Marley Naturals P. 7
Smith Vs. Regina Center
CBD and Ebola P. 13
Issue Number 43
www.CannabisDigest.ca
Cannabis Digest • Winter 2015
ISSUE # 43 WINTER 2015
CREDITS Publisher
Ted Smith <hempo101@gmail.com>
CONTENTS
Editor-in-Chief
Judith Stamps <editor@hempology.ca>
Graphics Editor
Gayle Quin: Medicine Woman................P.03
Web Editor
Join the Fight for Extracts...................P.04
Distribution/Ads
Editors Note.............................................P.05
Owen Smith <rainbowensmyth@gmail.com> Dieter MacPherson <dietermacpherson@gmail.com>
Jim Mooney <cannabis.digest.advertising@gmail.com>
Contributors
Gayle Quin Owen Smith Ted Smith Judith Stamps Dr. David Allen (USA) Ras Kahleb (Jamaica) Adam Greenblat (Quebec) Dean Schwind Kyla Williams Dieter Macpherson Debbie Stultz-Giffin (MUMM) John Anderson (LEAP) Mark Lehtimaki Georgia Toons
Cover by Sean Newton For editorial questions, letters, or information on submitting: <editor@hempology.ca>
Publishers Note.......................................P.06 Marley Naturals........................................P.07 Gazing into the THC Crystal Ball............P.09 Exploring Cannabis Strains....................P.11 Could Cannabis Combat Ebola?............P.13 Smith Vs. Regina............................CENTER Is the Law “An Ass”................................P.17 The Voice..................................................P.18 Updates, Warnings & Suggestions.........P.22 The Attack of the Ad Man......................P.23 The Herb of Life......................................P.25 U.Cal Research Program........................P.27 Wordsearch / Comics..............................P.29
826 Johnson Street V8W 1N3 Phone: 250-381-4220 www.hempology.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 country’s laws, and/ or talk to their doctors, before engaging in any activities that could be deemed as illegal or dangerous to one’s health.
Issue Number 43
www.CannabisDigest.ca
Gayle Quin: Cannabis Medicine Woman
3
The Inspiration Behind the Supreme Court Challenge for Extracts
Owen Smith
I
owe my introduction to preparing cannabis medicines to one woman, Gayle Quin. Years before I began my work as a cannabis baker at the local dispensary, I met Gayle at a series of Hempology101 student club meetings at my college. Gayle is the life partner of Ted Smith, founder of the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club. Over the course of a decade, Gayle assisted the V-CBC in expanding their edible and topical cannabis product line. Most of the recipes that I have previously shared with readers originate with Gayle Quin. As I write this, I am visiting Gayle at her home where she is bedridden from bone cancer. She has access to the most up to date, in my opinion, forms of cannabis extract including high CBD varieties processed through a CO2 extractor into tiny capsules. Gayle has a long history of medical conditions for which the use of cannabis and other herbs have played an essential role. She was one of four women who testified
before the BC Supreme Court difficult to go out where somejudge in 2012. one’s deodorant or perfume would make it hard for her to At a young age she suffered breath. She then found herfrom dysmenorrhea, a little self confined more often to her understood condition at the home, and it was here that she time, that causes severe men- developed her knowledge of strual cramps. She used medi- herbs, kinestheology, acuprescal cannabis to treat this condi- sure, reflexology, and massage. tion successfully, and bore two healthy sons.
organically and locally where possible. She replaced the white flour with a healthier whole wheat blend. She taught me how to make Ghee, which involves clarifying butter of moisture and non-fat milk solids. She introduced Lecithin to the infused oils to aid the body’s use of the oil-soluble cannabinoids by emulsifying them into a form we can use.
Soon after she testified in the BC Supreme Court in 2012 Gayle defeated breast cancer. However the cancer returned and has spread to her bones. Recently her condition deteriorated, sending her to the hospital for about a week. She has since returned home and today she is dancing and smiling in her bed: the cheerful, loving woman who helped me to begin this journey to help people Gayle Quin visiting the Saskatchewan hemp fields access medicinal cannabis exShe was then diagnosed with By using a combination of tracts. hepatitis C, which destroyed alternative treatments, she was her appetite and made it dif- eventually able to return to a Please support the Supreme ficult to sleep. After several normal life and soon began to Court of Canada Fundraiser for surgeries were unsuccessful and protest the cannabis laws. Gay- patients like Gayle who greatly her doctors had exhausted their le Quin joined Ted Smith in a benefit from access to products options, she sought help from a campaign to fight prohibition, derived from cannabis extracts. local naturopath. She changed but they were destined to beher diet and began eating lots come much closer. When Gayle of cannabis; 11 years later the began working at the Victoria www.gofundme.com/rvsmith Hepatitis C had disappeared. Cannabis Buyers Club, not only did she improve the baking and Due to mercury poisoning, expand the product line but (previously appeared at Gayle suffers from an intoler- Gayle provided valuable health LiftCannabis.ca) ance to chemical products in- tips to members with whom she cluding many traditional medi- spent a lot of her time speaking. cations. After the Hepatitis C treatments she became so Gayle insisted that all of the chemically sensitive that she ingredients used in the club’s had to remove all of the plas- medicinal products be sourced tic from her home and found it
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>
4
Cannabis Digest • Winter 2015
Join the Fight for Cannabis Extracts Help Support the Supreme Court of Canada Battle
Owen Smith
S
ince I was arrested in 2009, I have led a constitutional challenge with Kirk Tousaw, Ted Smith and the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club for medical cannabis patients to use edible or topical products. We were successful in the BC Supreme Court, convincing a judge that the regulations are unconstitutional because they do not allow patients legally allowed to possess cannabis to make any derivatives from it. This decision allowed thousands of patients in BC to legally make and use extracts. In Aug 2014, we were supported by the BC Court of Appeal, in a 2-1 split decision. Now after the government appealed that too, on March 20th, 2015 we will be the first ever medical cannabis case to be presented to the Supreme Court of Canada.
with an unjustified crime. Any Donation is welcome to help shoulder the mighty burden of taking on a stubborn Harper
sociated costs of travelling to Ottawa to hammer home this Many Thanks from me, Owen constitutional argument. Any Smith, the Victoria Cannabis financial support above our Buyers Club, and all Canadian medical cannabis patients for your generous donation and/or for sharing this fundraiser with initial 15K goal will go toward your friends. legal costs such as our expert witness cannabis scientist Dr. David Pate and our legal team.
www.gofundme.com/RvSmith
government. The V-CBC has been paying the vast majority of the cost of the case (around 100K) so far and it is not fair that those patients bear the entire costs for a trial that benefits so many others.
I have since been acquitted of the charges, but the Canadian Government continue to fight patients’ access to all but “dried Marihuana”. Our hope is that when successful, extracted Cannabis products will be available to all Canadian patients who need them. It is time we move forward with cannabis as a medicine and include the simple extraction techniques required to isolate the medicinal compounds from the inert bulk of the plant.
The legal costs for such a Please support our efforts by campaign are one of the default helping us to pay for the aspunishments of being charged
Issue Number 43
www.CannabisDigest.ca
5
A Note From Gayle Quin
Gayle Quin
W
ell wonders never cease, I know that for sure. And wonders take you everywhere. I know that too. So on with the next wonder. I am writing this today to move on to another chapter in my life. It has been a different year with my health and my main focus must remain on healing myself. I absolutely cannot express my love and gratitude to everyone for all of the help and support.
You all have been helping save never before has a medical canour lives. Not kidding. nabis case made it to the Supreme Court of Canada people. Seriously, though, I can- Just think about it. We are livnot thank everyone enough for ing in historic times. Lets make all of the donations of money, it count for something. We are oils, extracts, hash, herb, food, going to need help and lots of love, TIME spent with us and it. I will not be able to travel for every single good thought to Ottawa with Ted and crew, and wish. Without my friends so I will need support at home I would right now be stuck in and he will need help in Ottawa. a lonely room of the long term Some help is on the way. We care ward in the hospital stuffed were very happy to be contacted so full of pharmaceuticals I by the Criminal Lawyers’ Aswould not know up from down. sociation of Ontario who want I know, I have been there be- to help by intervening. Yahoo! fore, and I pray not to go back. So plant love and light firmly in Thank you. Thank you. Thank your heart and lets get cannabis you. some freedom. I take this hiatus knowing the Cannabis DIgest is in great hands and growing steadily. I take great pride in knowing the time spent educating people with the paper is well received. I’ll be around to blog and make sure everyone stays focused on positivity and light. With all of the changes in the cannabis world, and the world in general, we need to think with positive intent. Just think-
ceptive and supportive of my cannabis use. I eat all different types of hash, oils, and capsules. Thanks again for the donations. You know who you are. Ted covers my back in comfrey and cannabis oil, as well as coconut oil infused with hash, twice a day to relieve pain and fight cancer. I also use cannabis suppositories before going to bed each night.
The lack of cooperation between the hospital and the naturopathic community was appalling. My doctor in the hospital ordered an intravenous Vitamin C for me but the hospital would So what happened? I got up not let a nurse give it to me beto go to the bathroom, took two cause it was not mixed in a regsteps and felt something crunch ular pharmacy. in my back. Two vertebrate have compression fractures from canOur health care system needs cer. I am 1 ½ inches shorter, just a lot of work. like that. Ted phoned an ambulance for me and the attendants I will keep dreaming of living were amazing. When they re- in a world full of compassion alized my state and understood and love where everyone shares my chemical sensitivities they and cares for each other. All we got Ted to smoke me some hash have is each other- nothing else before loading me into the truck. matters at all. The hospital had good care the first week. The nurses were re-
EDITORS ANTIDOTE: to the Post Holiday Blues marijuana for all elective con- Marijuana across the political sumers. spectrum, and among more Canadian voters than ever be. If this plant is legalized in fore. Much of the debate will Canada it will bring much be shallow or off the point. good. It will help to pay for Some will be better. But lots of stuff. It could trig- this level of exposure for The ger an explosion of creative Plant in a federal political energy. It could bring an end campaign—six weeks, maybe to chronic suffering for many longer—will be sufficient to ailing Canadians. reframe how Canadians see Cannabis. . But…there will be no peace or justice unless all . If you plan to vote, and Canadians are permitted to you are doing so mainly to grow a few plants for them- help legalize marijuana, bear selves. So this is as good a in mind that Canadian federal time as any to think how best parties vote as blocks and not to get this message out to can- as collections of individuals. didates, the public or anyone A pro-Cannabis NDP candielse. date in the upcoming election, for example, will vote against . There will be aspects of legalization, as the party does legalization that Cannabis not support it. Focus first on fans will not like. If I were an party affiliation. illegal, ethical grower, for example, I would worry that le. On the other hand do your galization could bring an end strategic mathematical best to ethical growing—how do to avoid allowing Conservayou grow this plant well if you tive candidates a chance to don’t love it? win. Check out the people who are running in your rid. Then again, consider- ing. Get a sense of their relaing how matters have de- tive power. veloped south of the border, I might guess that legalizing would have little effect on ilHE KEY PARTIES legal growing, pushing it perhaps toward production for elite buyers. There are oodles reen: Elizabeth May is of Cannabis gourmets out unique. We need Greens there. Then what? in Parliament, so we should keep her. She will not be able . During this campaign we to form a government, but will hear public debate on she’s pro-legalization.
3 Judith Stamps
Totally My Opinion: Conundrums to Consider for 2015. . This may well be the last 1before issue of Cannabis Digest the next Canadian fed-
eral election…if, that is, there is to be a spring election. Evidence for an early election: Conservative Senator Mike Duffy’s trial begins in April. As he stands accused of grandiose overspending, this trial is bound to be embarrassing. So…best to have the election before that. Also, as evidenced by the recent avalanche of Conservative anti-marijuana ads, Harper is exhibiting preelection behavior. Finally, activists in Ottawa have been telling us: early election.
2
. This will be the first election in which a political party that stands a chance of forming a government is running on a platform for legalizing, regulating and taxing
4 5 6
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onservatives: Steven C Harper has designed a brain-shaped bong image to
scare Canadian parents. He’s saturating the networks with it. This image demonstrates how legalizing Cannabis will result in smoked brains in children and teens. ew Democrats: Thomas N Mulcair holds the view that Cannabis today is forty
times stronger than Cannabis in the 1960s, and is therefore dangerous. Watch for his creatively unfocused promises to adjust the Cannabis laws in Canada. His phrases will sound progressive whilst offering us nothing.
iberal Party of Canada: L Justin Trudeau’s group is untried. Could be a big disap-
pointment. They are, after all, politicians. The plan to legalize marijuana was designed and promoted by the Young Liberals, and adopted by the party. Trudeau endorsed the idea, and continues to support it. I’m not sure what to think, but I have decided to give him a chance. politics makes ITofyouelectoral gag you are not alone. everyone…Happy New Year.
Editor@Hempology.ca
6
Cannabis Digest â&#x20AC;˘ Winter 2015
PUBLISHERS NOTE: 2014 a Year to Remember
Ted Smith
ast year was the best year L for cannabis activism that I have witnessed in my almost 2 decades in the field. Indeed, the future has never looked brighter for cannabis, both in Canada and abroad. As we work together to make 2015 even better, lets take a minute to reflect upon the advancements we have made, as they will set-up some of the big moves forward we expect in the future.
One of the most important developments of the last year was the successful injunction filed by lawyer John Conroy on behalf of many patients fighting to retain the gardens they could legally grow under the old Marijuana Medical Access Regulations. This is a critical battle, for if patients cannot keep their gardens they will certainly suffer, and generations into the future may be forced to buy their medicine from largescale licensed producers. A full hearing will be held in Federal Court in Vancouver in March. As of April 1, 2014, the new Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations came into effect, granting potentially hundreds of applicants licences to sell cannabis to patients. Coming into 2014, Health Canada indicated they were preparing to open the medical cannabis market, predicting that by 2020 annual national sales could reach $1.4
billion. However, soon after the national media started reporting these changes in March the door slammed virtually shut at Health Canada, with less than 2 dozen companies getting licenses before the government got cold feet. There were over 1.000 applications to become an LP, the most serious applicant spending at least $1,000,000. That is approximately $1 billion invested in medical cannabis in Canada in just over a year. Much of that money appears to have been wasted, leaving many entrepreneurs and investors furious. In another critical court case, our very own Owen Smith won a split decision from the BC Court of Appeal. Almost immediately the crown appealed, taking the case to the Supreme Court of Canada on March 20, 2015, the first medical cannabis case to reach the highest court in the land. The feature article in the newspaper and Owenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s article cover the details. We are confident lawyer Kirk Tousaw will continue to convince the nine judges to force Health Canada to allow the sale and use of cannabis extracts. One of the biggest international cannabis stories was certainly the release of the notorious Marc Emery from the US, where he had spent over 4 years for selling seeds through the mail. Looking younger than when he entered jail, Marc has travelled, with his glorious wife Jodie, to Europe three times this fall, as he has become a hero to many around the globe. Everyone is keen to see what direction his career takes now that he is free and legalization seems around the corner. Speaking of legalization and Jodie Emery, in Canada we have seen the first national political party endorse legalization, though the details are sketchy at this point. Last year Justin Trudeau, leader of the Liberals, told a high school crowd that he supported legalization after he was asked a question by a
student. This became national news and slowly the party is accepting this as part of their political strategy, even though it is unsure exactly what they mean by tax and regulate. However, in an attempt to force this issue, the executive of the Liberals in the downtown eastside of Vancouver contacted Jodie to run for the party. With Libby Davies recently stepping down and support for the NDP drifting, there is a very good chance she will become the next MP for that riding.
possible, so the fact they did not give me credit or pay me does not bug me too much.
With so much positive news it is hard to imagine prohibition standing much longer. However, the battle is far from over. Steve Harper and the Conservatives are very dangerous and have a very good chance of retaining power in Ottawa after the election this year. Hopefully multiple factions across the country will band together to remove them from office. Courts are also very fickle, and a bad deciSouth of the border unprece- sion or two could seriously set dented changes were happening, the movement back. too. Legal cannabis sales began in January in Colorado, followIf you are reading this woning by Washington State a few dering if now is the time to get months later, spawning a fury more serious about the cannabis of news reports about the tax- industry, then stop wondering es that those states are making. right now. There has never been By the end of the year, Alaska a more exciting, more adventurand Oregon also voted to legal- ous, more prosperous time to get ize cannabis, setting the stage involved in the cannabis movefor future votes in other states. ment. With so much happenMeanwhile, many signals from ing, there are careers opening up the US federal government in- in areas we never even dreamed dicate a shift in policy, in partic- of before. Join us in the next ular towards states with medical year as we make magic happen. cannabis or recreational laws in place. Polls show an increasing desire across the entire country to regulate and tax. Of course, the biggest news of the year was my cameo appearance in the blockbuster film, Kid Cannabis. Ok, it might not have been big news for you, but it was huge to me. Being able to play myself in my club selling herb in a Hollywood movie was something I never even dreamed
Issue Number 43
www.CannabisDigest.ca
7
Marley Naturals
Rasta Merchandising vs. Intellectual Property Rights
Ras Kahleb
M
arley Natural is the world’s first global Cannabis brand featuring a line of products ranging from skin creams and oils to vaporizers and Jamaican grown strains of herb. But the negotiation between the Bob Marley estate and Seattle based Privateer Holdings equity firm has raised the eye brows of the global Rastafari and grass roots communities alike. One concern the Rastafari Community is having with this new business development is that it does not want its dreadlocked and bearded (lion) image or its Intellectual Property (IP) ending up in the hands of capitalist predators. Such predators may include private investors who previously have had negative perceptions of Bob Marley and the Rastafari Culture he spent half of his life and musical career practicing and representing. According to Brendan Kennedy, CEO of Privateer Holdings “We’ve learned a lot over the past year about Bob’s views towards Cannabis and how he viewed the herb differently”(http://www.bobmarley.com/company-news/marleynatural/). The question some are now positing is how come Privateer Holdings are just now learning of Bob Marley’s “different view” towards Cannabis? Another critical question is that prior to exploiting his name and Rastafari image, what was Privateer’s previous view of Bob Marley and his supposed “different view” of herb?
ing with the Rastafari Commu- efit sharing can also assist the In short, leaders of the Rasta- nity? (Prophet Greg 2014). Rastafari Millennium Council fari Community are contesting (RMC) and the global Rastafari that Privateer Holdings along Relating to Bob Marley’s pio- Trust Fund (RTF) in their enwith other investors (Marlboro neering role in global activism deavor to operationalize the conand others) are merchandising its for ganja legalization, in a recent cept of a Rastafari Social DevelRastafari image, which is a part of statement made by Cedella Mar- opment Program (RSDP). This its Intellectual Property (IP). In ley published by The Gleaner she sustainable development program a critical way, these leaders of the confirmed that “Our father was is aimed at fulfilling the African Rastafari Community are making leading this conversation for 50 Creed which promises that: the it quite clear to everyone that Bob years, so it’s natural that he’s part hungry be fed, the naked clothed, Marley’s powerful indigenous im- of this conversation today” (The the sick nourished, the aged proage is that of a Rasta Man. Mem- Gleaner 2014). But presently in tected and the infants (including bers of the Rastafari Community Jamaica and elsewhere around the Rastafari youth) be cared for. This also feel that their community world, the Rastafari Community can assure a solid foundation for representatives should have been along with its sympathizers is de- the unity of the Rastafari nation a part of that dialogue and con- claring that Bob Marley’s global and lead to the socio-economic tractual agreement between the message pertaining to ganja legal- development of the Rastafari Marley estate and Privateer for ization was simply the message of Heritage Sites/Villages at Pinnathe purpose of benefit sharing. the Rastafari Community. It is cle, St. Catherine and Scotts Pass, Clarendon.
According to Prophet Greg who is the General Secretary of the Rastafari Millennium Council (RMC) and a leading spokesperson on Rastafari IP “the Rastafari Community has been totally excluded from the business negotiations and benefit sharing between the Bob Marley estate and Privateer Holdings…in terms of symbolism, trading will take place on the Intellectual Property of Rastafari, this means that the Rastafari culture will be embedded in the marketing of marijuana by Marlboro and others…the underlying question is: What are the implications of the benefit shar-
evident that Bob was adherent to the Rastafari faith up to the very moment of his untimely death! So the Rastafari Community seems to be reminding the world that Robert Nesta Marley was its divine messenger and that it was the community’s patriarchs, who were philosophers and musical experts such as Mortimo Planno (Bredda Kumi) and Seiko Wailer, who also gave Bob inspiration to do the spiritual work he did through Reggae music. At the forefront of his global message to the people was the Divinity of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia and Ganja Legalization. His offspring have faithfully continued to do this work and spread message that through Reggae music today.
Unfortunately for Rasta, and despite a call for a stop order of the illegal land development at Pinnacle, developers are hastening to complete their second phase of development leaving only 180 out of 476 acres of land untouched until their third and final phase of development which begins early next year in 2016. Only with the legal preservation of its Heritage land can the Rastafari Community seek to develop Pinnacle and to grow ganja again on a land renowned for its production of tons of Jamaican grown ganja for exportation and other reasons and purposes. It was well developed during the 1940’s and 50’s. Also unfortunate for Rasta, is that in June 2015 the Rita Marley Foundation (RMF) ordered the eviction of 22 stalwart members of the Rastafari Community from their traditional Heritage land at Scotts Pass. The Scotts Pass evictees included the oldest active matriarch and patriarch within the global Rastafari Community. These are Ma Ashanti and Bongo Roy of the Ancient Nyahbinghi Council of Elders. This 25-acre property was supposedly bought by Rita Marley in 1979 on the behalf of her husband Bob Marley and for the Rastafari Community. Presently, the Rita Marley Foundation is claiming the whole property for itself. But the evictees who are still Occupying Scotts Pass today are beginning to examine the correlation between the newly Marley Natural brand of products (supposedly) to be infused with Jamaican grown ganja and their recent eviction. So the scientific question here is “has the Rita Marley Foundation decided to evict the Rastafari Community from the land at Scotts Pass in order to help grow this new Marley Natural strain of ganja on that land?
Clearly then, in reclaiming Bob Marley’s indigenous cultural image as their own IP, the Rastafari Community is suggesting its inclusion in the benefit sharing of that deal between the Marley estate and Privateer Holdings equity firm. Such benefit sharing with the Rastafari Community can immediately have trickle down effects. Since the Rastafari Community is aging, a special fund can be set up for the purpose establishing adequate housing, health care and technological systems for Rastafari elders and their families throughout the With two evictions from its HerCaribbean. Crucially, such ben- itage lands at Pinnacle and Scotts
Pass in the space of seven months (from Nov. 2013 to June 2014) the Rastafari Community is enduring some heavy blows that may negatively affect their future plans of growing indigenous ganja strains on its Heritage lands. Also, with the recent denial of funding approximating to ($97,000.00) from UNESCO’s International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD) to assist the Rastafari Community in professionally defending its IP through the establishment of a Rastafari Intellectual Property Office and Authority (RIPO and RIPA), the community is having difficulty protecting its Heritage and IP, which are being exploited by capitalists today. With regards to protecting the Rastafari cultural heritage, Prophet Greg has offered a few ways forward. According to Prophet Greg, the Jamaican Government must first be sensitized through its Ministry of Justice so that proper legislation can be passed to protect Rastafari IP. He also noted the importance of the coordination between the ministries of Justice and Industry, Investment & Commerce in order to protect the community’s branding and trading rights as an indigenous cultural group in Jamaica. It is an important and righteous endeavor to protect the Rastafari Community from future breaches and misappropriations of the culture, especially by the Chinese. Prophet Greg has proclaimed that a meeting between the Rastafari
Millennium Council and Minister of Industry, Investment & Commerce Hon. Anthony Hylton has been scheduled to explore the activation of the global Rastafari Intellectual Property Authority.
Cannabis Digest • Winter 2015
In the meanwhile the Rastafari Community should remain steadfast in reclaiming Bob Marley’s image, message and Reggae genre of music as their own IP. The Rasta Community must reclaim Bob Marley’s divine personhood, especially since Bob has already been accepted by the world and Rasta as a divine prophet of the Movement. In terms of infringement upon its cultural heritage and identity, the Jamaican Government must act in a form and fashion that is perfectly representational of the Rastafari Community. It should aggressively protect its IP in accord with the recent WIPO and JIPO agreement concerning Jamaica’s two indigenous cultural groups, the Maroons and Rastafari! Selah
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Issue Number 43
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Gazing into the THC Crystal Ball
9
Reflections On Mark Haden’s Post Prohibition View conference I attended his lecture ing. The shop would have bins Judith Stamps in order better to understand what he had in mind. In today’s blog I would like to summarize his meshe recently held First sage, and then consider its suitAnnual Conference ability to the issue of marijuana of Sensible BC featured a great today. menu of panel discussions and small study sessions. One of the According to Haden, it is estruly enjoyable subjects on the sential that marijuana activists menu was how best to imagine and policy reformers learn leslife in post prohibition Canada. sons from the history of alcohol In this context, Marc Emery re- and tobacco. If we don’t we will iterated his view that we should simply be reproducing a system legalize the plant and impose no that damages personal and public regulations. Kirk Tousaw, our health. Those lessons, in Haden’s lawyer in residence, reminded us view, centre on product advertisthat we should expect regulations ing and in particular, branding. along the lines of those in place In a corporate society companies for tobacco and alcohol. Dana brand products the better to adLarsen expressed the hope that vertise them, and then work the cannabis growing and process- ads to drive up consumption, the ing would come to resemble wine better, in turn, to drive up profits. production, with its tradition of In the tobacco and alcohol indussommeliers, well-toured winer- tries, this process is already in full ies and home brewing. A more force. With marijuana we have a unusual set of ideas came from chance at prevention. Mark Haden, long time anti-prohibitionist and Adjunct Professor To this end, Haden suggests of the UBC School of Population that future marijuana shops be and Public Health. I should say designed as ‘neo-apothecaries.’ that I had already encountered He didn’t elaborate—I suspect we Haden’s view in a recent publi- kept him too busy with our quescation in which he argued that tions. So let me suggest what he future marijuana stores should might have had in mind. Haden’s be intentionally boring places, apothecary would be out of the located above street level. I was way, maybe even above ground startled by these words, and at the level on an upper floor of a buildof bud and other assorted goodies with no brand names, and no fancy packaging. There would be little signage other than the minimum required to indicate cannabis strains, edibles and other things on offer. Vapourizers, hash makers and suchlike are already branded, but he’d probably let that pass. General laws would prohibit branding cannabis or its derivatives. The resulting shop would look like a pleasant cross between the Victoria Cannabis Buyer’s Club medical marijuana dispensary and my favourite coffee bean store. The VCBC’s sign reads: Under Renovations (sic); and the coffee store’s, Yoka’s Coffee.
no living memory of marijuana in
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How should we view this model? Some of its elements are trendy: think tea stores or an altered Bulk Barn. Some shopkeepers might like it. But it is problematic, in my view, to require or even urge all shops to resemble this one. The mandatory apothecary model grows out of Haden’s comparison of marijuana to tobacco and alcohol. I do not agree that this comparison illuminates a great deal about marijuana and its future. Here is how I see it. Alcohol was prohibited for less than a generation; tobacco not at all. Its image never got ugly. Marijuana bears a stigma that goes back at least a couple of hundred years. In Mexico, the Middle East, in India and elsewhere, not to speak of North America, the plant has been associated with members of ‘degenerate’ races or classes, and later, with groups looked upon as wrong– headed and unpatriotic. We have
a free setting, and no historical examples, so the stigma is deeply, culturally embedded. That this is so can be seen from the examples of Colorado and Washington State where, after legalization, over half the local jurisdictions banned shops. Sizeable chunks of their respective populations have a visceral hatred for marijuana. As many of us learned through the Sensible BC campaign, large swaths of BC residents feel much the same. So do portions of other provinces. For pot fans, it’s a struggle just to feel normal. So suppose we try to mandate the apothecary model described earlier. Marijuana vendors alone will be relegated to marginal, nearly unmarked locations. They won’t be making a choice. Moreover, while they and their stores will be rendered invisible, the restrictions placed on them will be widely publicized. They will look collectively guilty, as they always have. They’ll remain stigmatized. They’ll have a harder time than ever finding friendly landlords and businesses willing to have them as neighbours. They may be forever unwelcome in downtown business associations. We can’t have that. Then there is fact that marijuana fans are a zany and irrepressible lot with a scary and painful past. If post prohibition we set out to suppress their energy, we’ll only be poking them with a sharp stick. If we do that we’ll have them screaming, and do little good otherwise. It will be hard enough for them accept incremental change.
Cannabis Digest • Winter 2015
10
It will be way too lead us to buy what we don’t need much to accept being and can ill afford. Haden notes beige that prohibition wrecks the natural controls that keep consumpIn designing something for the tion in check. I think he would future, it is important to begin by agree that branding does someseeing that over the past eighty thing similar for the individual. plus years, marijuana prohibition The louder the words and images, has engendered a large commu- the dimmer the inner voice that nity, something that never oc- tells us when we’ve bought or concurred around alcohol. There are sumed enough. recreational growers, hemp growers, medicinal growers, procesBut let’s look now at the real sitsors, vendors, musicians, artists, uation facing us. Wherever mariamateur chemists and medicine juana is presently legal, almost all makers, publishers and writers of advertising of any kind is forbidblogs, maintainers of dedicated den anyway. Colorado’s marijuawebsites, online archives and li- na businesses are fighting the ad braries, adjunct lawyers, front line restrictions. Others will follow. warriors, and producers of street theatre. Together they have created an impressive string of court cases and legal decisions. The literature by and about them would fill a small bookshop. Although this world is not homogenous, there is a shared sense of identity. But this identity has never been integrated in a constructive manner with its wider social surroundings. Recent history has shown us that legalization stops the arrests, and establishes the beginnings of a framework. But that’s all it does. It’s only after legalization that the real work— forging a new relationship with society—begins. In this process there will be a place for well-designed ads. They need acceptance, and they Brand-visualizing won’t get it skulking off to remote corners. Alcohol consumers could Let’s look more closely now use less aggressive glitter. Right at advertising and its evil twin, now, pot fans could use more. branding. Advertising emerged Further, it took two post prohibihistorically when comestibles tion generations for alcohol ads to and other products left the home become obnoxious. Given the opand home workshop, and entered position to marijuana, it may take general stores. At that point many generations before we’ll see the stores required signage and, many ads or the problems that atas they grew larger, catalogues. tend them. Still, as there is merit Those are forms of advertis- in the view that branding is bad, ing, although fairly benign ones. we should consider how much to But when flourmills emerged to worry about fending it off. compete with one another, they touted their own brands, leading Because it is widely recognized us down a path that has been less as a medicine, marijuana is unlike than healthful. Where products alcohol or tobacco. For medicinal are alike, as they often are, buying users, branding is currently irrelebrands amounts to buying words vant. Their overwhelming need is and images. Words and images for particular strains bearing natcan be designed to prey on our ural names, and for repeatability. insecurities, and insecurities can For this reason, Canada’s licensed
j
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producers have chosen to stick with the familiar. So have the unlicensed ones. No one is making proprietary blends and, aside from the odd bit of Facebook hysteria, there has been no talk of creating new, patentable strains. In any case, at this stage repeatability is very limited. It’s nearly impossible to produce any two Purple Kush plants with identical cannabinoid profiles, even when they are grown under similar conditions. It’s not clear to me that these plants will be candidates for branding any time soon.
well as every other kind of prohibition. But we can take a different lesson from history. Ads emerged historically when products for personal use became products made to sell in stores. One thing we can do, for which there is already precedent, is to encourage home growing. We can foster a culture of home gardens much as we do today with fruit and vegetable gardening. We can encourage magazines, garden shops and educational seminars. We can encourage small growers and farmers’ markets. We already do that for other crops. This practice One of marijuana’s special fea- may not supply all or even most of tures is its ability to induce mind our food, but it does alter people’s notions of what is desirable, and what is ‘cool.’ It even alters what we find in the large markets. To the sizeable anti-pot brigade this idea will be a hard sell. In Canada, the RCMP has worked hard to convince whole neighbourhoods that pot plants cause house fires, and canna-butter, meth lab style explosions. For governments keen on their tax money, encouraging gardens will require a compromise. But it’s probably doable, it will make the plants universally affordable, and we’ll have the pot fans and their friends on side.
states that range from sleepiness to wide-eyed wonder. It can also reduce pain and inflammation. Since many recreational users will know patients, and most will at least know of the plant’s medicinal values, they too will be interested in specific and recognizable strains. Who doesn’t need a sleeping potion from time to time, or a chance for a fresh perspective? For these reasons marijuana will resist branding in a way that alcohol never could. What’s odd about branded goods is their similarity. Vodka is mostly just vodka. Marijuana varies. Still, we will eventually be facing danger from investors. They’ll know nothing about Purple Kush, and they’ll want to brand. So what can we do? We cannot prohibit branding. That’ll work as
Another important strategy will be to make sure that current, talented but illegal growers have a way to buy into any future legal system. Rules that eliminate good growers because they have criminal growing records are not sane. Health Canada’s rules that require a ten million dollar business plan in order to meet government standards are not sane either. For four generations, the best growers have done what they do for normative reasons. No one in the current movement is keen on branding if only because it drives amalgamation. Besides that, it’s crass. If as a public health expert Mark Haden has a chance to bend the ear of a new legalizing government, he might encourage them to let this generation of growers and processors lead the way. They’ll resist branding, and they may even influence future generations to do the same.
Issue Number 43
www.CannabisDigest.ca
Exploring Cannabis Strains Where Slang Meets Science Adam Greenblat
A
s medical marijuana hits the mainstream, and sales representatives from Licensed Producers make their way into physician’s offices and medical forums to pitch their wares, an important conversation about cannabis strain names (image: modernman.com) and marketing is taking place within the medical community. tral, pharmaceutical style brand- cept Whistler MMC - makes ing for their cannabis strains. effect claims in their own way, These companies place a heavy and sees potency variation beAt this year’s Family Medicine focus on the standardization and tween production lots. TilForum, physicians on both sides homogeneity of their products; ray is the only LP to put effect of the medical cannabis debate they are the only Licensed Pro- claims directly on their packagexpressed serious reservations ducers for which there is no sig- ing, drawing on anecdotal reports about how cannabis strains are nificant variation in potency be- from their sister company Leafly. named and marketed, including: tween production lots. Some of Organigram makes broad efthese strains include Cannimed fect claims by categorizing their 9-9, CanniMed 17-1, Bedrolite, strains using medical condition * Names and effect descriptions Bediol. Bedrocan does not make acronyms, but seemingly in the that emphasize euphoric proper- effect claims, while CanniMed absence of anecdotal reports. ties (Purple Haze) does provide anecdotal claims. Mettrum does away with strain * Exaggerative qualifiers (Super, names entirely, and uses their INDICA, SATIVA, HYBRID, Ultra, Power) * Anecdotal health claims on packaging with no supporting clinical evidence * References to other substances (LSD, Green Crack,) * Advertising flavours and aromas (Mango, Lemon Kush) These concerns are not unfamiliar; when regulators began clamping down on the tobacco industry, advertising and marketing practices were the first to be culled. Pharmaceutical companies are also bound by strict marketing guidelines and ethical codes of conduct. While medical cannabis is neither tobacco, nor pharmaceutical, there are important lessons to be learned from these industries as cannabis fights to re-gain legitimacy in medicine and society.
(image: medicaljane.com) trademarked Mettrum Spectrum, which classifies strains by potency using a colour system. The spectrum approach makes it easier to account for potency variations between their production lots. Mettrum does not make effect claims.
DIFFERENT STROKES FOR DIFFERENT TOKES
Tilray, Organigram, Canna Farms, Whistler MMC, and Delta-9 Biotech, use original strain names and have not renamed them. They make some reference to the pre-legal strain sources, and to their genetics. Some of these strains include Cannatonic, Diamond OG, Pink Kush, Afghani Bullrider, and White Widow.
At present, there are two main approaches to strain naming under the MMPR: pharmaceutical and colloquial. Within the colloquial category, there are Licensed Producers who use the original names, and others who have rebranded them using similar conventions. The approach to making effect claims also differs between producers, some avoiding them, others framing them anecdotally.
Tweed Inc., MedReleaf, and Peace Naturals, are examples of Licensed Producers who renamed the strains they acquired using similar, but arguably more modern conventions. Tweed’s strain names have a hipster feel to them (Clearwater, Herringbone, Buddy), while MedReleaf draws inspiration from medicine by using Latin and Hebrew names (Solveris, Erez, Avidekel).
Bedrocan and Cannimed use neu- Each of these companies – ex-
PLACEBO
“Indica,” “Sativa,” and “Hybrid,” are botanical terms which actually refer to plant morphology and genetics, and are used colloquially to characterize the spectrum of potential effects from cannabis. Some Licensed Producers have stuck with these categories, while others eschew them. Every cannabis dispensary and compassion club in Canada uses the Indica/Sativa system. Indicas are often described as “sedating” or “calming,” and they originate from hashish producing countries like India and Afghanistan. Sativas are often described as “energizing” and “functional,” and they originate from tropical regions like Thailand and parts of South America. Hybrids are often described as “the best of both worlds,” and as “dominant” in their Indica or Sativa effects.
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expectations for patients. An example of this is the pervasive myth that the “sedating” properties of Indicas are due to a high quantity of CBD (Cannabidiol), when in fact modern Indica varieties rarely contain significant quantities of this compound. FLAVOUR COUNTRY A major differentiating factor between cannabis strains of similar cannabinoid content lies in the aromatic compounds, which are known as terpenes. Some of these terpenes include: beta-caryophellene, myrcene, alimonene, pinene, ocimene, and others. It is believed that terpenes contribute to the unique pharmacology of each cannabis strain; some have even been shown to be partial agonists of endocannabinoid receptors, and have displayed interesting therapeutic potential of their own. Licensed Producers are required by Health Canada to label the THC and CBD content of their strains, however, they are not required to quantify terpene content. These organoleptic characteristics are reflected in strain names like Super Lemon Haze, Grape Escape, Sweet Skunk, Blueberry Hashplant. Physicians though, have expressed reservations about the use of these aromatic descriptors. Their point harks back to tobacco advertising, but ignores the pharmacology of whole-plant cannabis medicine. Quantitative analysis and labeling of the aromatic compounds would help inform patients and physicians of these distinctions, while helping to curtail candystyle marketing of medicine. CONTINUITY AND CONVERSION
All Licensed Producers (with the exclusion of CanniMed and Bedrocan) grow cannabis strains that were acquired from dispensary suppliers licensed under the old MMAR. For nearly two decades, millions of patients across North America have grown accustomed to the colloquial nomenclature. Caregivers, growers, and dispensaries, have long used slang names for their strains, and these terms predate regulation of Despite some compelling anec- any kind by several generations. dotal reports, strain-specific effect claims have not been well researched and can encourage a Continuity is very important for placebo effect. This complicates these patients, and it is even more objective investigation into the important for the producers and actual effects, and creates false regulators tasked with convinc-
Cannabis Digest • Winter 2015 ing them that MMPR-compliance is in their best interest. The MMPR in its current state is a very tough sell, largely because of its punitive and coercive implementation, and its arbitrary restriction to dried marijuana. This is particularly true for patients accustomed to growing their own supply, or buying a multitude of products from a dispensary.
will likely diminish, and the nomenclature will become more objective and quantitative. For the new waves of patients who have no prior experience with cannabis – and no investment in its politics – cannabis is simply a medicine that helps them improve quality of life, and manage symptoms of chronic illness, whether it’s named Cannatonic or CanniMed 15-5.
FROM SLANG TO SCIENCE And despite the philosophical rifts among physicians regarding cannabis in medicine, there is a Colloquial and botanical terms common ground when it comes have a place in medical marijua- to their calls for more research, na. Cannabis is, after all, an agri- and concerns about industry cultural commodity; just as there marketing practices. Licensed are Beefsteak and Cherry toma- Producers should make a genuine toes, so too are there Big Bud and and concerted effort to accomBlueberry varieties of cannabis. modate these concerns, by estabBut there should be sensible lim- lishing clear marketing guidelines its on these naming conventions; that balance reasonable access marketing practices that may with responsible promotion. appeal to youth or exaggerate health effects should be curtailed. Adam Greenblatt As we begin bridging gaps in the Montreal, QC evidence base for medical cannabis, the use of colloquialisms
Adam Greenblatt is a self-taught advocate for safe access to medical cannabis and sensible drug policy reform. He is currently the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Santé Cannabis, Montréal’s first cannabinoid clinic and medical cannabis resource centre.
Issue Number 43
www.CannabisDigest.ca
Could Cannabis Combat Ebola?
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Anti-viral claims spark controversy termed a Cytokine Storm.
in any other class of drug. (1)
Causes small blood clots to form in all arterioles, called; DIC or Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation.
binoids may be a key in survival of HIV and may indeed translate into survival for Ebola patients. The direct Killing or Cidal effect of Cannabinoids is proven in HIV infections,(4) but not yet in Ebola. Inhibition of VEGF is crucial to prevent endothelial leakage and hemorrhage.
Cannabinoids are proving to have significant cidal (killer) activity to many viruses, including hepatitis C and the HIV virus. Cannabinoids down-regu Causes a massive Coagu- late (inhibit) the immune response lopathy where the blood will not to the infection (2) (3). The cited to clot properly simultaneously U.S. Patents (3 and 4) are proof with the DIC (Bleeding and that cannabinoids inhibit many Because cannabis is so Dr. David Allen very safe especially under doctor supervision, I believe it is crucial for the medical community to here is good scientific start human trials on survivability evidence that cannaof Ebola infected patients regardbinoids, and in particular Cannaless of the political restraints. bidiol (CBD), may offer control of the immune system and in turn provide protection from viral inDavid B. Allen M.D. fections (4). Cannabis has already retired Cardiothoracic and Vascubeen recognized to inhibit fungus lar Surgeon; and bacteria and can be considMedical Director, ered a new class of antimicrobial Cannabis Sativa, Inc. because of the different mecha(Cali215doc@gmail.com) nism of action from other antimicrobials. (1)
T
Ebola is a complex RNA viral organism that causes the cell to engulf it by pinocytosis, and then the virus hijacks the cell to replicate itself. This replication can involve many mutations in the RNA code that make it difficult to impossible to create an effective vaccine. There are U.S. Patents showing evidence that Cannabinoids have significant anti-viral activity. (3) (4) Normally any virus infected cells will produce surface proteins that are identified as foreign. The Immune system attacks these cells when the surface protein is identified as foreign. The Ebola virus infection causes the cell to produce proteins that hide the virus from the immune system. The viral proteins are sterically shielded, i.e. “hidden” from view, thereby hindering cellular (and thus viral) destruction by the immune system. This mechanism allows the RNA virus to hide the infected cell by shielding it from view from the immune system.
“Cannabinoids are proven to reduce and prevent Toxic Shock”
clotting occur at the same time.) Toxic Shock Syndrome occurs when the cytokines release causes the blood vessels to dilate to such an extent that a shock state exists. Cannabinoids are proven to reduce and prevent Toxic Shock and DIC (2) The Ebola virus also attacks the adhesions between cells caused by the immune Killer cells to release of VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) which result in the destruction of the Tight Junction between cells and causes a fluid leakage between cells until bleeding occurs. The inhibition of VEGF by cannabinoids prevent the cellular junctions from hemorrhage.
Cannabinoids Inhibit VEGF and inhibit Glioma brain tumors growth by this mechanism. (6) It is reasonable to predict that inhibition of VEGF and other Cytokines by Cannabinoids during an Ebola infection will help the survival of this deadly disease. (6 and 7) Stopping the The cause of death by this release of Cytokines will be a key virus is the body’s own immune re- feature of treatment of this deadly sponse to the viral infection. This disease. is what causes the mortality and morbidity of this infection. The discovery and application of the Endocannabinoid Subsequently, the virus Signaling System is proving to triggers the immune killer cells to be the control of virtually all disrelease the enzymes (cytokines) eases of mankind. Cannabinoids they hold. This release of en- are emerging as a new class of zymes causes other lymphocyte to drugs that treat infections of bacrelease even more Cytokines in a teria, fungi and virus by different Storm of release. This is properly mechanisms of action not found
different virus strains from replicating. These patents also prove cannabinoids decreases the body’s immune over stimulated response to the viral infection. Claims that are made in these U.S. Patents include the following: (refer to patent for exact quote.) A method of treating HIV disease by the direct inhibition of viral replication using a cannabinol derivative of claim 2. (see patent)
References 1) Antibacterial Cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa: A Structure−Activity Study Antibacterial Cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa: A Structure−Activity Study; Giovanni Appendino et al. The School of Pharmacy, University of London
2) Protection Against Septic Shock and Suppression of Tumor Necrosis Factor α and Nitric Oxide Production by Dexanabinol (HU-211), a Nonpsychotropic Cannabinoid Ruth Gallily1, Aviva Yamin1, Departments The cannabinol deriva- of Immunology The Hebrew tives of claim 10 wherein the University, Faculty of Medicine, cannabinol derivative of claim is Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel. used to treat HIV disease by the 3) Cannabinoid derivatives US direct inhibition of viral replica- patent 20070179135 A1 tion.(see patent) 4) Treatment of HIV and dis A method of treating dis- eases of immune dysregulaeases of immune dysfunction tion US 20080108647 A1 which are the result of infectious 5) Curr Pharm origin such as Simian Immuno- Des. 2006;12(24):3135-46. Candeficiency Virus, Feline Immu- nabinoids, immune system and nodeficiency Virus, Herpes Sim- cytokine network. Massi PVacplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cani AParolaro D, University of Insubria, Via A. da Giussano 10, Cytomegalovirus, hepatitis B and 21052 Busto Arsizio (VA), Italy C, influenza virus, rhinovirus and mycobacterial infections using the 6) Cancer Res August 15, 2004 cannabinol derivatives of claim 64; 5617 Cannabinoids Inhibit the Vascular Endothelial Growth 2.(see patent) Factor Pathway in Gliomas Cristina Blázquez HYPERLINK This United States Pat- “http://cancerres.aacrjournals. ent, proves cannabinoids treats org/content/64/16/5617.full”1, this immune dysfunction that becomes what is known as a Cy- 7) How Cannabis Might Keep Coronary Stents Open Longer tokine Storm caused by differ- www.cbds.com/.../how-cannabisent viral infections.(4) might-keep-coronar y-stentsopen-longer In Summation; The US Patents prove down regulation of the immune system by canna-
Cannabis Digest â&#x20AC;˘ Winter 2015
Issue Number 43
www.CannabisDigest.ca
Smit h Vs Cannabis Cookie Case
n March 20, 2015, the top O nine judges in Canada will spend an entire day discussing
whether cannabis derivatives deserve legal status similar to that of cannabis. This will be the first time in history that the Supreme Court of Canada has heard arguments regarding medical cannabis and the regulatory schemes Health Canada has created to provide access to those in medical need. At the center of the trial stands Owen Smith, former head baker of the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club, backed by lawyer extraordinaire, Kirk Tousaw. Several key legal principles are being addressed. First and foremost is the fact Health Canada has attempted to create regulations allowing patients to grow and use cannabis, but has drawn the line at derivatives, which have remained illegal to produce or sell. Making a tea, tincture, hash, or producing butter for cookies, indeed anything that separates the resin glands from the plant material, turns a legal medicine into an illegal drug. For many patients, some of whom are children, smoking is not the best method to ingest the medicines contained in cannabis plants. As it stands the law forces them to choose between breaking the law and their health. Also on the agenda is the legal principle of standing, which states that a person cannot be convicted of an unconstitutional law, even if the law does not apply to him or her. This principle goes far beyond the drug law. The best known legal case that addressed this matter was that of Dr Henry Morgentaler, which proved that the abortion laws violated the rights of women. He argued that he had a civic duty to break the law in their defense. Many cannabis activists have wished to gain the support of the Supreme Court of Canada on the issue of standing; this case should settle the matter once and for all. The cannabis extracts case began on an average working day in December, 2009. Owen was making cookies in a downtown apartment, unaware that the building manager
had called the police about noise and the smell of pot in the hallway. When charges of Possession of THC (tetrahyrdocannabinol) for the Purposes of Trafficking, and Possession of Cannabis, were filed in court, the stage was set for this important decision.
condition changed on April 1, 2014, when a new program was introduced, the Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations. Under the MMPR although large companies were granted licenses to grow, they have been forced to work under strict advertising rules, and can only mail dry herb.
Rather than feeling embarrassed at being considered a criminal by the government, Owen has been proud. “It’s an honor,” he has said, “to do my part in this great effort to help so many people in need of cannabis medicines.” Indeed, he has been a humble warrior for truth and justice. But there is more at stake here than the right to pot brownies, though the headlines would lead one to think otherwise. In some ways, this case has the potential to undermine the drug approval process. The court is likely to give the federal government just one year to create new regulations for controlling the production and use of cannabis derivatives. None of these products will be required to go through the drug approval process. Instead, Health Canada will simply claim these products, while authorized, are not approved, as they have not passed through the rigorous drug testing process currently in place for prescription drugs. Still, they will be available if a doctor approves. The size of the future cannabis extracts markets far surpasses that of the raw herb. Everything from cannabis suppositories to creams, eye drops to the many potential edible preparations, using infinite combinations of cannabinoids and terpenes, could suddenly become available on the legal market. Since most people diagnosed with serious conditions are older and will not likely want to smoke the herb, and with such a wide range of potential medical applications for cannabis derivatives, there is little doubt that before long this new market will dwarf medical raw, dry plant sales. Ironically, should this transition occur, it is likely that the legal decision will benefit the new Licensed Producers more than it will compassion clubs like the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club for Owen worked. An interesting twist to this story is that when Owen was arrested the Marijuana Medical Access Regulations allowed patients to grow their own medicine or have a Designated Grower grow it for them. That
(image by Mark Lehtimaki)
Cannabis Digest • Winter 2015
Vs Regina making Canadian History In an attempt to ensure that any decision in Smith is followed through in the new regulations, the Coalition Against MMAR Repeal has included virtually the same arguments in an injunction they have filed, which is primarily focused on maintaining the rights of patients to grow. Lawyer Kirk Tousaw will appear with lead counsel for the coalition, John Conroy, when the injunction is heard in the Federal Court of Canada over 3 weeks starting in late February. This one-two punch should ensure for all time that patients can produce cannabis and extracts in their own homes without fear of arrest. Anything less is unacceptable. Certainly the most compelling argument for allowing patients to produce their own cannabis and make extracts is economic. As the founder of the coalition, Jason Wilcox, states, “Growing my medicine is important to me for its holistic use of the herb. I am using all the cannabinoids in the plant and provide it for myself at $1.25 a gram.” When you then consider the savings for patients when they make extracts for themselves, the numbers add up quickly.
For many patients, like my love, Gayle Quin, this could be the difference between life and death. Since many drugs are not covered by the health care plan, we have to assume the government will oppose covering the costs of acquiring cannabis medicines, leaving patients to pay for their own. “With the amount of [extracted] cannabis that I have been eating,” states Gayle, “I cannot possibly imagine being able to eat enough [raw] plant material to get this much medicine into me. I would have been dead in a hospital by now without cannabis extracts.” Gayle is one of the four female club members who testified in the case.
By Ted Smith
An explosive situation could occur when the Supreme Court of Canada hands its decision down. If the court rules that patients’ rights are being violated by the existing regulations, and that standing is a fundamental principle of justice, no one in Canada should be convicted of any cannabis derivative charge until such time as a constitutionally acceptable program gives patients access. Seriously, until the courts rule that the access created by the government does not violate anyone’s rights, and a working program is put in place, no charges of producing, trafficking, possession and even importing of cannabis resin, a.k.a. hash, or other Lawyers for the federal gov- derivatives, will be laid. That could ernment are expected to counter this take a long time. view with health concerns for the very people they are fighting, citing prob- This could tear a huge hole lems with dosing and safety. They into the government’s plan to conwill argue that these concerns justify tinue enforcing the cannabis laws. denying patients the ability to have Concentrates are rising in popularlegal access to these products at all. ity among recreational cannabis fans Along with its wild claims about po- in urban centers; there is a growing tential harms from inconsistent can- trend to preferring derivatives in nabinoid doses, Health Canada has cannabis community at large. This strongly denied the medical benefits trend is likely to explode if the laws of oral and topical cannabis prepara- prohibiting derivatives becomes temtions. Yet in documents prepared to porarily mute. While this scenario educate doctors about the plant, the may seem highly speculative, one has Ministry cites studies showing these only to look back just over a decade benefits ago, when the Hitzig decision resulted in the dropping of 4,000 posses Health Canada and its lawyers sion charges. can make all the crazy accusations they want, but nothing will damage From the outset, this entire the evidence entered into court by process has been a great challenge expert witness Dr David Pate. This and opportunity. As I was Owen’s testimony was so compelling that in boss when he was arrested, I had the his final decision, Justice Johnson responsibility both to ensure that quoted almost 5 pages of Pate’s evi- he walked away without a record dence. Pate is far more qualified to and, more importantly, that patients inform the judiciary about the na- could gain legal access to these vital ture of cannabis resin and THC than medicines. It is hard to believe that Health Canada’s so-called expert. after 19 years of fighting for patients’ rights, we are at the door of the Su With the case getting clos- preme Court of Canada with a solid er to a hearing in Canada’s highest case and an incredible team. court, everyone is watching to see which third-parties might appear After this Supreme Court case, as interveners. On the defense side, Owen Smith will be known throughattempts to convince large associa- out history as the first person to suctions, like the Criminal Lawyers As- ceed in striking down Canada’s cansociation of Ontario, seem to have nabis laws. Our organization could worked. The Association believes not be more proud to support Owen, that the issue of standing needs to be Kirk Tousaw, and this important hisaddressed again, and wants to help toric case. ensure that no one is convicted of an unconstitutional law, a principle important in many areas of law. The Association is also in full agreement with the arguments being made by the defense in this case. We are very pleased to have such strong support from an experienced team of defense lawyers.
Issue Number 43
www.CannabisDigest.ca
BarnYard Politics
17
With Respect to Cannabis, Is the Law “An Ass”?
Dr. John Anderson
T
he phrase, “the law is an ass” was popularized by Charles Dickens in Oliver Twist (1838). “Ass” refers to donkeys which have a reputation for being more obstinate than similar members of the horse family (hence the term, “asinine”) . When law is applied rigidly and in a stupid manner, it attracts the reputation of “being an ass”. There are two examples of asinine laws which fail to protect the public against what is normally seen as consensual adult behaviour. When prostitution in Vancouver’s West End was mostly contained within the walls of the Penthouse Cabaret on Seymour Street in the late 1970s, the Vancouver City Police cracked down on the club’s sex trade by using undercover police to collect evidence for prostitution-related charges. The club eventually lost its licence when the two owners were charged with living off the avails of prostitution. Although the convictions were eventually overturned by the BC Court of Appeal, the VPD’s enforcement efforts drove sex workers from within the privacy of the Penthouse to a street venue on Davie Street. This geographical choice provided prostitutes with a relative level of safety in a brightlylit and popular shopping district with its late-night restaurants.
side-walks and parks. Residents and business owners on Davie Street and adjacent neighbourhoods lobbied the three levels of government to do something about these problems as they saw their property values slide. Aside from public disorder, the worst consequences of enforcing prostitution laws were higher levels of violence against sex trade workers who were no longer protected by the social enclosure of the Penthouse Cabaret. As John Lowman from SFU’s School of Criminology notes in his extensive research, the public was protected by the relative invisibility of the sex trade during the Penthouse era. However, the police crackdown generated unanticipated social harms against many residents in the West End. This is what makes the law an ass: its enforcement generates more harms than the behaviour it seeks to control. With respect to the prohibition of cannabis in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), the law too is an ass. While ostensibly on the books to prevent Canadians from being exposed to “dangerous drugs”, the current mix of prohibitions for possession, trafficking and cultivation support the necessary conditions for a black market and its attendant evils.
For several years following the Penthouse crackdown, the sex trade on Davie and surrounding streets flourished, accompanied by myriad incivilities including noise, traffic congestion, parking violations, public drunkenness from late-night bar patrons By including cannabis in the in search of “dates”, public uri- CDSA, the law has created the nation and fornication, condoms situation for criminal organizaand drug paraphernalia left on tions to profit from producing
and selling marijuana. This unregulated market is a caricature of the libertarian dream: prices are determined by a large pool of risk-taking suppliers and demand is fostered by finding new domestic and international markets . While almost all cannabis transactions in BC are conducted without violence, the high volume of cash involved in clandestine sales supports an environment for turf wars, “grow rips”, and criminal groups which strive for greater market share through aggression and intimidation. There are other reasons which make current cannabis laws fall under the asinine label. The harmfulness of this plant has never been established by credible science, except for a precautionary principle which advocates (cor-
rectly in my understanding of the risks) that adolescents and people with certain pre-existing mental health conditions should avoid using it. Secondly, the hypocrisy of criminalizing marijuana while allowing deadly tobacco products to be sold through retail outlets is not lost on our impressionable youth. Finally, the rigid posture towards cannabis enforcement taken by the current Conservative government flies in the face of not only science, but also the progressive gains made by Washington and Oregon which allow adults to purchase cannabis products in an open but regulated market. We need political leaders who can differentiate between the harms of certain behaviours and substances, and the harms caused their criminalization. Otherwise, the law remains an ass.
Dr. John Anderson is with the Criminology Department at Vancouver Island University where he has taught criminology courses since 1989. Since then, he has been Chair for 16 of 20 years. He holds an MA in Criminology from Simon Fraser University and a PhD in Sociology.
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Cannabis Digest • Winter 2015
T h e Voic e
A Families Story of Child Services and Medical Cannabis place on a sunny day three weeks before Christmas last year, when I answered the phone, suspecting nothing. The caller? The Ministry of Children and Families.
Bill’s care. It was difficult to not be offended, and even harder to keep my activist tongue in check.
before Christmas.
We needed more time. We needed more information. The The best course, at this point was plan was to get both. I would call to get off the phone as quickly as The Voice late in the afternoon the After clarifying the family de- possible. I told The Voice I would next day, and ask a list of questions tails, The Voice explained that the have to take some time to think that would hopefully get us more report was in regards to the boys’ about what she had just told me, clarity, while Bill did his best to get Dad, Bill. “The concern,” The and that I would call her back the on to legal aid to see an attorney. Voice said, “is that Bill has smelled next day. She seemed satisfied by like marijuana when he was pick- that answer. The conversation with The Voice the next day was as enlightening Kyla Williams but infuriating. An investigation had taken place in the weeks he Voice on the other end leading up to the fateful phone of the phone was matter-ofcall. The boys’ teachers, school fact. “We are contacting you in reofficials, crossing guards, neighgards to a report we have received bours all were contacted in the about your three children.” ing up the boys from school.” My weeks preceding The Voice’s first No one can really describe the contact with me. Someone was There are five moments in my life mind raced while I did my best to keep a calm demeanor. range of emotions that both Bill clearly looking hard for evidence during which I have been able to and I experienced over the 24 hours of abuse or neglect. When I asked see clearly that I was in the midst “I see” was the only safe reply following. The Voice had made a The Voice to list ALL the concerns of some radical change--OccaI could think of in that moment. damning request. We moved from the Ministry had uncovered, it was sions where a cosmic shift in my life path was taking place and I The Voice explained that what they anger to fear; regret to determina- hard not to laugh in outrage. recognized it as it was happening- wanted to do was get in contact tion; utter sadness to defeat. We “One son had mud on his jacket” -Moments where time stood still with Bill, but after their investiga- did in fact live in a world where tion they felt the best course would the mere smell of your body could she reported. “Your other son reand sped up, all at the same time. On four of these five occasions I be to have me sign a document initiate an investigation into your ported being tired in class” and finally, the clincher, “your youngest found myself staring with disbelief that stated I was the responsible family by government officials. son has been having some issues at the double line on the pregnancy “parent in charge.” It would essentially promise that I would ensure The officials may have noticed with bowel control, although we test. I was to become a mother… again. The fifth major shift took the boys’ safety when they were in Bill’s herbal aroma, but did they understand from his teacher that also notice that Bill played every- is a medical issue and he is under day with the kids in playground treatment from a doctor.” after school? Did they know how many times he had kissed their owI summarized the Ministry’s poies and adored their artwork? Did sition for her to be sure I underthey talk to the boys’ last school stood it. “So, you are investigating principal who extended an open Bill because of the way someone invitation to Bill to come back to says he smells, and you are backthe school anytime “to play with ing this investigation with the evithe kids?” She didn’t have any dif- dence that one of the boys had mud ficulty recognizing the value of an on his jacket, one was tired one day engaged, attentive, and fun male in class, and one has a medical isrole model. It’s not likely that the sue? Is this the kind of evidence people who noticed Bill’s odour, that warrants an investigation and and reported it to the police, knew documentation? Can you please these things about him. Nor did tell me which of these things indithey likely realize that Bill was a cate that there is any harm or safemedicinal user, and that the mari- ty issues with my boys?” The voice juana scent was in fact part of the was taken aback. I am sure that on elixir which allowed him to be the account of our relationship status attentive, loving father that our (the boys father and I do not live children and their friends got to together) The Ministry thought it enjoy. Medical marijuana helped would be easy pickings on Bill’s Bill to manage his pain, yet in the parental rights. Most exes would mind of The Voice, he stood con- willingly have signed a document victed. declaring themselves the responsible parent in charge. But I had We needed to come up with a spent the better part of a decade plan, and fast. I reached out to my understanding, educating, arguing contacts in activism and hoped to and fighting the unjust legal status find someone who could point us of Cannabis. It wasn’t likely that in the right direction. While my The Voice and I would see eye to colleagues were sympathetic to eye on this one. our situation, they had very little advice to offer. The best collective As our conversation progressed wisdom was to contact a lawyer. it became clear that this particular The problem was that lawyers cost social worker equated the use of money. We were both struggling marijuana with drinking alcohol. to get by the best we could at any given time, let alone three weeks continues on next page.....
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“No one can really describe the range of emotions that Bill and I experienced over the 24 hours following”
Issue Number 43 ....continued from previous page “If someone smelled alcohol on a parent at the school that’s something we would be concerned about, especially if they were driving,” she responded quickly. I wondered aloud if they would be concerned about people taking Oxycodone for pain before they came to pick up their kids. Her questions then turned, asking if Bill used Marijuana for pain. Of course, I kept telling her she would have to ask him, and that I was only trying to understand their policy on such things. She asked questions about whether Bill drove the boys to school or anywhere else. Bill doesn’t own a vehicle, and the boys and I lived only two blocks from school. That one was easy to answer. The call ended politely, but the battle lines were drawn. I was going to support my ex in this situation. Meanwhile, Bill had discovered that he qualified for legal aid here in BC, and they were quite timely in their response. Within three days he was speaking directly with a lawyer who, on Bill’s behalf, contacted the Ministry. Bill’s lawyer relayed the crux of the conversation to us. They were mostly concerned about Bill driving the boys while under the influence. The lawyer told us that The Ministry would contact her when they had made a decision about what they were going to do next.
www.CannabisDigest.ca vealed several bruises all around her body. The medical examiner stated that her head hit the floor so violently that she had “subdural hemorrhaging, subarachnoid hemorrhaging, and retinal hemorrhaging of both eyes.” Just four months after Alex’s parents were to regain custody of their daughter, they found themselves instead planning her funeral. This is a tragedy of monumental proportions. How much more painful it is still when we recognize that Alex was far safer in her own home
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ties and welfare of your children.
kids don’t always understand that, or care. . Realize that You stink. No. They just are mean. Really. You smell… and to nostrils sensitive to smells of exotic . Keep talking to your kids. herbs you are a walking neon sign Once the conversation about advertising your personal business. your own use of Cannabis beIt takes two minutes to engage the gins you need to keep talking. Be use of some soap, water, and tooth- open and available to answer their paste. If you are really in a tight questions in an age appropriate spot, some smelly cologne or per- way. Be mindful NOT to register fume and a piece of gum can be a shock about the questions they ask quick fix, but don’t expect to make (they ALWAYS know more than any new friends…. you think) but be (age appropriately) honest. You MUST be willing to answer their questions in a satisfactory way or their curiosity WILL get the better of them and they WILL ask someone else.
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“Cannabis consuming parents have to hold themselves to a higher standard in a traditionally straight laced environment.”
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. Identify the ‘trusted adults.’ This can be incredibly handy when the information and insight you have to offer on the whole marijuana ‘thing’ doesn’t seem to be enough. Some kids are extra curious, so it’s always good to have in mind a few trusted family friends that you can ‘greenlight’ for your kids’ marijuana discussions.
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. Be the best you can be! It’s hokey but its true! Just like women who have to work harder in a traditionally male workplace to prove themselves, Cannabis (The Williams boys and friends at a car show) consuming parents have to hold . It goes without saying that themselves to a higher standard with her own parents. toking in your kids’ airspace in a traditionally straight laced is bad form. Step outside, seal a environment. You must be above Sherill Small was convicted and room, break out your vape, or eat a reproach when it comes to your sentenced to life in prison for Al- candy, cookie, or brownie. parenting duties. Your kids must ex’s murder. When their daughter be on time for school, in clean It was a long Holiday sea- taken away and subsequently mur. Your medicine should be clothes, with clean, fed, well rested son. Government holiday clo- dered, Alex’s parents were in effect under lock and key. Always. bodies with their homework done, sures meant the decision was de- also sentenced to life. Their ‘crime’ While you and I both know a bot- and their heart full of their parents’ layed until the kids went back to was smoking marijuana. tle of Tylenol will cause more harm love. If despite your best efforts school. It was a weight on both to your little one than an ounce of the Ministry contacts you, here are our shoulders. We were familiar It was hard to not let these hor- Kush, it’s all about the perception a few helpful tips gathered from with the injustice that ran ram- rific scenarios play out in my head of safety. At any age kids are curi- our experience. pant throughout USA and Canada as we waited to hear back from ous. Best to keep the stash securely when it came to Child Services the Ministry. Days stretched into stored unless you want to get a call * First, foremost, and above all overstepping their mandate. weeks when finally in January, Bill from school because little Johnny else, when the initial call comes contacted his lawyer once again to brought a nug to show his keep your shock in check and Perhaps the most haunting ex- get an update. She had not heard watch your words. Admit nothing, friends. ample of such injustice is the story from The Ministry, so she made and out no one. ‘Can I get back of Alex Hill, a happy-go-lucky some calls on Bill’s behalf. . If you grow, they must never to you on that?’ IS an acceptable two-year old from Texas who was know. Even if you are grow- response. taken from her parents after her The news was a huge relief. They ing legally. Kids are fascinated by father, Joshua Hill, admitted to were mostly concerned with Bill taboos. Most kids learn by grade * Ask questions. Clarify everyChild Welfare investigators that driving the boys around intoxicat- five about the taboo of cannabis thing you can. The Ministry will he smoked marijuana after Alex ed, but they felt that the boys were but don’t really understand the not reveal where the complaint was asleep at night. This, com- safe under our care. Our file and ramifications. It’s a curiosity to came from, however they will tell bined with Alex’s mothers medi- the investigation had been closed. them, not a reality. you what the report said. In my cal condition (frequent seizures) But the stress had ruined Christcase they read the complaint word led the caseworker to remove Alex mas for Bill and me and those who . Talk to your older kids about for word. Ask if they have done from the home in early 2013. She were aware of the monster we were what is ‘family business.’ any further investigation and who was placed in foster care to keep fighting. We were more than re- Stress the importance of your pri- they have contacted. Ask quesher safe. lieved to have The Ministry out of vacy. Explain that not everyone tions about what they learned in our lives. understands how your medicine of that investigation. Information is In July of 2013 Sherill Small, the choice works, and that people can power, and until you know everywoman who was tasked to keep As with most negative experi- be judgemental in these situations. thing that you’re up against, you Alex safe, murdered her in what ences in life, prevention is the key. When talking to kids I like to use won’t know the appropriate way to one can only assume was a fit of To prevent unwelcome attention the analogy of a bedwetter. If you respond. rage. She admitted in the emer- from the Ministry of Children and know someone wets the bed and gency room, where she had taken Families there are plenty of things you tell the other kids at school, ★ Contact a lawyer. Getting a Alex, that she had ‘accidentally’ you can do to avoid the stress and you know they will be teased by lawyer is by no means a sign of slammed the two-year old against upheaval that comes with an inves- the mean kids. We all know it is guilt; it is a sign of intelligence. the floor. The autopsy however re- tigation into your parenting abili- a medical problem, but the mean continues on next page.....
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Cannabis Digest â&#x20AC;˘ Winter 2015 a parent activist, I can say that it is a fine line we walk everyday. We weigh our desire to speak out on Language and the meaning of injustice against our need to keep words move to a different level our children protected from a well when you are dealing with law. meaning Ministry that is bound by Lawyers live and breath legalese; the very laws we are fighting. you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. This is a difficult balancing act, * Reach out to your support sys- but one that we must continue to tem. Fear is a formidable foe, and do. Parents, more than any other friends can help you keep a level demographic, are more likely to head. Having your people around vote against legalization propoyou can be a healthy distraction. sitions. Their views are based on Do not allow wondering who it fears that legal Cannabis will cause was that reported you, eat you up. their children harm in some way. This can only lead to paranoia, Cannabis friendly parents need to which can have you mistrusting counter this fear-based message everyone and everything. with facts that are accurate. For example, children can consume a * Carry on. By law, The Minis- pound of pot without harm, but try *has* to investigate every report a bottle of whisky can kill them. they get. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let a negative re- Also, prohibition creates a black port steal the joy from your family. market that is willing to sell to your Continue to do all the things you kids. The black market cares only normally do, and maybe a bit more. that they have money. And finally, Plan some special times with your Cannabis use does not signify that kids, and console yourself with how people are good or bad parents; acabsolutely wonderful your children tions do. are. ....continued from previous page
Ten years ago things were in a much different place. Activism has had an important effect. Slowly, over time and through contact with families like mine and yours, The Ministry is getting the message that Cannabis use does not translate into poor parenting. As
Issue Number 43
www.CannabisDigest.ca
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Cannabis Digest • Winter 2015
Updates, Warnings and Suggestions public are greatly appreciated.
Ted Smith
Finally, a reminder to everyone that we publish a blog every single day on the Cannabis Digest webpage. Over the winter holidays we released our cannabis carols, including a new one I wrote called I Saw Mommy Puff With Santa Claus. Seriously, though, our blogs are increasing in popularity every month as we have gathered an excellent team of writers to share their thoughts about this fascinating scene.
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ell it appears as though I will be writing the “Updates, Etc.” article in each issue now, taking over from my love, Gayle Quin, who is struggling with her health. She will continue writing a personal note with each issue. This newspaper may not have existed without her. She was the one who, in 2003, strongly insisted that the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club create a newsletter. After surviving 4 police raids in 2002-03, the VCBC needed more than ever to communicate with its membership. Our first issue was no more than a large photocopied sheet folded in half to make 4 pages. Soon after Owen Smith was busted for making cookies we turned our newsletter into a national newspaper; we knew that this case would have huge implications, and wanted to make sure the public understood what was happening. Now that we are going to the Supreme Court of Canada in March, having won at every other level of the judicial system, our hard work creating this paper is starting to pay off. While there is virtually nothing any of us can do to help our lawyer Kirk Tousaw in court, we can support the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club financially by helping to pay for some of the court costs. Members of the VCBC have paid for almost all of the costs of the trial so far. Given that the potential benefits stream far beyond our group, this burden is unfair. Hopefully others interested in seeing changes in these laws will help fund this critical court case.
solid projects.
(image by Mark Lehtimaki)
Since I have had to withdraw from a lot of my work in Victoria it has been a struggle for the society to continue the 420 meetings at UVic, but nevertheless the crew is making sure it happens every Wednesday. If you know anyone who might be interested in speaking at a 420, please feel free to contact us, as we are always looking for guest speakers to fill the void I have left behind. This has been the first year in a decade without my UVic lectures, and it feels weird. But the students love the 420 gatherings and it will continue on forever, one way or another.
of the club over $100,000, so any donations coming in from the
The first thing we will do this year, in late January, is help the VCBC celebrate its 19th birthday. Not sure what is planned at this point, but if you are a member you should watch the white board in distribution for updates and announcements. Hard to believe it was 19 years ago I started all this but the facts speak for themselves. It is also hard to believe that we will be at the centre of the first medical cannabis case ever before the Supreme Court of Canada. But on March 20 as Owen Smith heads to Ottawa to fight for cookies, that is exactly what is happening. More specifically, Owen’s case is very important to people for two reasons. First, his case should assure that patients gain legal access to cannabis derivatives. Second, his case will affirm that no one can be convicted of an unconstitutional law. Talk about huge!
As for the club itself, everything appears to be going smoothly. It has been two years since I turned it into a non-profit society and let it function on its own. In late fall the club held its second Annual General Meeting, with all of the incumbents getting re-elected, along with the addition of Ron Vanzetta. While the transition to a non-profit was rather unexpected at the time, it certainly appears as though the club is positioned So our group needs to fundraise. very well for the future. There will be several attempts to raise funds, some online via In the fall the International Facebook but mostly in Victoria. Hempology 101 Society, the These will focus mainly on March owner of this paper, also held its 17, International Medical MariAGM, with several new faces join- juana Day. We plan upon holding the team. It has been a tough ing our annual silent art auction at year for our board of directors, as the VCBC, so feel free to come by the strain of trying to carry on the club in March and place a bid. the weekly meetings last summer Other activities will be announced caused a handful to step back from when everything is confirmed. the group. Now with a revitalized This case is costing the members board we are still focused on a few
(Cannabinoid Graphic by Dieter Macpherson)
Issue Number 43
www.CannabisDigest.ca
The Attack of the Ad Man
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Harper’s new anti-pot campaign
on Canada’s marijuana policy and for this reason the CFPC, CMA and Royal College will Debbie Stultz-Giffin not be participating. We did not, and do not, support or enan you really believe Health dorse any political messaging Minister Rona Ambrose’s or political advertising on this claim that a new anti-drug cam- issue,” Canada’s doctors said. paign targeted at teens wasn’t asking Canadian physicians to take a partisan view on cannabis this summer? Now that the ad campaign has rolled out, it is undeniable!
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As you may recall the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC), the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC) had all been approached to endorse the Conservative anti-cannabis crusade. All three professional organizations declined. In a joint statement issued by the above three medical groups, Canada’s doctors said they were invited “to co-brand and provide expert advice” on this public campaign, initiated and funded by Health Canada. Their participation was meant to only rubber stamp the project.
of marijuana use by young people. the fact that this government tends to use public money for ads Francescutti said, the anti-drug that do more for its partisan aims campaign did have a politi- than for actual public service.” cal tinge to it leading doctors to distance themselves from it. In typical Conservative fashion, Ambrose then endeavoured Meanwhile this ad campaign to flip the coin on Trudeau by claiming that he was the catalyst to politicize cannabis. In fact she claimed, ”Justin Trudeau made this a political issue by saying Health Canada’s anti-marijuana campaign was a thinly veiled attack on him.” “Telling kids not to smoke pot is not a partisan attack on Justin Trudeau by Health Canada. It is a sound public health policy backed by science,” she claimed when she spoke to the CMA. “Whether pot is legal or illegal, the health risks of marijuana to youth remains the same and we should all be concerned about them.” Trudeau hasn’t been the only politician attempting to hold Health Canada’s feet to the fire over this blatantly partisan ad.
came to the attention of Liberal Dr. Louis Hugo Francescutti, Leader Justin Trudeau who stat- Liberal MP Hedy Fry told the “The educational campaign has CMA’s president, told reporters ed, “We know that taxpayers are Commons health committee in now become a political football doctors are well aware of the dangers getting extremely frustrated with November that the Conserva-
Cannabis Digest • Winter 2015
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tive government is “going around scaring people to death” with “panicky” and politically motivated anti-marijuana commercials.
Voters from coast to coast and from all walks of life are finding this ad offensive, and an abhorrent waste of our tax dollars. Citizens, politicians and the meAmbrose’s response? She dia are all screaming partisanmaintains the ads are sci- ship and pre-election pandering. ence-based and non-partisan. If you have yet to view the ad it is available on YouTube. As of December 14th there had been 652,819 views; 714 indicated their approval and 7004 disapproved of this video. The multimillion-dollar campaign includes a television advertisement showing a human brain constructed from glass tubes complete with thick smoke flowing through them. “Marijuana can damage a teen for life,” the narrator says. A comment left a few weeks under the YouTube video in late November sums up how many feel about the ad. “Meanwhile, the government endorses alcohol with the beer store and LCBO, which is scientifically proven to be more damaging than marijuana to brain development. Tax dollars fund LCBO & Beer Store Ads. I guess it’s because they can make money from it, and this government cares more about money and votes than about your health,” a viewer remarked.
written by John Geddes, that suggests that this exorbitant campaign was a relatively new brain child of the Harper government. Geddes tells his readership how the Conservatives spent money over five years, ending in 2012, for a major advertising cam-
“ The educational campaign has now become a political football on Canada’s marijuana policy”
(Harper’s new anti-pot ad features a glass brain bong) Ironically it was the Conservatives who ran a series of attack ads on Trudeau for his stance on legalizing marijuana. The last round coincided with the issuing of the above endorsement request.
paign to accompany their DrugsNot4Me program. That ended in funds being budgeted for larger scale advertising strategies, such as the current anti-cannabis ad.
Health Canada officials revealed The campaign also hit Facebook, that the government’s Central twitter and Pinterest,all with mixed Interesting to note is the Ma- Advertising Fund “is the prireviews, predominantly negative. cLean’s article from August 15th, mary source departments use to support government campaigns.” Geddes notes that the most recent report on that fund, outlining expenditures during the April 1 to June 30 time frame, shows $5.5 million being given to Health Canada for a campaign on “prevention of illicit drug use.”
five year blueprint had done so. At least two years ago this very same government deemed that advertising was not crucial to their anti-drug strategy. What changed between 2012 and 2014 to make advertising on the dangers of cannabis to come under the radar of public health policy? Trudeau’s talk about liberalizing cannabis law is garnering support for the Liberal Party of Canada. This makes the Conservative Party of Canada nervous to the point that they are willing to continue to perpetuate their archaic ideological approach to cannabis, and ignore anything remotely resembling science and logic. They are catering to their supporters. In reality this serves little purpose in protecting children. It saddles them with trust issues in regard to authority figures, which then creates the ripple effect as they dis-believe anything that “the authorities” have to say about any substance. Get ready for election 2015 and make sure that you ask informed, well articulated questions of all of the candidates that darken your door, or during a debate in the community. Let’s keep cannabis front and centre and let the Conservatives continue to embarrass themselves with the flagrant waste of tax payer’s hard earned money and their apparent wilful ignorance regarding cannabis. Make sure that cannabis remains an election issue and that you and your friends are all registered to vote!
Debbie Stultz-Giffin So that is the pocket from which NWAC-East Coast Community the funding for this unbelievable Leader ad is being pulled. But if we are to swallow the hollow claims of nonpartisan policy, why would the latest five year plan for the anti-drug strategy not allude to a mass media campaign? After all, the previous
Issue Number 43
www.CannabisDigest.ca
The Herb of Life
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An Epic Cannabis Medicine Fantasy Adventure While challenging the Canadian Cannabis laws to legalize extracts for medical patients, Owen has written his experience into an action packed fantasy adventure. Not satisfied with making history by bringing the first ever medical cannabis case to the Supreme Court of Canada, Owen seeks to create a new mythology where cannabis is re-instated as a sacred spiritual ally. Rhyme your way through the 1st chapeter of this epic story, laden with lessons about how and why Cannabis can be considered The Herb of Life.
As the boys grew they too mastered these arts and created the tools that they´d need for the plants, to separate the resins just like their grandmother and make medicines like no other. (The complete book is scheduled for release in 2015 Stay Tuned to www.CannabisDigest.ca for more info.)
by Owen Smith Chapter 1
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elieved to be seen in a lush green valley, in the shadow of a mountain, in a kingdom by the sea, was a boy on a farm with his small family, who were known to sell a certain kind of seed. But while bringing him a brother, the boys’ mother died and his father, who loved her, was not far behind and the sons were left under their grandmothers’ care, a crone with high cheekbones and silvery hair. She taught them to tend to the herbs and to render the old medicines that so few now remember, with the simplest of implements and a glimmer in her eye, she’d dry the plants flowers and shake off a fine powder, which was light and fluffy and allowed her to dissolve into her bowl a very small amount that she´d make into brownies and take around to the hospital and all the sick people she found. Like someone in pain, needing sleep or appetite, with sore bones or glaucoma, to stop them going blind, for skin irritations or migraine headaches, or for people who uncontrollably shake: her herbal remedies were beyond compare, prepared with such attention to detail and care. She´d also use the stalks of the herb to make ropes and wove it as baskets and spun as clothes. While her fortune was little, she would make the most of this true Herb of Life, whose seeds she would roast or press to make cakes, or squeeze for oil, keeping secret its name for fear it would spoil men’s hearts, who when governed by fear and greed would steal for a flower, or kill for a seed.
(image by Sean Newton)
Cannabis Digest â&#x20AC;˘ Winter 2015
Issue Number 43
www.CannabisDigest.ca
U.Cal. Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research
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Eliminating the Ignorance and Myth around Medical Marijuana Due to the 1972 designation of marijuana as a Schedule Dean Schwind One drug, studies of the plant have been limited. But with legalization n the last month of 2014, in the state of California, came the quietly and without fan- call to understand all the aspects of fare or hoopla, the US Federal Gov- this medicine scientifically. After ernment unceremoniously unfunded meetings between the University of the war on medical marijuana. The California and members of the state U.S. House of Representatives’ ap- legislature, the Centre for Medical proval of the landmark Hinchey- Cannabis Research was established Rohrabacher Amendment to the 1.1 at the University of California San trillion dollar “Cromnibus Spending Diego. The funding of the CMCR Bill” essentially blocks the U.S. De- is the result of proposition 215, othpartment of Justice from using any of erwise know as the Compassionate its allotted budget to prevent States from enacting and implementing laws legalizing the use of medical marijuana. With the heat off, so to speak, the industry south of the boarder experienced an explosion of economic opportunities in the world of medical marijuana. While longterm advocates celebrated, business sprang into action, making instant fortunes and flooding the marketplace with hundreds of strains, oils, tinctures, and edibles set to cure all that may ail you.
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The centre’s scope has grown under the direction of Dr. Igor Grant MD FRC P(C) and has it expanded its research over the years to offer information from studies like: Cannabis for Treatment of HIV-Related Peripheral Neuropathy; Vaporization as a “Smokeless” Cannabis Delivery System; Short-Term Effects of Cannabis Therapy on Spasticity in MS; and Sleep and Medicinal Cannabis, to name but a few. The list of studies is impressive and leaves one with the sense that we have just begun to scratch the surface of under-
Since the legal door has opened a crack, new players have been lining up to get a foot in. But not all are lining up in hope of providing compassionate relief for people suffering from illness. Many new players in the medical marijuana industry are simply and coldly calculating their business futures in hope of getting firmly established when the door finally and inevitably swings wide open to the larger and far more lucrative recreational marijuana marketplace. Amid the excitement of the dawning of a new future many people are seeing the 800-pound gorilla in the room for the first time. The gorilla in the form of the—so far only quietly asked—question: Does marijuana actually work for all those illnesses? Can we believe the market claims? Or are they myths? Right behind that gorilla is an even bigger one in the form of the medical question: How does it work? Suddenly, doctors are faced with being asked to prescribe a drug that, due to its Schedule One designation, for which little to no hard data is available to suggest clinical indications. There are few studies that have proven the efficacy of cannabis as medicine. With serious questions arising around the realization that there are no clear optimal doses for treatment for any of the legally treatable conditions, concerns are understandable. They are mandated by the physicians’ commitment do no harm. Even more problematic for doctors, is the fact that THC/CBD concentrations, content, and potency vary wildly from producer to producer with no standards whatsoever. Not surprisingly there are increasingly louder calls from the medical community and many activists for definitive clinical trial evidence of why and how cannabis works.
(image by Mark Lehtimaki) Care Act, and SB 847, passed by the state legislature and signed into law by Governor Gray Davis. The legislation calls for a program that oversees objective, high quality medical research that will “enhance understanding of the efficacy and adverse effects of marijuana as a pharmacological agent,” stressing that the project “should not be construed as encouraging or sanctioning the social or recreational use of marijuana”.
standing all that this plant has to offer.
The Center coordinates and supports cannabis research throughout the State of California. Research focuses on the potential medicinal benefits of cannabis for diseases and conditions as specified by the National Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine Report (1999), and by the Workshop on the Medical Utility of Marijuana, National Institutes of Health (1997).
These clinical studies are important. They address understandable public health concerns, apply controls on the marketplace based in medical fact, and help to find answers that will convince the medical community that no long-term harm comes from the use of medical marijuana. More importantly, successful study of this plant will open the door to future investigations for its use with patients suffering from PTSD and other psychological conditions. The mounting clinical information is beginning to make its way into public awareness. The centre has already established itself as a leader in the field, offering clinical data about medical marijuana to millions of doctors and other organizations worldwide.
The initial areas of emphasis for CMCR funding were severe appetite suppression, weight loss, cachexia due to HIV infection, chronic pain—particularly neuropathic pain, severe nausea and vomiting associated with cancer and its treatment.
Recently the National Football League reiterated its policy of suspension for cannabis use. Yet there are multiple current and former players coming out of the pot closet to talk about the pain involved with playing professional football,
and the relief of that pain that comes from medical marijuana use. Some estimates claim that more that 60% of current NFL players use marijuana for pain relief. But the league has stated that until the medical community comes out in favour of medical marijuana for pain relief and prescribes it, the policy will not change. The result of California’s forward thinking is that the CMCR is the only accredited and recognized authority on cannabis and pain management in the US. In future it may equip doctors with the information they need to issue with confidence those prescriptions providing relief to ailing NFL players, and eventually to the general public. The Centre for Medicinal Cannabis Research at the University of California is the benchmark, but just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the future study of the plant. Major universities and big pharmaceutical giants are now in the process of creating or expanding marijuana studies all over the planet. Our knowledge of the plant is growing exponentially, and former anecdotal evidence is being scientifically proven and/or disproven daily. The truth is coming out about this miraculous plant—and not too soon. The toxicity, stress, and tension of modern life contribute to unparalleled levels of cancer, heart disease, PTSD, anxiety, and environmental sensitivities. Marijuana could prove to be the saviour of humanity in the 21st century, and not just as the legal replacement for alcohol and prescription drugs. It could save us through advances in the medical world. It could save us too through the large-scale production of industrial hemp for use as paper, fuel, textiles, and building materials. The future marijuana activists have dreamed of has arrived, at least south of the border, offering Canada an opportunity to observe and learn about what not to do when it comes to marijuana in general. As we explore, debate, and eventually vote marijuana into a legal reality in Canada, we can stake our scientific understanding at least partially on the ground breaking research being conducted at CMCR, helping to pave the way for Canadian universities and businesses to play their part in the story of decoding further this ancient gift from the planet.
For more information about CMCR or to read or download any of the studies mentioned in this article please visit http://www.cmcr.ucsd.edu/
Cannabis Digest â&#x20AC;˘ Winter 2015
Issue Number 43
www.CannabisDigest.ca
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HEMPOLOGY 101 CROSSWORD CANADIAN CANNABIS ACTIVISTS
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Crossword Answers
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Cannabis Digest • Winter 2015
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
MED POT NOW SOCIETY 4170 Fraser St. , Vancouver Tel: (604) 569-2119 www.medpotnow.com
NORTH ISLAND COMPASSION CLUB Tel:250-871-5207
THE HEALING TREE 529 East Hastings St., Vancouver Tel: 604-569-1091 http://delta9medical.ca/
OCEAN GROWN MEDICINAL SOCIETY 1725 Cook St Unit 1, Victoria Tel: 778-265-1009
REDMED 231 Abbott St., Vancouver Tel: 604-559-9444
VANCOUVER ISLAND COMPASSION SOCIETY 853 Cormorant St., Victoria Tel:250-381-8427 Fax: 250-381-8423
CANNA CLINIC 758 East Broadway, Vancouver Tel: 604-558-2454
NANAIMO MEDICAL CARE CLUB 14 Lois Lane, Nanaimo Tel: (778) 441-0141 nanaimomedicalcareclub.com
PACIFIC CANNAMED SOCIETY 1259 Kingsway, Vancouver Tel: 604-558-3225 8546 Granville St., Vancouver, BC Tel: 604-563-3250
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 1594 Kingsway, Vancouver Tel: (604) 875-0002 Email: vcmsofficial@gmail.com
T.A.G.G.S 11696 - 224th St., Maple Ridge, BC Tel: 604-477-0557 Fax: 604-477-0575 Email: taggs420@live.com NELSON COMPASSION CLUB #203-602 Josephine St. Nelsom, BC Tel: 250-354-4206 Email: nelsoncompassion@yahoo.ca 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 WESTCOAST MEDICANN 2931 Cambie St., Vancouver, BC. Tel: 604-558-2266 www.westcoastmedicann.com PAIN MANAGEMNT 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 GRASSROOTS BOTANICALS WELLNESS COOPERATIVE 4730 Willingdon ave, Powell River Tel: 604-485-6636 Fax: 604-485-2458 www.grassrootscannabisdispensary.com
Alberta M.A.C.R.O.S. 4121-118 Avenue NW, Edmonton, Alberta Tel: 780-457-6824 Website: www.macros.ca
Ontario 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 66 Wellesley St E 2nd Fl, Toronto Ontario Tel: 647-291-0420 www.medicalcompassionclinic.com
Maritimes THCC—FARM ASSISTS Tel: (902) 495-0420 http://thccsociety.wix.com/home *To add your club to this list, please contact: editor@cannabisdigest.ca
Issue Number 43
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E BRITANNIQUE - CANADA DUTY PAI
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The ORIGINAL
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