solely profit-driven, illicit enbut also of our fragile environ- terprises.” ment, our social and corporate responsibilities, and our health In Chapter 2, Minimizing and humanity.”

Harms of Use, they go further, to say, “At the same time, the Here is my brief synopsis framework should reconsider of this report. I give you the existing security requirements Good, the Bad and the Ugly. that are in place under the Access to Cannabis for Medical Purposes Regulations. We The Good acknowledge that security requirements should not be so llowing provinces to strict that they are prohibitively determine distribution expensive or difficult to implesystems and encouraging in- ment, thus creating unnecestensive consultation with mu- sary barriers to entry into the nicipalities bodes well for es- regulated marketplace.” tablished dispensaries in cities that have started to issue liIn an interview with the Times censes to them. By suggesting Colonist, Victoria Mayor Lisa that the security requirements Helps said once the province to become a Licensed Produc- takes over regulation of mariers need to be reduced so as to juana distribution, the city will allow for smaller craft growers, likely scrap its cannabis bylaws. there even appears to be hope “That way we’ll have a comthat the current suppliers of prehensive approach across the dispensaries could also merge province, not one jurisdiction into the new legal system. to one jurisdiction,” Helps said.

“Our regulations were meant to In the Introduction, the task fill a vacuum. We were waiting

A

“Research suggests that cannabis use during adolescence may be associated with effects on the development of the brain. Use before a certain age comes with increased risk. Yet current science is not definitive on a safe age for cannabis use, so science alone cannot be relied upon to determine the age of lawful purchase.

Recognizing that persons under the age of 25 represent the segment of the population most likely to consume cannabis and to be charged with a cannabis possession offence, and in view of the Government's intention to move away from a system that criminalizes the use of cannabis, it is important in setting a minimum age that we do not disadvantage this population.

There was broad agreement among participants and the Task Force that setting the bar for legal access too high could result in a range of unintended consequences, such as leading those consumers to continue to purchase cannabis on the illicit market.

For these reasons, the Task Force is of the view that the federal government should set a minimum age of 18 for the legal sale of cannabis, leaving it to provinces and territories to set a higher minimum age should they wish to do so.”

Another pleasant surprise came when the task force refused to place limits on THC content or try to stop edible cannabis products from entering the market, as the city of Vancouver has done in its licensing of dispensaries. With so many fear mongers out there, it seemed unlikely the task force would have such an open position but in chapter 2 they do their best to explain why THC limits and similar measures would have counterproductive impacts.

“In weighing the arguments for and against limitations on edibles, the majority of the Task Force concluded that allowing these products offers an opportunity to better address other

Issue Number 51

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health risks. Edible cannabis from the illicit market and othproducts offer the possibility of er producers.” shifting consumers away from smoked cannabis and any associated lung-related harms. This The Bad is of benefit not just to the user but also to those around them nfortunately, in some who would otherwise be subways this report suggests ject to second-hand smoke. a withdrawal from prohibition but not an entire ceasefire.

This position comes with ca- Proposed limits of 4 plants veats. To protect the most vul- per household, with a 100 cm nerable, any products that are height limit and a 30 grams "appealing to children," such personal possession are bound as candies and other sweets, to be struck down in court, as should be prohibited. We ac- they are unnecessary, arbitrary knowledge that there is consid- and unenforceable. Instead of erable discretion in what con- giving adults the freedom to stitutes "appealing to children." supply themselves with homegrown cannabis, the proposals ...While there may be risks of build a corporate framework consuming high-potency con- meant to maximize profits and centrates, the dangers inher- tax revenue for the government. ent in their production strongly suggest that they be included as Diversion is the main cona part of the regulated industry, cern of this panel and the fedsubject to effective safety and eral government. They are quality-control restrictions. not worried about diversion to The harms associated with high THC potency remain a concern, and should be minimized. However, we do not believe that limiting THC content in concentrates is the most effective way to do so, based on current information. We agree children or to foreign countries. that, due to a lack of evidence, They are worried people might any chosen threshold would be smoke cannabis without paying arbitrary and a challenge to en- taxes on it. They want their cut force. Even the standard THC from every joint smoked. content of today's dried cannabis is considered high by hisThis was made clear by their torical standards.” decision to equally tax patients and recreational users, someInstead of creating arbitrary thing I will further explore limits, the task force wants the next article. The main concern government to use taxes to curb of the federal government has excessive use of potent canna- shifted and now the focus will bis products, as also outlined be to ensure that no black marin chapter 2. “We suggest that ket, aka untaxed cannabis, is variable tax rates or minimum sold and are they are prepared prices linked to THC level to create harsh economic pun(potency), similar to the pric- ishments for those who disobey. ing models used by several While the new legislation is provinces and territories for expected to draw cannabis out beer, wine and spirits, should of the Controlled Drugs and be applied to encourage con- Substance Act and into its own sumers to purchase less-potent set of regulations, there is evproducts.” ery reason to believe that law enforcement and the Canada As for advertising, it seems Revenue Agency will use heavy the proposals are relatively fair, fines and asset forfeiture laws though likely to change over to discourage anyone from selltime as the public loses its fear ing a joint to their neighbour. of the herb. Details on permitted advertising are also in Clearly enforcing any such chapter 2, and are very similar rules would be very difficult to how advertising for alcohol and a further drain on valuable and tobacco are managed. police resources. Are police expected to carry scales or know “Comprehensive advertis- what 30 grams of cannabis ing restrictions should cov- looks like? Nothing was even er any medium, including mentioned about cannabis exprint, broadcast, social media, tracts, as it would be impossible branded merchandise, etc., to try to enforce any such limand should apply to all can- its when you consider the vast nabis products, including re- number of things cannabis can lated accessories. Such restric- be infused into. Rather than tions could still leave room for look completely ridiculous by promotion at the point of sale, proposing a limit of cannabis which would answer industry extracts, the task force seems to concerns about allowing in- think they can just ignore that formation to be provided to issue entirely. consumers and some branding to differentiate their products However, the task force did

U

try to suggest plants grow no bigger than 100 cm, hurting their credibility in the cannabis industry while not really making anyone else happy. Are police now expected to go around each fall and measure everyone’s plants to make sure they are not too big? What if the plant is tied down?

This proposed 100 cm recommendation also virtually eliminates the possibility of growing many strains to full maturity.

This will not stop home cultivation, as some short, fat, fastgrowing plants can produce far more far faster than large sprawling plants. The only ones who would benefit from this 100 cm restriction are large companies who will be able to sell strains that people cannot easily grow for themselves.

the current medical program.

15

Patients are getting thrown under the bus with the proposed guidelines for legalization this task force just put out. The government task force clearly feels that people will find ways to get a doctor to sign a license to use cannabis if there are potential advantages, like lower prices, less tax or opportunities to grow. By making patients pay equal amounts for cannabis as recreational consumers, legalization appears to have no real advantages for those that need the help the most.

Just to be clear, when I say patients, I mean each and everyone of us except those lucky enough to just drop dead one day with no pain. Almost everyone is a patient at some Over time these arbitrary lim- point in our lives and so when I its are bound to be struck down say patients will suffer if these recommendations are implemented, what I really mean to say is we all will suffer.

"They want their cut from every joint smoked." in court or changed by rational governments. While most people will rely on purchasing their cannabis, there is no good reason to place such tight restrictions on those who choose to supply themselves. Legalization implies freedom. Not just freedom to smoke cannabis, but to grow it and produce your own medicines without fear or excessive paperwork.

The Ugly

he report is profoundly T disappointing for patients, shoving sick people aside

in the zeal to cash in on profits and taxes. The task force recommends less access with the removal of caregivers, no tax breaks and vague and weak language about pricing that leaves patients with little hope. While there are many good recommendations and the task force seems to have a grasp of many aspects of legalization, the failure to provide any significant benefits to patients fouls this report.

Legalization would not be happening in Canada or the United States if it were not for the wide range of substantial benefits cannabis provides to patients, along with their fights in court and on the streets for access to this medicine. Court battles have been fought, medical cannabis dispensaries established and many stories have been shared to bring light to this amazing medicine. The companies anticipating access to the legal market in Canada would not even exist if not for

“The Government will need to work closely with licensed producers and patients to identify and address emerging issues and take decisive action if required, whether requiring licensed producers to prioritize supply for medical users or establishing price controls for medical users. The Government should take the necessary steps to have the authority to regulate these issues moving forward, while being mindful that executing these authorities may create the potential for market distortion and exploitation as individuals seek to benefit from perceived advantages in the medical regime.”

Most Licensed Producers will likely have little to do with patients once they have access to the much larger recreational market. Governments will be hard pressed to find ways to force them to put herb aside for patients, grow special strains or produce specialty products like suppositories and salves. Profits are the motivation of these companies and patients will find little sympathy in that.

For many patients, like my love Gayle Quin who just died of cancer a few months ago, the option of growing your own medicine is physically impossible. Being forced to purchase all of the cannabis medicines she needed to stay alive would have cost us at least $200 per day for the last two years of her life. Thankfully she had a license to grow her own medicine and others with their own gardens pitched in what they could afford, or she would have died much sooner. These proposal are a dismal failure for patients like her for many reasons.

Cannabis Digest • Winter 2017

propriate timeframe for phasProposing to take away the ing out this provision as the opportunity to have a designat- new system for non-medical ed grower provide medicine is uses of cannabis is established.” a quick death sentence to some patients and a huge blow to the These proposals completely gut for others. How could any fail to recognize any use of canrational, caring person suggest nabis in palliative care. Instead that patients that are losing the of encouraging pilot projects for battle to stay alive must give up patients who wish to use cantheir garden when they can no nabis towards the end of their longer physically maintain it, lives, the task force only proforcing them to purchase every poses more research is done in gram they use? Yet that is what very general terms. This is the this task force has done, hoping same Liberal government that that a magical unicorn will ap- promised research when the pear to protect patients’ access. medical access programs were first brought into effect in the “However, the Task Force late 1990’s, but has done almost believes that the Government nothing then or now to actually should respond to the concerns see that research is done. Little expressed by municipalities, clinical research is being done law enforcement officials and in Canada on cannabis prodcommunity members by imme- ucts right now, in part because diately reviewing the current the drug approval process has risks associated with designat- been thwarted by court decied production and the ongo- sions and the government does ing need for such production. not conduct any research of its There should be a sufficient own. range of options available to patients in the future to easily This report could have been access cannabis for their medi- an opportunity for the task cal need. The majority of Task force to advance the developForce members believe that the ment of many health products problems with the activities of that contain little to no THC. some designated producers are To the great dismay of farmers, serious and that the Govern- patients and advocates, though, ment should determine an ap- the task force makes only weak

statements about what other areas of government might be doing on this issue. This is just more proof this government only has a limited understanding of the potential benefits of cannabis and that their collective fear of this plant still stops many from openly embracing it.

“Some companies may wish to market cannabis products as "wellness products" rather than as medicines. We understand that the federal government is currently conducting a review of its approach to the regulation of natural health products.

The question of CBD or other non-psychoactive cannabinoids as potential wellness products is likely to be explored in this review process and will be informed by emerging research in

this area.”

With a great deal of pressure from the Canadian Medical Association to remove the medical cannabis program entirely, the task force is using legalization as an excuse for withdrawing important components of the current medical program while offering no concrete benefits.

These proposed regulations are a step back for patients, treating them with suspicion rather than compassion. While the rest of the report deserves credit for proposing some progressive recommendations, everyone should be concerned what will happen to patients if these suggestions become law.

Issue Number 51

www.CannabisDigest.ca

Assessing A Messy Situation People and Players in the Canadian Cannabis Scene

this issue I'm going to hand over my space to some of the people and players in the scene, and let them tell you what they see for the coming year. In the order in which their responses arrived, I'd like to share these messages with you : Sam Mellace - Founder, New Age Medical Clinic - Toronto

Tracy Lamourie t would be almost imposI sible in this space to do justice to all that has happened in

2016 in Ontario - and to talk about everything that everyone in this amazing Cannabis Community is planning for 2017 - so I'm not even going to try.

Instead, I'm going to give you a glimpse into what the cannabis community is talking and thinking about here in Ontario.

In a year that saw a plethora of dispensaries opening across the country - and far too much police action (and wasted municipal resources) against them in Ontario (Toronto's "Project Claudia" busts being just one shameful example) we're ending the year with no slowdown.

I'm writing this on Dec 22, just two days after we experienced another bust here in Hamilton, where Royal Farmacy dispensary was served with a warrant. Charges were filed against against owner Shane Hansen.

They were open again before 24 hours had passed, with the good wishes of other area dispensaries, canna-business members and locals who were quick to extend their support. When I asked Shane what he would like to say to Cannabis Digest readers, he said : "We opened Royal Farmacy on April 20th. On our eighth month anniversary we were raided. We have 800 patients and I'm not stopping for anything. I am organizing a peaceful presence on Feb 9th at court for my hearing so the judge can see the face of the people I'm fighting for. I want them to see that this is bigger than just the dispensaries - they're not just hurting the owners and the employees. It's time for our community to have a bigger voice. "

"2017 will be another year of court challenges. The CDSA [The Canadian Drugs and Substances Act] must be changed, before any program can be enforced. Education is needed for the continued course. Doctors need to be educated, the public needs to be educated, on the benefits to cannabis use - to provide options for health care.

I can see more court challenges

as our federal government has not taken the public's interest to heart. 2017 should see the international scene opening up, which will change the Cannabis industry in Canada. The Political Favouritism in Canada must stop, and open up a free market for all."

sales model - direct producer to consumer such as wineries/ breweries wholesaling or selling direct to retailers/consumers could be the model for Licensed Producers, third party government licensed retail sales such as boutiques like The Wine Shoppe, grocery stores and more could be the model for dispensaries. Bars and clubs could be the model for direct consumer single consumption sales and could be easily incorporated into the already functioning vapor lounges. We hope the government quickly lays out a guideline for health and safety that can be adopted by already functioning companies like The High Street Bakery so we can take our research and development into a sales model and pay our fair share of taxes."

Rick Vrecic - True Compassion Toronto - Toronto

"2016 was a rough and tumble year with many clubs in the Toronto area forced to close. We here at TCT will continue the fight and keep our doors open as long as we are able. The fuOlivia Brown - The Way of ture with the recommendations the Flower Professional Can- from the legalization task force nabis Consulting - Hamilton looks a little more positive. I "This past year has been a two step forward, one step back kind of year. We as activists and healers have made huge progress in the face of a highly regimented government here in Canada. I am humbled and honoured to be a part of this now unstoppable Cannabis freedom movement."

Dan - Owner, High Street Bakery - Toronto

"We are cautiously optimistic about legalization, we hope recreational legalization of cannabis will at the least allow for a system on par to that of our -Shane Hansen - Owner, alcohol sales model -high levRoyal Farmacy - Hamilton, els of quality assurance, wide variety (and expanding) choice Ont. of products as well as a variety For the rest of my column in of distribution models similar to those built into the alcohol

17

myself have grave doubts about Justin Trudeau and the Liberal party - which is why we at TCT will continue the fight."

Naomi Poley - Cannabis Activist and Nurse - Toronto "In the past year we have had a mixed review. Gains made towards legalization & police raids to counter. The problem we are having is lack of patience & a great deal of greed.

My problem has little to do with legal or not, my problem is cost. I am medical with a 20 g/day prescription. My daily consumption is a solid 10 g/ day, which I am able to financially carry. But I am not able to claim my biggest expense on my income tax. I cannot afford the LP prices, and that is the only receipt we are allowed to claim.

The government wants me to pay them back approximately $3000/yr when my monthly medical costs are $1000-$1200 for cannabis. To me this is ridiculous. At least there are discount pharmacies & insurance companies to assist seniors with all the legal poisons prescribed by the medical field. " Michael "Puffdog" Thomas - Founder, International Dads for Marijuana - St Catharines, Ont. "I am happy that the new program permits patients to produce their own as there is significant therapeutic value in growing oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own cannabis for medical purpose both mentally and physically. On the recreational end it is my belief that the federal government will drag the legalization process out to ensure that the corpo-

Cannabis Digest • Winter 2017 rate take over is done in a way that satisfies the large corporate producers. As far as keeping it out of the hands of children is concerned, I see this approach as fear mongering on behalf of the federal government. Once again [they are] promoting the reefer madness toxic propaganda. Perhaps the federal government should allow parents to parent their children and stop demonizing cannabis."

Russell Barth - Host, ‘Pottawa’ on Youtube - Ottawa, Ont. "In Ottawa we saw local Ward Councillors and the Mayor himself try to make political hay off the backs of sick people and their suppliers. Calling them bandits and insisting that the police 'do something'.

The Ottawa Citizen/Sun editorial board tried their best to humiliate landlords, goad police, scandalize the public and stigmatize the dispensaries, if not the users. The best part of all this is how miserably it all failed. Seven busts in one day resulted in more than half being reopened a few days later.

There are now somewhere between 18 and 24 dispensaries in Ottawa and aside from a handful of hand-wringers, the public loves them."

Matthew Rash - Owner, have been celebrated for your Haze Boutique - Brampton, work in this movement or not Ont. : I, and many others, applaud you.

"Last year still amazes me as the money continues to profit It's YOU that has brought us the rich, and companies care this far - all of you. more about their bottom lines and shareholders then the paNow we're in the finish line, tients that buy their inferior and governments and opposiproduct for enormous price.

It’s sad for a Government that won because of this majestic plant and citizens looking for a change [to] turn their backs and make it all about the big business! I think we need to be involved at the government levels where we can actually make a change whether it’s municipal, provincial or federal. We must continue to fight for what we know is right and educate people whenever we can and then everything will fall into place for us patients."

Let me end this last column of 2016 and the first column of 2017 with this : A GIANT thank you, to ALL of those, known and unknown - celebrated, and working quietly behind the scenes - in any way, in whatever way - to fight prohibition. Every single one of you - whether you have been mentioned in this column or in Cannabis Digest or in other media this year, whether you

tion parties are talking about HOW legalization should look instead of WHETHER we should legalize. The stigma that used to exist is almost gone - and that alone is a MAJOR win. The battle's not over yet, but...together....we’ve got this!

Issue Number 51

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Vaporiser Basics Enter the Rapidly Evolving World of the Vaporizer

Owen Smith art of the new wave of 21st P century cannabis use is the proliferation of vaporizers. A

vaporizer is a device used to heat plant material without combustion to extract it’s volatile oils.

Initially vaporizers were used for aromatherapy, but they have since been redefined for use with medical cannabis. “Vape” was the Oxford English dictionary word of the year in 2014 and vaping is quickly becoming a popular alternative to smoking for people seeking to receive the benefits of inhalation.

(Chart: Dosing Multiple Methods of Administration )

repeating this process. The most recent vaporizer I have tried, almost 15 years later, the Pax, is a discrete, portable, rechargeable single-unit, “A vaporizer worthy of Batman”. With temperature controls and L.E.D. indicators, you need only wait for the green light and push the button when The main benefit of choosing you want to inhale. to inhale a medicine is an almost instant onset of effects. This is especially helpful for unpredictable spikes in pain or other conditions that have a severe and sudden onset. As a child I was prescribed a ventolin inhaler to deal with acute bouts of asthma.

With inhalation the effects are short lasting, peaking within half an hour and then trailing off. When we take a pill or eat a cookie our stomach slowly breaks down the compounds into our bloodstream over many hours. The longer duration of effects is ideal for sleeping through the night; where a vaporizer may be helpful to get out of bed in the morning.

The chart (top of page) illustrates this idea. A generalized pattern of fluctuating chronic pain is overlaid with the release of medical cannabis when eaten and inhaled over an eight hour period. When pain levels rise, at certain times exceeding the relief threshold provided by an edible, a small amount can be inhaled to complete the treatment.

Choosing a Vaporizer

noids they desire. The temperature gauges of vaporizers have varying degrees of accuracy, and some less sophisticated models require the user to pump the heat instead of sustaining it to avoid combustion.

Conduction and Convection

(image from weecke.com) It can be challenging to keep up with the evolution of vapor technology as some models work not only with dried herbs but oils, concentrates and glycerin based extracts. E-cigs have spread in popularity with many people seeking nicotine without having to smoke tobacco. These products are not always compatible with medical cannabis use.

Vaporizers reduce the impact and consequential social concern associated with the odor produced by cannabis smoke.

Head shops and vapor lounges are available in some cities as a place where patients can become oriented to the selection of vaporizers and how to use them.

Vaporizers are sold at dispensaries like the V-CBC in Victoria.

Staff as well as other medicinal users are happy to show newcomers the basics.

The first vaporizer I ever used had a small hot plate that heated the ground-up herb inside a glass jar with a tube and mouthpiece.

You would turn the vaporizer In the V-CBC vapor lounge on until you could see and taste there are charts to help patients the vapor and then turn it off learn the finer details required before the herb began to toast, to target the particular cannabi-

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There are two main methods that vaporizers use to heat plant material for vaporization: conduction and convection. Conduction involves direct contact between the plant material and the hot element, like a frying pan. Convection instead pushes heated air over the material like a hair dryer. Conduction methods will tend to over-heat the material that is touching the element while convection methods offer more thorough and even exposure.

Conduction vaporizers have been around longer and are generally less expensive than convection models. Convection vaporizers either use a fan or pump to force the air through the heating element and herbs, or just rely on the users inhalation to draw the air. Some older vaporizers come with a long tube and mouthpiece; others have the mouthpiece directly attached to the unit while others fill a bag that is then inhaled by the user.

From the simpler conduction models of the 1990’s, there continues to be a steady evolution of vaporizer technology with advanced handheld devices that have more precise temperature gauges. Storz & Bickel created the Volcano Medic Vaporizer, which offers “reliable and reproducible method for the administration of THC” (Abrams 2007, Zuurman 2008). (article previously appeared at Canlio.com)

Cannabis Digest â&#x20AC;˘ Winter 2017

Issue Number 51

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Next Leve

Working With Established Lobby and approaching any level of government to bargain for the imposition of fair and practical policies with the coming legalization of cannabis is more likely to happen when the government sees a sizeable amount of ith legalization stampeding support for our end of the cannabis ahead, many long-term can- industry.” nabis activists are very concerned about unnecessary regulations and Hopefully others across Canada will over-taxation. A report issued this grasp the importance of this memmonth by a task force has informed bership drive, as there are many benthe federal government about the cur- efits to joining the CFIB and workrent situation and made a series of rec- ing together through its established ommendations that contain good, bad networks. Cannabis businesses in and ugly suggestions that the Liberals will take into consideration when they introduce legislation to legalize cannabis in the spring of 2017. It is clear that if activists desire improvements in the law, now and into the future, that we had better improve our game.

Ted Smith

W

business, we believe, is a further advantage to those in the cannabis industry who would consider themselves craft or artisan level producers of medical cannabis products, as well as many dispensaries. In the run-up to the federal government's regulation of cannabis for all adults across the country we know that big corporate cannabis is spending a lot of money right now to try and take as much of the marketplace over as they possibly can. [They are] trying to push the federal government to come up with very restrictive policies that would pre-

Traditionally our movement has made its big moves in court or on the streets but those days are gone. We need to learn how to lobby and gain allies in the lobby industry if we want to have any success in lowering taxes and fighting barriers for small business to access the industry. There could be no better ally for the cannabis industry than the Canadian Federation of Independant Business.

On Thursday, January 19, 2017 at 2 pm at the downtown Victoria library, the BC Independent Cannabis Alliance will be hosting a meeting with the CFIB in an attempt to encourage fledgling cannabis dispensaries and entrepreneurs to join the organization. We will be joined by local representative Scott Bonner, along with Samantha Howard, Director of the CFIB's BC office. “Samantha and I look forward to sitting down to talk about how CFIB supports and adds value for entrepreneurs and small businesses.”

Jim Leslie from The Kootenay Medicine Tree is clearly ready to seize the moment. “Our dispensary's board of directors began examining the Canadian Federation for Independent Business as a possible entity to help us gain more leverage leading to more expedient results when talking to both federal and provincial levels of government over a variety of topics that concern small businesses and that certainly pertain to our cannabis industry. There are over 110,000 individual small business members of the CFIB

every province should be contacting their regional representative of CFIB to host similar events, as we need to protect small business in the cannabis industry now before it is too late. As Jim states, we have to act now if we hope to protect small business in the cannabis industry. He continues: “Furthermore the CFIB does not represent any publicly traded companies and has grown to become the fifth largest lobby group in Canada.

The fact that it only represents small

clude much of the working industry now from participating in whatever a legalized cannabis industry will look like in Canada. In order to protect the members of our dispensary and all the local craft and artisan level producers including growers, extraction artists, edible product manufacturers, harvesting processors, etc associated with our industry we must become a cohesive force and show that we can become organized at the national and provincial levels to help properly steer the imposition of legalization in

Cannabis Digest • Winter 2017

l Activism

Group Gives Craft Cannabis Clout a direction that allows fair treatment juana’ ] and participation for small businesses within the Canadian cannabis indus“Focus on critical regulatory imtry.” peratives: Too often, governments examine a new area where regulation is It is clear in this article by CFIB needed and quickly expand the manpresident Dan Kelly, that this is the date to include every moving part. best organization in the country for us This automatically means proper ento join to collectively fight poor gov- forcement is near impossible. Choosernment regulations. The CFIB has a ing a few critical regulatory priorities, long history of fighting for the little such as preventing sales to minors, guy and often achieving their goals ensuring proper product safety inforthrough one means or another. This mation and rules, and prohibitions at organization also gives us an oppor- work or while driving, seems to be a tunity to educate other small busi- great place to start. Choose the most

ness owners about their opportunities in the new industry, further expanding our networks and entrenching us deeper in our communities as we embrace for the future of big business in cannabis.

important aspects to regulate and then do them well. Leave the rest alone.”

“Get the taxation mix right: If governments slap giant taxes on the industry, particularly in the early days, much of it will remain underground.

Here are some of his comments From decades of experience with toabout the need to effectively lobby the bacco taxation, we know conclusively federal government. that punitive tax rates may discourage some users, but pushes lots of sales to [Originally published in the Finan- the underground economy.” cial Post article ‘Entrepreneurs Have a Key Role to Play in Legalizing MariOne of the other huge benefits of

joining the CFIB is their resources for small business. Whether it is saving money on credit card services or providing advice on taxes, labour relations and small business management, the CFIB has a great deal to offer for any business. With a cast of individuals committed to helping small business succeed, there is no doubt in my mind that the Canadian Federation of Independent Business is the cannabis industry’s best bet when it comes to lobbying for reasonable regulations and fair taxes.

Of course there are other organizations that lobby the government and we should hit them from every angle.

As Jim goes on to say: “We advocate that everyone in the cannabis industry in this country join at least one trade organization that is cannabis oriented.

There are at least five of them that I can think of that would fit this description. Beyond that, it is important to examine joining the CFIB for their political clout and successful lobbying experience and enormous small business membership. These are all advantages that we believe will only benefit those of us who have been participating in this industry for many years and those of us who want to join this industry but do not have millions of dollars and shareholders as advantages coming out of the gate. One of the most exciting things I think we can do as an industry is to participate with the CFIB; join them as an industry and then work with their board of directors to create a pro- cannabis small business approach and a set of policies with which to help our industry protect itself and grow larger in the coming years.”

Indeed the wider range of opportunities that are now presenting themselves to the cannabis industry is mind-boggling but if we do not have organizations like the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses working with us then those advantages will get handed over to big businesses. We have to fight together, work together and lobby together if the cannabis field wants to maximize its potential economic, medical and environmental benefits. Craft cannabis has a chance to be included in legalization from the beginning but it will not happen without groups like the CFIB going to bat for us.

Issue Number 51

www.CannabisDigest.ca

Parsing Trudeau A Rant for a Rant: Parsing Mr. Trudeau.

is to say, ‘pleasing recreational users’ is the bin into which I’ve tossed all of the above concerns.

It’s my bin, so I can put in what I please. And it’s a morally bad bin, to boot. We’re not about any of these things. Moreover, I will continue to call cannabis ‘marijuana,’ despite the fact, as I well know, that ‘marijuana’ is a racist term, and needs to be retired, no matter what it says in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

deals with pharmacies and liquor stores. And we can provide the Licensed Producers, favourites of Bill Blair, my leading light, with more time to colonize the cannabis world. Go LPs!

B) As it may be years before a pro cannabis law is passed, brace yourselves. We are coming to arrest you. But only in some cities, of course. We hate to be consistent. It takes away from our mystique, which takes away from our power. We think of ourselves as 2. “We can only get legaliza- Wizards of Oz, unreformed, of Judith Stamps tion right with MY new regu- course. he first weekend of De- latory framework.” What do I 3. Until the plan is complete, cember, a rattled, angry mean? the current prohibition stands.

Trudeau attempted to defend his government’s legalization process. Like anyone with a murky agenda, he packed a lot of shaky assumptions into a few words, hoping, I suppose, to send a message that is simple and clear.

But the message is tangled, and meaning, clear as mud. Here are his words.

T

1. My government’s promise to legalize ‘marijuana’ is about two things: protecting kids from easy access, and eliminating the “criminal element.”

2. That is possible, but only with our new framework.

I have heard that there is a vi3. The framework’s not done brant, multi-billion dollar cannabis industry in BC, with over yet.

13,000 employees; that there 4. Until it’s done, the current are about over 20,000 Canadian MMAR growers, who supply prohibition stands. cannabis to about 350 dispensa5. P.S., we are not here to please ries across the country; and that almost none of these represents the recreational users. “the criminal element.” I know 6. So, how much clearer can we that in some Canadian cities, dispensaries are tolerated by police be? and local governments, and are Much clearer, I submit. To in the process of receiving city bring reality to Trudeau’s mes- licenses. I know that BC has sage, let us begin by adding what long been on the forefront of remains unsaid. The message public health approaches to subshould read something like this. stances that are currently illegal.

So, practically speaking, “only in 1. My government’s promise to MY new regulatory framework” legalize cannabis is NOT about: means,:

A) For the time being, dispenA) the suffering of 30,000 Canadians arrested since the day I saries in some cities will remain open. Their police are not cotook office.

B) the patients for whom dis- operating with us. Also, some of the legacy cannabis industry will pensaries are a lifeline.

C) the children taken away continue to thrive. We have done from parents in the name of pro- our best. We have ordered the industry to stop breathing until hibition.

D) the Canadians who have further notice. It will not listen. risked their freedom to bring us I hear it breathing even now.

And its members refuse to buy legalization.

E) the quality of cannabis, and the extra bags of kitty litter we’ve ordered for the shops this Christcannabis products.

F) the fact that cannabis is a mas. They’ve even shunned our fine plant with multiple, good festive, seasonal packaging. But damn it, we can squelch dispenuses.

E) anything remotely positive. saries and their suppliers in other cities, especially Toronto, where That stuff, A to E? It’s all about my friend and supporter, Premier pleasing recreational users. That Kathleen Wynne, is busy making

This means, I have it on good authority that there is much expertise amongst activists, and in the gray economy, on all aspects of cannabis: medical, scientific, historical, and spiritual. But my plan calls for the scrapping the entire culture, knowledge and all.

You can call it cultural cleansing, or lending a hand to the

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LPs, whose public shares grow stronger by the day, or siphoning the money out of BC and into Ontario, or indeed, anything you like. However phrased, we the Liberal Party of Canada are set on a course make our dirty, I mean, duty, clean, er, I mean, clear. Or, as I said earlier, how much cleaner, I mean, clearer, can we be?

4. We are not here to please recreational users. I mean, we might please them, but that will be a mere side effect of our new system, scrubbed of legacy growers, processors, medicine makers, scholars, spiritualists, and all other such riff raff. Pleasure, good pleasure, that is, is a side effect, not of cannabis, but of industrial cleansing. You may not be convinced today, but wait until you see experience the cannabis we have in store for you.

On a final note, I hear that all of you cannabis fans, medical and otherwise, like thick, concentrated oils. We like them too. That’s why we plan to ship five times the usual volume of oil through Vancouver harbour, scattering the fair province of BC, Lotus Land to some, with our pipelines.

What’s that? You wouldn’t mind us shipping cannabis oil? Good luck. It’s illegal. And if I have anything to do with it, it will remain so. Meanwhile wait for the task force. Any day now, they will have a treat for you. Oh, and rouse your lawyers. You’ll need them.

Yours Truly Justin.

Cannabis Digest â&#x20AC;˘ Winter 2017 Reference: h t t p s : / / w w w. t h e s t a r. c o m / news/queenspark/2016/12/03/ tr udeau-urges-police-to-enforce-the-law-on-mar ijuana. html

Issue Number 51

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Issue Number 51

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Cannabis Digest • Winter 2017

Updates , Warnings and Suggestions tual shift to adult sales. While the club initially formed to protect patients suffering from serious medical problems, it is clear that if the club is able to survive and become a part of the new legal system, it will be licensed to sell to anyone over the age limit the province determines. At some point it will make no sense for the club to limit sales to patients while other dispensaries openly sell to all adults, giving them the ability to give deep discounts to sick people.

Ted Smith his year promises to be T one of the most exciting of my career as many person-

al projects will be coming to fruition on the ground while legalization looms in the air.

It is with a bittersweet sadness though that I have so much time to devote to the cause, as it is only possible because my love, Gayle Quin, has passed away from cancer in the fall of 2016 after a long fight with cancer. This newspaper, and virtually everything I do in my life, is now forever dedicated to her memory and we are constantly trying to live up to her ideals and standards.

To start the year off we will be celebrating the 21st anniversary of the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club, with our Annual General Meeting on Sun Jan 29, followed by a potluck at the VCBC. With a few open spaces on the board of directors, the club really needs some new, fresh faces to help out managing the huge potential our organization has. There will be door prizes at the AGM and lots of tasty food at the potluck, so hopefully many members will join us for the festivities.

One of the main topics we will be discussing is the even-

exemption to the bylaws.

Recently the VCBC has added its fine selection of raw cannabis strains to its menu for patients purchasing products by mail order. In the past we have stuck with shipping just our food and skin products, as the risk and headache did not make it worth the effort.

However, with the city preparing to give us a license that states we can do mail orders, the time seems right for us to take things to the next level.

With one grower supplying the club for 18 years, another for 15, and several more coming up on 14 years of providing medicine to us, we have one of the most experienced networks of committed growers in the world.

With this new system, the club will still register patients separately and give them discounts and free access to the smoking room. It is my hope to create a special category for patients with cancer in palliative care situations. If we are doing well enough with sales Many of my future projects and donations, it is my hope to will be specifically dedicated

"the time seems right for us to take things to the next level"

provide a very deep discount and access to special products for patients dying from cancer.

Next issue I will speak more of the special cannabis-focused palliative care facilities I wish to create in Gayle’s name.

The debates are being held in partnership with the BC Independent Cannabis Alliance, a loose-knit group I formed last summer to bring like-minded, local activists together to lobby the province.

With so many important issues to deal with, we have been working very well as a team trying to convince the public, bureaucrats and politicians that creating an industry that includes craft growers and value-added products is the best route. Anyone interested in attending our monthly meetings should contact me.

With the provincial election coming up in early May, we are hoping all three major parties in BC realize that the existing craft networks fighting to become a part of the new legal system need to be a part of any industry model they create.

Everyone in the province concerned about tight regulations squeezing out current suppliers and distributors should help us write letters, ask politicians questions at debates and engage in social media. Together we can make the public realize that the best outcome for everyone is a fair, open regulatory system that includes small business.

to my love. The next one will be the Gayle Quin Colouring Book, made up of front covers of the last few dozen issues of the Cannabis Digest. She absolutely loved colouring and it was always her dream to have a little book made of the front Of course, the big news for covers. We will do our best to Of course the next big party the club is the reopening of have this ready for sale by her everyone is looking forward the smoking room. When birthday on April 16. to is April 20. In Victoria we Victoria City council passed hope to add live music and the bylaws regulating cannaAfter that, the International more vendors to the mix this bis dispensaries in September, Hempology 101 Society plans year, although we will refrain no consumption was allowed on publishing a small cook- from vendors selling cannabis at all. Bylaw officials came to book and a better version of products for several reasons. the club to inform us that we our cannabis carol booklet in We are hoping to have far too face fines and could risk not the fall. These should all be many people show up for Cengetting a license if we kept simple $5 retail books that will tennial Square to handle, forcour smoking room open. We help us share the knowledge ing the city to give us a bigger, felt we had little choice but to and joy we have gathered over better space for future years. shut it down and fight to get it the years. In the future we Watch for posters with details back. It did not take long be- hope to publish a larger cook- about the performers. fore city council realized their book and several other cannamistake, as the majority have bis publications.

Looking ahead to 2017, the clearly seemed supportive of future seems very bright ineverything our club is doing, At UVic, the Hempology 101 deed for the Cannabis Digest, and so with only one opposed, student club is planning on the Victoria Cannabis Buyers a quick vote gave our club an hosting a series of debates this Club and myself personally. I semester to help students and feel I cannot thank my friends, the public understand some of the writers and advertisers of the details being considered in this paper enough, as the Canthe legalization scheme of the nabis Digest would not have federal government. If all goes survived the last few years as planned there should a total without volumes of support of 3 debates, one at the end of from you all. While there is each month, focused on grow- still a struggle ahead, knowing ers, patients and dispensaries. I have such a strong foundaIt has been a few years since tion behind me makes me feel the club has done more than ready to take it all on again. host the weekly Wednesday 420 circles, which have been happening for 18 years, and we Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em. are looking forward to watching that group grow back to its former size.

Issue Number 51

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The Seeds of Freedom Mat launched a constitutional court battle that would last 6 years. He was represented by Kirk Tousaw, an expert in constitutional law. Tousaw was also my counsel.

Owen Smith When I was arrested and charged in 2009 for “trafficking THC” by making cannabis products for the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club (V-CBC), I had a choice.

I could choose either the short road, and strike some kind of plea bargain with the crown prosecution to have my charges reduced, or I could take the long road of a constitutional challenge to the medical cannabis regulations. At the time, I was well aware of the travails of previous constitutional challengers who had safely found some light at the end of their long winding roads. The most recent example was the trial of R. v.

Beren and Swallow.

Mat was given an absolute discharge (guilty but no criminal record). This precedent gave me some confidence when choosing to launch my own challenge in 2009. Health Canada was given a year to change the Medical Marihuana Access Regulations to allow for more than three licensed growers to share a facility, and for a licensed grower to provide for more than one patient. Health Canada responded in the most minimal way possible, allowing for four growers instead of three

rich cannabis. They make CBD Caramels that have received positive feedback from dispensary members for their non-psychoactive medicinal effects.

Mat has been collecting trophies from cannabis competitions across Canada and around the world. His “full melt dry sift” became world renown after winning 2nd place at the Amsterdam High Times cup. In collaboration with Bubbleman, he has since mastered more “dry sift” purification techniques.

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Mat’s story serves as an example of how larger-scale facilities can provide the quality of cannabis and, through patient feedback, improve the plant for everybody.

Let’s hope Licensed Producers are taking notes. Mat believes that apart from being licensed by Health Canada and having much larger facilities (that would presumably reduce the price), LPs don’t have an advantage over home growers. Large scale facilities have to maintain an equal, if not greater level of scrutiny, at their grow sites to avoid the many difficulties that can occur when growing quality medicinal cannabis.

Mat is an advocate of Rosin, which he makes using water hash in Tea Bags under the pressure and heat of a T-shirt press. He notes it can Mat has continued to blaze a trail be made well enough with a digi- many years after his road of trials came to an end. Check out House of the Great Gardener online, and Listen to my interview with Mat Beren at Time4Hemp.

Mat Beren attended a portion of my trial in 2012, offering re-as(Kirk Tousaw, Me and Mat Beren) suring words with his relaxed and friendly attitude. I recently got to interview Mat on my bi-weekly in the same space, and for each tal hair straightener at 180F. He grower to provide for two instead praises its smooth smoke, solvent talk radio slot at Time4Hemp. of only one patient. free purity and short processing time, but acknowledges that the The motto of Mat’s Ontario As Mat was already growing for process loses terpenes. Because it hometown is “High, Healthy and 400 patients at the VICS, this did avoids the use of “highly flammaHappy.” In the Nineties, durnot strike him as an adequate reble solvents,” Rosin is one of the ing his Shamanic drum work, he sponse.

In some ways R v Beren methods of concentration that began to ponder deeply how he could help to make Cannabis a could be seen as foundational to is permitted to those protected better plant. Mat became aware the formation of the MMPR, under the Allard Injunction in that cannabis was being grown which was introduced four years Health Canada’s recent Section largely for the purpose of mak- later, and has more thoroughly 56 exemptions. ing money. His intention to help addressed the need for large propeople led him to focus his at- duction facilities and co-opera- Mat sees the Section 56 exemption as an inadequate response tention on improving the effects tion among growers. to the Supreme Court of Canada that cannabis has within our bodAfter the trial Mat formed House ruling in my case earlier this year. ies. In 2002 Mat travelled west in of the Great Gardener to provide As in 2009, when Health Canasearch of a place to grow cannabis seeds to club members who may da side-stepped the court’s order in order to make people feel betwant to grow their own.

Offering from his trial, H.C. has re-introter. varieties that had been routinely duced arbitrary restrictions, such After growing his first crop, Mat tried and tested by club mem- as a low-dose limit, that will inwent in search of a compassion bers, he has continued to culti- evitably lead to further litigation club, and was directed to the Van- vate strains that target particular in the courts. couver Island Compassion Soci- needs based on feedback from the ety (VICS). He had eight strains, VICS. Mat now has an arsenal Mat laments that Licensed Proeach labeled with a general profile of cannabis genetics spanning the ducers are bound by Health Canof its medicinal effects. The next Sativa to Indica scale, and plung- ada’s over-restrictive regulations.

He applauds LPs for engaging day, he began working for the ing deeply into CBD territory. in the move forward, and thinks VICS, and has been with them Mat believes that prohibition that apart from prohibiting paever since. caused growers to breed CBD out tients from growing their own, In 2004, Mat collaborated with of their cultivars in an attempt to the MMPR has been a move in the VICS to help start the Van- maximize profitability. As dis- the right direction. Mat is curcouver Island Cannabis Thera- pensaries emerged, focusing on rently protected by the Allard peutic Research Institute (VIC- feedback from medicinal users, court injunction, and is keenly TRI). Mat can still remember CBD began to make its come- waiting with thousands of others all the red laser scopes dotting its back. House of the Great Gar- to hear a decision from the judge hallway later that year, when the dener has recently released CBD on whether patients can retain police raided the club. In a re- René, the latest in a project geared their legal right to grow cannabis. sponse similar to mine in 2009, toward creating flavourful, CBD

(Article previously appeared at LiftCannabis.ca)

Cannabis Digest â&#x20AC;˘ Winter 2017

Issue Number 51

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Weaving Through The Haze Accessing the ACMPR - Part 2

2. He will refer me to a dif-

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It turned into, “You can’t just will talk to you about different assume this herb will be your drugs you could take.” ferent Doctor so that I can get my ACMPR - I just have to wonder drug.”

“Sure, Ill talk to them about find them myself. Being horI very sweetly and politely my cannabis use.” rified at the minimum $200 reminded him that as a Caapplication fee wasn’t enough nadian Citizen, It is my legal I was watching this deep to get him to reconsider. So far, $200 is the cheapest I can right to take whatever medi- crimson colour creep up his find but some places it’s a cool cine I would like to treat what- neck from his collar it dawned $500 just to start the process. ever condition I have. That on him that I really mean to do Even worse, the license is only the College of Physicians and this. He was utterly flummoxed good for a year so this would Surgeons do not legally back and totally pissed. Then, he become an annual expense. In any new medical information said the funniest thing I have my opinion, the idea of this fee unless it has been confirmed ever heard a doctor say… is corrupt. Sick people don’t by long term human testing of “well…well…what….well…. have the extra money to buy more than 10 years and that has not been concluded… yet.

What are you gonna do? the right to access their mediSmoke a doobie in the operJulia Veintrop ating room????!!?? They can’t give you IV MARIJUANNA!!!!???!!” y Doctor and I continue to brawl. Unfortunately, It was really hard to keep my My health likes to rollercoaster composure as I could tell he and I find myself needing that was flabbergasted but trying paperwork a little sooner than to understand. I explained that I imagined. I am going under we could use anti-inflammatothe knife again pretty soon and ries, local anesthetic and there I don’t take opiates so, I want are concentrated cannabis to be licensed. I am taking this products that I can take subas a sign that I am meant to lingually. He shook his head have my ACMPR and this is Thus, Cannabis has yet be and put in the referral for the the universes way of proving it cine every year. The wealthy to me; also, this flare up gives and those who have exagger- proved or disproved as an ap- specialist. me a little extra leverage in ated an illness for recreational propriate medicine and I am The Conclussion – My Docterms of cementing justifica- purposes can afford this but choosing to exercise my legal right to use it. tor earns every penny he makes tion for said ACMPR. Silver those financially limited from when I walk in the door and we sickness cannot. I have a friend linings do exist.

“Well…you have to see a pain both know it. He has no idea with a license for 400 plants specialist then. I am sending what to do with me hounding for “mild anxiety” and I am a So here is where I am at: cancer patient fighting for her you to a pain specialist. They him for my ACMPR but he I have been visiting with my access to any. family doctor every 2 weeks 3. He freaked right out when now trying to figure this issue he realized I will be going out. I started to bring various family members to visits to through surgery without opimake the appointments a bit ates. I have told him time and more uncomfortable. I wanted time again but he didn’t listen. to remind my Doctor that when My Doctor always imagined someone is denied their choice that when the time came, he of safe medicine, the entire could pull out his prescription family is suffering. Although and dole me out some pills unwe have had several conversa- til this last visit. The conversations about it, it is clear that tion began with him telling me my GP and I are at an impasse. I might change my mind when He has and continues to refuse the time comes but it is coming to fill out the paperwork for soon so it has to be discussed. I medical marijuana under ANY explained again that my plans circumstances for ANY condi- were to go through surgery ustion. Our last visit was very in- ing anti-inflammatories, local teresting and we came to a few anesthetic and cannabis. He suggested Gabapentin: conclusions…

M

1.

He has no problem with me using Cannabis. The fact that I haven’t had any other pain killer in over 2 years is something my Doctor and I both celebrate. He thinks it is awesome that I don’t ever want to see a triplicate prescription pad (unless I am desperate for a rolling paper) and whatever I am doing to replace that works for him. In fact, I have never received any form of negative reaction or discouragement of my cannabis use whatsoever.

He started to explain it and told me that perhaps if I started taking that everyday, it might help my pain. I would be on a new medication every day potentially for the rest of my life.

No thanks, cannabis please.

He explained I could try it for a few months.

Nope, cannabis thanks.

Cannabis Digest â&#x20AC;˘ Winter 2017

has been with me since I was a kid, so, he knows I will never stop. You will never meet a GP who sticks to the letter the law more so than mine and we are at a stalemate. I am going to see my specialist in Vancouver and this pain specialist; I am being told to bring the ACMPR forms to them. The point I will

make and stress: If a doctor has a legitimate reason to prescribe me an opiate, why wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t they prescribe me a medicine that is much safer? They better have a good reason because I am getting frustratedâ&#x20AC;Ś

Issue Number 51

www.CannabisDigest.ca

Cannabis Digest • Winter 2017

Creating a stable glycerin infusion to eat or vape

Owen Smith

T

he process of creating a consistent cannabis edible, topical or inhalable product is a unique challenge facing modern product producers.

Fortunately advancements in modern technology give us the capacity to meet this challenge like no other period in history.

Where cannabis is prohibited, producers are less likely to invest in equipment that can be seized by authorities. Jurisdictions that permit productions, processing and sale of cannabis are getting kick-started by the inclusion of modern scientific lab equipment. The sudden introduction of cannabis concrete resins known as rosin, shatter or BHO absolute can be attributed to this advancement.

New challenges arise when seeking to dilute a resinous concentrated oil into a carrier liquid. Every possible carrier for a cannabis infusion will require individual fine tuning to suit the qualities of the medium. I will be exploring some basic equipment that can make a big difference in the overall consistency of the end products, especially when making large batches.

A prime example of a product that offers definite challenges to produce is E-Juice or E-Liquid, a glycerin infusion used in vapor pens. Vapor pens have risen quickly in popularity and are cheap, discrete and easy to use. Vapor Accessory outlets often feature a wall of E-Juice flavors that is more diverse than an ice cream shop.

However, like ice cream shops, the vapor outlets don’t carry a cannabis infused product.

There is a two hour process for making E-Juice for your vapor pen with cannabis oil

and vegetable glycerin. These two substances separate rapidly in a container, the cannabis oil settling to the bottom.

The process outlined uses a Homogenizer to combine the two very different substances into one. This process of mechanical emulsification with the Homogenizer removes the need for additive surfactants such as lecithin. This can cut down on long-term costs as the money saved on additives will quickly pay back the few hundred dollars that the device cost.

tamination and makes it easier ker is then moved back to the to clean.

Homogenizer and emulsified again, as described above. The The process described be- beaker is again placed on the low (adapted from here CAT MCS78 Hotplate Stirrer and Scientific) infuses 25 grams of the solution heated to 80°C winterized and decarboxylated for ½ an hour. If any separacannabis resin into 500ml of tion occurs, homogenize again. kosher vegetable glycerin. You After this you’ll have a stable can use the suggested propor- VG-BHO Emulsion for about tions in the example or tweak 90 days. them to suit your needs; however the solution cannot exIf you are not vaping your ceed 30% by weight, cannabis E-Juice, but choose to eat it oil to vegetable glycerin or it instead, avoid the use of rubwill begin to separate. For the ber droppers as the rubber will experiment, 500ml of kosher cause the mixture to polarize vegetable glycerin was placed and separate. This is only one A magnetic hotplate stirrer in a one litre beaker and heated simplified process for making can be used to very carefully to 80°C on the CAT MCS78 a cannabis-infused E-Juice, an art which is quickly catching fire. Find all the equipment mentioned in the article at www.catscientific.com.

I will be performing some experiments with the homogenizer and other equipment to help the growing number of craft cannabis producers to improve their products as they compete to supply the emerging legal cannabis industry. (this article previously appeard at LiftCannabis.ca)

The Homogenizer Set-up

heat, melt and mix samples.

The Homogenizer, that looks like a cross between a drill and a hand blender, provides the necessary torque needed to merge the glycerin and melted resin. A CAT X1000D Homogenizer drive with a G-20 (N) Normal Generator Shaft spins at up to 33000 RPM. The Generator Shaft is lowered into the centre of the liquid where the internal blade pulls the material through spinning shears, splicing it into micron sized droplets. The homogenizer attaches to a tabletop stand and is quick to assemble.

It is not very loud even at it’s highest speed.

Magnetic Hotplate Stirrer. 25 grams of BHO absolute was heated in a separate vessel.

When the vegetable glycerin reaches 80°C, the beaker is moved over to the X1000D Homogenizer. The Homogenizer is clamped on its drive stand so that the Generator Shaft can be immersed in the vegetable glycerin about 1/16th of an inch from the bottom of the beaker. The device is powered on at the lowest setting, 4,000 rpm’s, and increased to 8,000. The BHO is then poured into the vegetable glycerin and the vessel is moved around the shaft for about 45 seconds to one minThe manual contains numer- ute. The device is then powous cautions that the device ered off. only be turned on when submerged in a liquid to avoid The beaker is removed from the risk of fire or damage to the Homogenizer and placed the device. It is a precision in- back on the Hotplate Stirstrument that makes using an rer. The VG-BHO emulsion ordinary kitchen blender look is heated to 80°C for ½ an like a beating fork. The shaft hour. During that time, whatis sealed to prevent materials ever BHO separates within from entering the shaft tube. the solution will appear in the This helps avoid cross con- centre of the beaker. The bea-

Issue Number 49

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What Legalization Should Look Like

35

Examining Key Facets of a Success Cannabis Regulation Allow for large and small producers to supply the market, similar to how corporate beermakers like Molsen’s or Labatt’s exist alongside local microbreweries.

A medical access program must be retained so workers who use cannabis are protected in their workplaces and other situations are remedied where patients use cannabis as part of their health regime where it may otherwise be prohibited. The plant count

Debra Harper

Every cannabis consumer has been waiting their whole lifetime for this moment, and they will not change the way they do business overnight to accommodate government boogey man fears.

he Liberal government T announced plans to table the legislation that would le-

galize cannabis in Canada in the Spring of 2017.

Cannabis has been illegal throughout our lifetimes, so it is woven into the societal fabric in a “wild west” sort of way and much of that can not be undone – especially within the near future. The black market is very well established, consumers are used to certain prices and quality and many will continue to use the black market if the regulated market falls short in any expectations.

In order to get legalization/ regulation right, the government needs to ensure some basic steps are taken from the start if they truly wish for the black market to disappear. Each province will be responsible for some part in regulation as they are with alcohol and tobacco, so there will be variance of regulation from province to province.

The basic steps needed by the federal government and provinces are presented and details can be fleshed out with time.

Other issues will also need to be addressed such as impaired driving limits. The government needs to get this right so we can smoothly transition from a prohibitionist country to a regulated society. Legislators also have to be mature enough to admit if things don’t work out as planned, to step back, re-examine and change the legislation to improve the law.

Any strain grown for commercial purposes and general distribution should maintain the same type of regulation that growing fruit and vegetables fall under in terms of growing practices as well as GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and other relevant components of the Natural Health Products Regulations. It should be tested for mould and impurities, also the plant profile with breakdown of THC, CBD and other psycho and non-psychoactive properties. It could also include whether it is irradiated, organic, or altered in any way.

Knowing if it was grown in hydro, soil or outdoor would be a bonus.

It is ill-advised to sell cannabis in liquor stores for reasons that will appear in a blog post. Allow independent and franchise distributors to operate and distribute cannabis as a one purpose entity. Medical cannabis could be accessed via dispenRemove cannabis from Sched- saries or pharmacies or mailed ule II of the Controlled from Licensed Producers.

Drugs and Substances Act. Keep the age limit the same as Allow for personal growing alcohol and tobacco or 16 as Tax it at a federal/provincial recommended by the Senate rate low enough without being Committee in 2002. more expensive than the black market.

needed for medicinal patients growing their own medicine may also be much higher than the allowed limit in the recreational program.

Expunge records of those charged with cannabis related offences.

They will change if the new way of doing things is more beneficial to their health and well being or pocketbook..

(Article previously appeared at CanEvolve.ca)

Cannabis Digest â&#x20AC;˘ Winter 2017

Issue Number 51

www.CannabisDigest.ca

37

Playing "What If"

A Preface to Public Debates on Regulating Cannabis debates. So I thought I’d spend some time thinking about parameters for such events. Here goes.

establish a workable solution, or compromise. Ideally, in an exercise in public education, we get a bit of everything. What we’ve seen thus far in the way of

Judith Stamps ne day this month, the O Canadian Task Force on legalizing and regulating canna-

bis will announce its proposed program. Meanwhile, on May 9th 2017, BC residents will face a provincial election. At issue for cannabis fans in BC is the fate of the local cannabis industry, a multi-billion dollar economy representing growers, processors, dispensary owners, and associated staff, about 45,000 of them, according to a recent economic report. In anticipation of both events, the BC Independent Cannabis Alliance, headed by local activist, Ted Smith, will be planning a series of public

1.DEBATE/DISCUSSION/ DIALOGUE. Each of the preceding aims to inform, to educate, and to uncover the truth. Debates are competitive events. They have winners and losers. Discussions are similar, but less formal, and sometimes less competitive.

Both are inclined to get people thinking. Dialogue is different.

Its purpose is to approach a mutual understanding, and thus to

‘debates’ in this province, have actually been panels: the participants set out their views, the chair poses questions to specific panelists, and the audience members are invited to chime in with their concerns. The panels are informative, but these events fall short of debate, as their focus tends to drift, and people often talk past each other. That’s not always a bad thing. Indeed, where public education on cannabis is poor, as it is today, it may not be possible to stage a real, widely attended debate.

2. THE MATTER OF QUESTIONS. Still, focus is important. A focused discussion will centre on a major question posed by the chair, announced in advance of the event, so participants can prepare, and audiences can anticipate. Not all questions can be raised in all political times.

They must be graded according to the level of public enlightenment. It is useful to imagine debate topics set along a scale, running from crude to subtle, or, beginner to advanced. A very crude question would be: Should we jail cannabis users, or just ticket them? A more civilized beginner question would be: Should we legalize cannabis? But that kind of question brings out the prohibitionists.

Luckily, we seem to be past these. A very advanced question would be: Should we allow vertical integration in the cannabis market? Or, What market structures best ensure safety, quality, and diversity for cannabis? It is my guess that neither

the general audience in BC nor the politicians will be ready to address these questions, as they assume prior experience. An intermediate question, and one we could manage is: Should we favour a government monopoly on distribution (as we used to with liquor sales) or a free market? Or, liquor stores have been lobbying for exclusive rights to retailing, based on their claim that they represent the safest solution. Are they right?

3. THE PROCESS. Often lacking in the panels I’ve seen is rebuttal. One person, or side, makes a point, and no one makes sure that the opposition responds to it. That shouldn’t happen. In the ideal debate, each point is addressed.

This practice avoids dropping the ball on important subjects.

If one side states: recent studies show that monopolies don’t work for the following reasons, the other must address these reasons directly. If one side quotes the 2002 Senate Report on Cannabis, responders must address the quotation, and must not be allowed to change the subject. If the debaters are politicians, the poor moderator may find him/herself in proverbial cat-herding mode. Career politicians are used to pontificating, not debating. Even so, an effort must be made to remind people to talk to each other directly. If the effort fails, it will still help the audience.

party members who are well informed on the plant, the local industry, and in general, the war on drugs. As a result, points raised by one panelist may not find an informed response from others. The moderator will have to do much creative navigating.

Members of the audience might be called upon to fill in the gaps.

A second option is a panel of experts: public health specialists, cannabis historians, criminologists, lawyers, doctors, scientists, and so on. With experts one might have a better chance of finding people who can speak well, pro and con, on a given topic. Further options include MMAR growers or members of the Cannabis Growers of Canada, dispensary owners, journalists, and other prominent citizens like mayors, or city councilors. Ideal debate conditions will be lacking, as there are likely to be mismatches amongst participants’ levels of understanding. But any way it is planned, such an event is bound to inform and educate.

pers. If the upcoming debates address and quell these fears, even a little, they will be well worth the effort.

8. MEANWHILE, WE WAIT.

the feds have promised a detailed announcement by the 30th. If the past is any indication, they will deliver on time, if not early. Let us pray that reason will prevail.

It is now November 21st, and

5. THE INTENDED AUDIENCE.

Who needs an education on cannabis? The general voting public does; information from institutions like Health Canada, for example, is pathetic. Politicians do. They need to become better informed. We do. To target audiences better, we would benefit from demographic analysis. What is the age, gender or ethnicity of people friendly 4. THE PARTICIPANTS. to cannabis? Should we target specific groups or areas? Should Finding suitable participants we have debates for seniors? Or at this stage is a puzzle. Panel- women? ists must have enough authority, or perhaps fame, to attract 6. VENUES. an audience, and draw the media. For the upcoming debate Venues will influence who will series, a few options can be come. Places carry levels of auconsidered. One is a panel of thority too. The University of representatives, one from each Victoria is good. It will draw of BC’s major political parties. students and locals. On the Given the upcoming election, other hand, it is an hour away this is an important option. But from town by bus, hardly a welit’s an awkward one. First, it is come prospect on a dark, chilly unlikely that prospective MLAs evening. One must choose othwill want to expose themselves er places as well. Good choicin such a debate. But prominent es include high school gyms, members of the various parties church halls, libraries, commumight. This option would give nity centres, and live theatres on us something like an all candi- off nights. dates meeting, but on a specific topic. For that group, it may be 7. RESIDENT FEARS. best simply to ask each candidate where he/she stands on alWhatever events emerge from lowing the gray economy in BC this effort, they will be bent by to become licensed and legit. longstanding fears: cannabis But…maybe we won’t get much consumers are predators, who debate; what if they all agree? want to sell to kids; they are irIt’s not really a left or right responsible, and will cause trafwing issue, and maybe all parties fic accidents; they will develop want to see those billions stay health problems, and be a burin the province. I suppose one den on society. Such fears lie could screen candidates for va- behind the heavy-handed apriety in opinion. Second, it may proach seen thus far in Health be difficult to find prominent Canada, and too many newspa-

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS 1. Silence—You can refuse to talk to the police or answer their questions. You must give your name, birthdate, and address, or show them your ID. You DO NOT have to say anything else.

2. You can say NO if police ask to search any of your things.

3. You can leave unless you are being arrested or detained 4. You have the right to know why you are being detained, and to speak privately to a lawyer—even if you can’t pay.

5. You can only be strip-searched in private, and only by someone of the same sex.

6. You have the right to know the officers’ badge numbers.

7. You can report an officer who abuses me, swears at me, or violates your rights Example of what to say if you are being detained: “Officer, if I am under arrest or being detained, please tell me so...If I am free to go, please tell me so. If I am not free to go, please tell me why...I wish to exercise all my leagal rights, including my right to silence and my right to speak to a lawyer, before I say anything to you. I do not consent to be searched. I wish to be released without delay...Please do not ask me questions, because I will not willingly talk to you until I speak to a lawyer...Thank you for respecting my rights.” *Every situation is different. Use courtesy, and common sense.

Legal Aid BC: 1-866-577-2525

Check out Pivot Legal Society for more info < www.pivotlegal.org>

Cannabis Digest • Winter 2017

Break the Tolerance Break

1

The Problem: Cannabis Tolerance

Studies have shown that cannabis tolerance can start after only a few days of consecutive use. This results in a diminished response to the wonderful benefits of cannabis.

5

2

What to Expect:

Since everyone is an individual with their own unique physiology (e.g., depending on how they developed tolerance according to the contribution of each pathway just discussed), effects are very wide-ranging.

While a few have reported that using Enhanced Effect made it feel like they were using cannabis for the first time again, most report better euphoria. Many have also reported it can boost their high after they start coming down – extending their high.

Try it and see how it works with your unique physiology and preferred strain(s) of cannabis.

Ask your local headshop or dispensary for a free sample.

Two Ways Tolerance Develops: Primary mechanism = cellular level Cells make less cannabinoid receptors, and/or The strength of THC’s signal is reduced. These mechanisms are tightly controlled by the cells and require a tolerance break to “reset” the body’s response. If done properly, a tolerance break should last 2- 4 weeks.

4

The Solution: Enhanced Effect

Enhanced Effect can help boost the amount of THC entering the brain (improving absorption), and may help regular users go longer periods of time before needing a tolerance break. It’s Canada’s only physician-formulated blend of terpenes, manufactured in a GMP-certified, Health Canada approved facility.

3

Secondary mechanism = organ level Reduced absorption and/or increased elimination

This can be addressed by the use of other compounds

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41

HEMPOLOGY 101 WORD SEARCH

Check out Georgiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website to see some of her other comics, read her blog, and help her spread the good word by picking up a copy of her book of the Happy Hippie comics.

Cannabis Digest • Winter 2017

CANNABIS CLUBS ACROSS CANADA Cannabis dispensaries in Canada, due to a lack of regulation, all operate under unique and individual mandates. As such, the membership requirements of each dispensary differ. We recommend travelling with a copy of your original proof of condition (doctor’s note) which the VCBC staff will be happy to provide to its’ members. It is also recommended to research the dispensaries in the region you will be visiting and try to establish contact, if possible, before your visit. Please be discreet and polite when contacting another dispensary—you are representing the VCBC too!

Keep in mind: Some dispensaries have problems with supply and accessibility. The VCBC cannot guarantee that another dispensary will have supply or accept your card as proof of condition. Please help grow this network and support your local clubs by encouraging quality gardeners to direct their product to local dispensaries, or by growing yourself.

British Columbia VICTORIA CANNABIS BUYERS’ CLUB (VCBC) 826 Johnson St., Victoria Tel: 250-381-4220 Email: hempo101@gmail.com www.v-cbc.ca OCEAN GROWN MEDICINAL SOCIETY 1725 Cook St Unit 1, Victoria Tel: 778-265-1009 VANCOUVER ISLAND COMPASSION SOCIETY 853 Cormorant St., Victoria Tel:250-381-8427 Fax: 250-381-8423 GULF ISLAND ORGANICS LTD. Tel: (778)-265-5919 1040 Fort Street, Victoria, BC V8V 3K4 Email: info@gulfislandorganics.com Web: gulfislandorganics.com NORTH ISLAND COMPASSION CLUB Tel:250-871-5207 BC COMPASSION CLUB SOCIETY 2995 Commercial Drive, Vancouver Tel:604-875-0448 Fax: 604-875-6083 website: www.thecompassionclub.org GREEN CROSS SOCIETY OF B.C. 2127 Kingsway, Vancouver Tel: 778-785-0370 Fax:778-785-0477 www.greencrossofbc.org VANCOUVER MEDICINAL CANNABIS DISPENSARY 880 East Hastings St. Tel: 604-255-1844 Fax: 604-255-1845 West End location: 1182 Thurlow St. www.cannabisdispensary.ca YALETOWN MEDICAL DISPENSARY 1281 Howe St., Vancouver TEL: (604) 566-9051 FAX: (604) 558-2879 www.yaletownmedicaldispensary.com VAN CITY MEDICINAL SOCIETY 1299 Kingsway, Vancouver Tel: (604) 875-0002 Email: vcmsofficial@gmail.com BUDDHA BARN 2179 West 4th Avenue Vancouver, 604-739-9456, buddhabarn.ca THE HEALING TREE 529 East Hastings St., Vancouver Tel: 604-569-1091 www.hdcvan.ca

REDMED 231 Abbott St., Vancouver Tel: 604-559-9444 CANNA CLINIC 758 East Broadway, Vancouver Tel: 604-558-2454 PACIFIC CANNAMED SOCIETY 1259 Kingsway, Vancouver Tel: 604-558-3225 8546 Granville St., Tel: 604-563-3250 SUNRISE MEDICAL FOUNDATION 258 W Broadway 604-877-0211 www.mysunrise.ca THE GREEN RHINO 2570 Granville 1-888-661-5557 www.thegreenrhino.ca WESTCOAST MEDICANN 2931 Cambie St., Vancouver, BC. Tel: 604-558-2266 www.westcoastmedicann.com PAIN MANAGEMENT SOCIETY 2137 Commercial Drive. Vancouver Tel: 604-215-4551 Fax: 1-888-684-6906 www.painmanagementsociety.org EDEN MEDICINAL SOCIETY 161 E. PENDER, Vancouver Tel: 604-568-9337 637 E. HASTINGS, Vancouver Tel: 604-568-9337 www.myeden.ca NELSON COMPASSION CLUB #203-602 Josephine St. Nelsom, BC Tel: 250-354-4206 Email: nelsoncompassion@yahoo.ca T.A.G.G.S 11696 - 224th St., Maple Ridge, BC Tel: 604-477-0557 Fax: 604-477-0575 Email: taggs420@live.com KOOTENAY COMPASSION COLLECTIVE #500 - 901 Front St. Nelson BC V1l 4C1 Tel: 778-463-1991 kootenaycompassioncollective@gmail.com BE KIND OKANAGAN GROWERS AND COMPASSION CLUB. 288 Hwy. #33 West Rutland, BC (Kelowna) Tel: 778-753-5959 Fax: 778-753-5755 Vernon Location: www.okanagancompassionclub.com

GRASSROOTS BOTANICALS WELLNESS COOPERATIVE 4730 Willingdon ave, Powell River Tel: 604-485-6636 Fax: 604-485-2458 www.grassrootscannabisdispensary.com KOOTENAYS MEDICINE TREE #4 1948 68 Avenue, Grand Forks 250-442-8248 www.kootenaysmedicinetree.ca Nelson Location: #106 - 601 Front Street

Alberta M.A.C.R.O.S. 4121-118 Avenue NW, Edmonton, Alberta Tel: 780-457-6824 Website: www.macros.ca

Ontario CANNDO Phone: 416-901-7095 Fax; 416-901-7018 Email: Info@CannDo.ca C.A.L.M. Toronto, Ontario Tel: 416-367-3459 Fax: 416-367-4679 Website: www.cannabisclub.ca TORONTO COMPASSION CENTRE Tel: 416-668-6337 Fax: 416-461-7116 www.torontocompassioncentre.org RAINBOW MEDICAL CANNABIS CANADA Toronto, Ontario Tel: 416-927-8639 www.rainbowmedicinalcannabis.ca MEDICAL COMPASSION CLINIC 125 Church St. Toronto Ontario M5C 1S1 Tel: 647-291-0420 www.medicalcompassionclinic.com

Maritimes THCC—FARM ASSISTS Tel: (902) 495-0420 www.thefarmassists.com *To add your club to this list, please contact: hempo101@gmail.com

Issue Number 51

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WARNING

E BRITANNIQUE - CANADA DUTY PAI

The Surgeon General...

Said Nuthin’ About Smokin’ The Competition.

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