Cannabis Digest Issue 48 - Spring 2016

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Issue Number 48

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Cannabis Digest • Spring 2016

ISSUE # 48 SPRING 2016

CREDITS

CONTENTS

Publisher

Ted Smith <hempo101@gmail.com>

Editor-in-Chief

Judith Stamps <editor@hempology.ca>

Graphics Editor

Owen Smith <rainbowensmyth@gmail.com>

Into the Breach - Part 2..................................P.03

Dieter Macpherson <dietermacpherson@gmail.com>

Editor/Publisher Notes.................................P.05

Jenn Gurak <cannabis.digest.advertising@gmail.com>

Nowhere to Vape...........................................P.07

Web Editor

Advertisements

Perceptual Framing.......................................P.11

Contributors Ted Smith Judith Stamps Owen Smith Chris Clay Russel Barth (Pottawa) Tracy Lamourie Jason Heit David B. Allen M.D. (USA) Courtland Sandover-Sly Georgia Toons

Cover by Mark Lehtimaki

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

Cookie Parties On June 11............................P.13 Balancing Your Health..................................P.15 Athletes Fight Back......................................P.17 Gardens Get Green Light.....................CENTER Grassroots Developments...........................P.21 Do You Need a Toke, Man?...........................P.24 Updates, Warnings, Suggestions.................P.26 Pottawa: Let's Put On a Show.......................P.29 Appropriate Hazard Control.........................P.32 Small is Beautiful..........................................P.35 Wordsearch / Comics.....................................P.37

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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 48

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Into The Breach - Part 2

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Pioneer Blazes Trail for Improved Access to Medical Cannabis cused my ADHD-driven mind, medical document, and in early while the CBD left me feeling December I eagerly logged in grounded and calm. to Tilray's website to place my first order.

Grass Clippings & Hay At first, I was confused by the During the months that fol- selection. Tilray had sent a slick lowed, I made the commute orientation package that listed from Shawnigan Lake to Vic- all kinds of strains, but the ontoria a number of times to test line store only listed several various strains from the VICS, “house blends.... each artfully but nothing left me feeling as crafted by combining strains calm, focused and grounded as within categories.” It turns out CBD Rene. I then discovered Tilray had taken on more paChris Clay that VICS’ founder Philippe tients than they could supply at Lucas had moved on to become the time, and most strains sold "There is no passion to be found a VP at Tilray, a mail order “li- out very quickly after they were in settling for a life that is less than censed producer” operating un- posted online. However, their the one you are capable of living." der Health Canada's MMPR “+CBD House Blend” was still - Nelson Mandela n the fall of 2014, I found myself seriously experiI menting with cannabis for the

first time in nearly 20 years.

After a recent divorce, I had launched a quest to find myself again and wondered if cannabis might help. I had rarely used it since general anxiety disorder had descended upon me in my mid-20s... However, I discovered that the Vancouver Island Compassion Society (VICS) offered a strain relatively low in THC and high in CBD, and I felt it was worth a try. CBD Rene, a Cannabis Cup-winning strain developed by Mat Beren of House of the Great Gardener, was everything I had hoped for and more. The THC fo-

(My underwhelming f irst legal shipment) program, and that Tilray offered several high CBD strains.

Excited by the prospect of buying legal cannabis for the first time in my life, and tired of making the drive to Victoria, I visited my doctor to obtain a

The very next afternoon, a white Purolator Courier van arrived and delivered my first legal shipment of medicinal cannabis. Filled with anticipation, I carefully unpacked the box – stuffed with treats.

They included a free grinder, rolling mat, sticker, brochures, a Christmas ornament... and a white, child-proof bottle containing 15 grams of what I hoped would become my new medicine of choice.

Cutting through the “made in Canada” seal, I gingerly opened the lid expecting to find a lovely blend of world-class cannabis. I had spent years of my life fighting to legalize cannabis, and I could hardly believe I was finally unpacking my first legal batch. Much to my chagrin, the contents looked like lawn clippings and smelled strongly like hay! Despite the unpleasant smell, I packed my vaporizer and gave it a try... I soon found myself feeling nauseous and discombobulated. It was the worst batch of cannabis I had ever seen, smelled or tasted, and the effects were very disappointing compared with my experiences with CBD Rene.

available, featuring “a mix of our My first legal cannabis shipmost popular +CBD strains: ment looked like grass clipAfghani CBD, Cannatonic, pings and smelled like hay.

Sweet Skunk CBD & Warlock CBD.” That sounded incredibly promising so I promptly placed an order.

Cannabis Digest • Spring 2016 Team Tilray

ciety. I reconnected with old friends who were still involved Dismayed, I called Tilray's with the LCS, and they were customer support line and was able to provide me with a high told that more CBD strains CBD strain called Swiss CBD, were currently being grown. a rare variety bred by the SouthThe new strains would be re- ern Humboldt Seed Collective leased as dried flowers instead with a high CBD:THC ratio. of the “milled blend” I had been It tamed my anxiety better than sent. In the meantime, I con- any medication I had ever tried, tinued to rely on the VICS for and the LCS provided it to me my medicine. for free because of my past activism (I was told I was part of Six weeks later, Tilray fi- the “honour guard.”) nally released CBD Afghani and CBD Sweet Skunk. Both strains were beautiful, fragrant, dried to perfection, and most importantly, very helpful for my ADHD without aggravating my anxiety. Even better, each batch had its THC and CBD levels clearly labeled, which helped me determine which raMy visit back to London tios worked best for me. Tilray brought up a lot of memories had redeemed themselves in surrounding my decade of acmy eyes, and I took to defend- tivism in the cannabis commuing them on their Facebook nity, and it reminded me how page when other patients com- my focus had eventually shifted plained of one thing or another. to medicinal cannabis. After For the first time in my life, I operating the country's first was able to order rare high- hemp store from 1993 to 1997, I CBD strains, legally, from the moved to BC's Sunshine Coast comfort of my home, and have to grow for the Compassion them delivered the next day. It Club in Vancouver. Although seemed too good to be true, and I was on probation because of unfortunately it was. the constitutional challenge, I was very open about my activiBy Spring 2015, both CBD ties and my garden was featured Afghani and CBD Sweet in The Nature of Things with Skunk had vanished from Til- David Suzuki and Canadian ray's menu, and my supplies Geographic magazine along were running low. Panicking, with local community newsI contacted Philippe Lucas di- papers. I served on the Club's rectly and he suggested I try first board of directors, and for Tilray's newly released “Can- a time I worked on-site as an natonic” strain. It was higher in administrator. I also served on THC than CBD but I gave it a the VICS board of directors in try anyway, only to find it made its early days, when I relocated my anxiety worse. I then tried to Victoria. emailing Tilray's customer service centre out of desperation.

I left London feeling rejuveThe response, simply signed nated and grateful, especially “Team Tilray”, advised me that after finding out the LCS would both CBD Afghani and Sweet continue to supply Swiss CBD skunk were “currently in pro- to me upon my return to BC. duction, though we do not yet Finally having a stable supply know when exactly they will be of high CBD / low THC canready for release. Please keep nabis provided an immeasuran eye on your e-mail for up- able boost to my overall mental dates, as we will let you know health. In the months that folbefore they are released. Have lowed, I realized that I had my a great day!” mojo back; I also felt increasing stirrings of discontent as I Meanwhile, I had booked a examined the direction my life trip to Ontario and, based on had taken. Before long, I was my monthly limits under the yearning to do something epic, MMPR program, I wouldn't be and a vision for a medicinal allowed to order anything else cannabis centre in Vancouver from Tilray until my trip was Island's Cowichan Valley began underway. Team Tilray advised to take shape. me that they could only ship to my home address, so even if I For several months, I conwanted to try another strain, I tinued my quiet life – working was out of luck until I returned from home, building websites, home. I soon found myself in corresponding with clients by Ontario, out of medicine, with email... The catalyst for change no legal way of obtaining more came on June 22, when legendand no idea when my strains of ary activist and Cannabis Dichoice would be back in stock. gest publisher Ted Smith invited me to his birthday party. In Fateful Encounters attendance were staff and administrators from various comReturning to London, On- passion clubs and dispensaries, tario for the first time in more activists, cannabis growers, and than a decade, I reached out to edible and concentrate producthe London Compassion So- ers. Fired up after connecting

with so many people in the industry, I could hardly sleep that night. The next day, I resolved to put out a few feelers to see where they led.

Warmland I had expected to encounter barriers of all kinds. Instead I found wide-open doors at every turn. I met with Ted privately soon after the party, and he shared both wisdom and contacts with me. Next, I retained

“I had expected to encounter barriers of all kinds. Instead I found wide-open doors at every turn.”

renowned constitutional lawyer Kirk Tousaw for legal advice and backup in case of trouble; during our initial meeting, I learned that he had even done his masters thesis on my Supreme Court challenge. I met with Mat Beren, who agreed to supply his award-winning strains and seeds, including my all-time favourite, CBD Rene. I also discovered that he had developed both CBD Afghani and CBD Sweet Skunk, the lovely strains that I was occasionally able to order through Tilray. I met with Dieter MacPherson, executive director of the Victoria Cannabis Buyer's Club, who convinced me to do a soft launch and keep things low key at first – sage advice during a time when Stephen Harper was still in power and his minions were sending cease-and-desist letters to dispensaries across the country. I met with many other people over the next few months. With only one exception, a city official in Duncan who angrily proclaimed: “dispensaries aren't coming here,” everyone was overwhelmingly supportive as my plans coalesced.

I soon found an ideal location at the front of a mall on the Trans Canada Highway in Mill Bay, nestled in the Cowichan Valley just south of Duncan. The valley was named Quw'utsun', or “the warm land”, by the Coast Salish people and Warmland seemed a perfect name for the shop. After a whirlwind of planning and many long days and nights, Warmland Medicinal Cannabis Centre quietly opened its doors on August 21, 2015 – exactly 60 days after Ted's fateful birthday party.

Eighteen years after closing my last shop and fifteen years after winding down my last cannabis garden, I was back.

It's now seven months later, and Warmland has now grown to nearly 500 members. Alongside the traditional high-THC cannabis flowers and edibles, the centre also stocks a wide range of CBD infused prod-

ucts: honey, tinctures, capsules, baked goods, oils and more.

New members are signing up daily, seeking cannabis to treat all manner of ailments – chronic pain, cancer, multiple sclerosis, arthritis, anxiety, sleep disorders... The list seems endless.

Each day brings new stories of pain and suffering, but also of hope and healing. Perhaps unsurprisingly, a large portion of the members are senior citizens experimenting with cannabis for the first time – often in attempt to wean themselves from opiate painkillers. Many members are also disillusioned patients fleeing from the MMPR program, tired of the problems associated with Health Canada's mail order system, and the large corporations seeking to monopolize the industry.

Warmland's grand opening featured talks by Ted Smith, Kirk Tousaw and Owen Smith, who described their own Supreme Court challenge which legalized cannabis edibles and extracts. The centre also hosted the South Cowichan Chamber of Commerce's annual Christmas Party and, more recently, the Vancouver Island chapter launch for the international networking organization Women Grow. An on-site Museum of Cannabis History is in the works, and with the courts reaffirming the rights of patients to grow their own cannabis, Warmland is expanding its selection of cannabis cultivation books and genetics.

The Heart of Access When I first discovered the ridiculousness of Canada's cannabis laws in the early 1990s, it seemed that change wasn't too far off. The Liberal government was pondering decriminalization; activists were hammering away at the laws through court challenges; and cannabis culture stores soon multiplied across the country. Then came the dark times – the last, best hope for change failed in the Supreme Court of Canada, and Stephen Harper's rise to power killed all hope of political reform for a decade. Now, Justin Trudeau's “sunny ways” are here and legalization is nigh.

No one yet knows what's going to happen when the dust settles (even pharmacies and liquor store unions are jumping on the bandwagon), but as Justice Michael Phelan wrote in the Allard decision, “dispensaries are at the heart of cannabis access.” Constitutional lawyer John Conroy agrees, signaling that: “the next fight is making sure the dispensaries are legal.”

Twenty years after my first arrest for selling cannabis, I'm back in the fray to help ensure legalization is done right.

Issue Number 48

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E DI TO R S NOTE : Creative Optimism

Judith Stamps Creative Optimism: The Only Way To Go.

elcome to Issue 48 of W Cannabis Digest. If you have, with any passion, been watching the changes in Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cannabis scene, you will have experienced days of confusion, giddy exuberance, and angst. The landscapers have been at work. Cannabis extracts are legal. Denying patients the right to grow is illegal. Dispensaries are legal (where municipalities allow them). Denying patients safe access is illegal. These chang-

es have allowed patients to breath more easily. But more changes are presently to land, and we have little idea of the content. Health Canada will on August 24th announce its new rules for regulating cannabis-based medicine. Patients, for whom the rules are being written, can only imagine their shape. The BC Federal Court will rule soon on whether patients who lost their MMAR licenses can get them back. Those waiting to hear can only guess. If Canada had Glinda, the Good Witch of North as prime minister (my preferred candidate), we could anticipate at leisure.

But it has Trudeau the Unknown, so we anticipate with unease.

specialized medicine makers, delivery people, tech support people, insurers, and brokers.

This coming May they have arranged for the first dispensaries in Vancouver and Victoria BC to be given municipal business licenses. For spring 2016, Canadian activists gripped by anticipation have planned nation-wide parties. In April, Canadians can attend 420s, and meet Dana Larsen on tour; heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s travelling the country to promote Overgrow Canada. On June 11th there will be Cannabis Day picnics, designed and promoted by Victoria activist, Ted Smith. On July 1st we will have Cannabis day. Throughout the spring and summer Canadians can tend their Overgrow Canada Happily, cannabis activists plants. Here and there everyhave spent decades in this one will see posters for local kind of suspense, and have festivals and cannabis forums. learned to be optimistic and creative anticipators. Whilst This year, in addition, crewaiting they have, for exam- ative optimism has done someple, built cannabis dispensa- thing extra. It has pushed the ries, bakeries, and small, me- case for legalizing cannabis dium and big gardens. They in Canada to a legal tipping have become master growers, point, I think. When Justice

5

Phelan ruled last month in favour of patient gardens, he did so on the grounds that the law forbidding them was arbitrary. It was arbitrary because its stated goal was to create safety, yet its notion of safety was premised on harms that turned out to be illusory.

The rule of arbitrariness is a mind-bending, if obvious, idea. Should anyone challenge the constitutionality of cannabis prohibition today, they could well see it thrown out on similar grounds. How, after all, has prohibition made anyone safer? This ruling brings substance and clarity to the prohibition issue, and puts pressure on governments.

It signals that the longstanding practice of faking harms is out. If thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the case, then one way or another, freeing cannabis from its shackles is in.

So buff up your best planting shoes this spring, and plant creative optimism. For solid results there is nothing like it.

Editor@Hempology.ca

6

PUBLISHERS NOTE: Just Grow it!

Ted Smith If you care about cannabis, this is the year to grow some.

W

Cannabis Digest â&#x20AC;˘ Spring 2016

hether you intend on smoking it, juicing it, baking it in a cookie or giving it to your cousin, this year it is very important for everyone who can to grow a few plants in their gardens or living room. Instead of worrying about getting a high yield with thick buds, just throw some seeds in some dirt and get going, sooner than later. The point of encouraging everyone to grow some cannabis is not to flood the market but to further undermine the fear of this plant, and help everyone be more familiar with it.

excuses for not growing at with cannabis being grown least a plant. is a very important step in the revival of this plant.

Exercising your rights by growing a plant or two is Of course, many will be one of the best ways to feel tempted to plant seeds on empowered. Watering your public property, too.

It green buddy will give you a seems every year there are sense of pride and a feeling great stories about pot plants of self-empowerment that growing beside police staonly comes with disobey- tions, courthouses, parks, and ing unjust laws. This will be other government buildings. one of the last years where It is hard to imagine that the there is any sense of illegal- day is coming when such a ity for growing a few plants thing will not cause anyone for personal use and we will to blink an eye, but until we forever lose the excitement are at that point we need to that comes from challenging the establishment with a little plant.

Since most people do not have seeds sitting around, we really need people with seeds to give them out. Better yet, start them and give them away as little houseplants to people that do not even use cannabis but like plants.

Many people that do not use cannabis would still love to have a plant around for the smell and interesting conversation that seems to follow it around. What could be more fun than taking a tray of baby cannabis plants around to your friends one Even though the new le- afternoon to see who wants galization scheme has yet them? to come into place, there is no real chance of arrest for That is exactly what suanyone growing less than 10 preme cannabis activist plants, as police are reluc- Dana Larsen is doing this tant to fill out paperwork for spring, as he travels across something the courts do not the country trying to disconsider a serious crime. In- tribute seeds to everyone deed, how can they consider interested in planting them. it a crime when the federal He is really hoping many of government is preparing to the people he sends seeds to allow everyone to grow their will simply plant them on own freely in the very near their front lawn, where the future? As long as you are whole neighbourhood can not involved in an illegal ac- watch them grow. Helping tivity or are physically dis- everyone become familiar abled, you really have few

keep pushing it.

So get out there and grow.

Get some cannabis seeds sprouted and get yourself a house plant before you stick it out in the garden. There is nothing to fear anymore and the sense of freedom you cultivate within yourself will surprise you. Let the seeds of truth line the path of your walkway!

Issue Number 48

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Nowhere To Vape

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O n t a r i o Va p o r L o u n g e s a n d P a t i e n t s R i g h t s a t R i s k

Tracy Lamourie

In cannabis vapor lounges across the province, people of all ages, races, gender, health issues, musical tastes...a veritable cross section of the population, gather together, as they always have, in peaceful environments to share a toke, a dab, a smile, a social moment to relieve isolation. Most of them aren't aware that this could all be over soon.

They can't imagine a scenario where these places could be closed. After all, these are the business owners who a decade

a leading role in the fight to kill the bill. She sprang to action, revamping the "Cannabis Friendly Business Association," originally formed to fight the municipal battle when a Toronto City Councillor tried to shut the city's vapor lounges down a few years ago - and creating a formidable organization to lead the canna-business community.

In an exclusive interview with Cannabis Digest, Abi stresses that the CFBA (http://www. cannabizassociation.ca/) isn't

It's a confusing time for cannabis advocates in Ontario.

O

n one hand, the canna community and the businesses that serve it appear to be flourishing. The vapor lounges have existed in the Toronto area for a decade; recently they have multiplied, and are popping up in smaller communities across Ontario.

Dispensaries and compassion clubs are opening in almost every area of the city... places like Kensington Market ago braved law enforcement to almost seem to have a new one provide these safe spaces for paevery week on every block. tients, their advocates, and others who prefer cannabis to alcoIn spite of the fact that, as hol, and friendly vapor lounges I write this, snow still on the to bars. What could possibly ground, spring has sprung, and shut their doors now; after a Ontario's canna culture is pre- decade of successful business, paring for 420 events across paying taxes, operating with the the province. There will be the support of their communities, massive Toronto event at Yonge grateful customers and happy Dundas Square. It regularly regulars? welcomes 10-20,000 pot aficionados for a giant smokeout and It's called Ontario Bill 45, and celebration. And there will be it very possibly might slam those smaller, newer, events in com- vapor lounge doors shut, lockmunities where sparking up a ing them - permanently - bejoint or waving a bong around hind the last customers to exit, still invites harsh punishment on the last day of June 2016. from local police (we're looking at you, London, Ontario; a Abi Roach, the founder of participant was actually arrested the Hot Box, Toronto's original during 420 last year...Shame!) vapor lounge space, has taken

just for Ontario, and it doesn't exist just to fight this battle. "We need numbers," she says. "We need members from Newfoundland to Vancouver Island. It's not only this. If we win this battle, we have longevity, we'll be able to fight for dispensaries and compassion clubs, and other kinds of cannabis related business as they try to regulate, control - or even shut them down. The CFBA is working with other cannabis lobbying groups like the Cannabis Growers Association of Canada and Sustainable Cannabis. As we move towards legalization it’s important that the interests of small and medium sized cannabis businesses - and by extension, the customers we serve are recognized."

But today, the focus is on this impending legislation - Ontario Bill 45. Abi and the CFBA have been working hard to educate consumers, business owners, patients, and other affected stakeholders about just what this bill will mean. She finds it frustrating that so many customers, when they first heard about the Bill, didn't seem to understand the import of what Ontario cannabis consumers and the businesses that serve them - are facing here. People expressed surprise that those who never seemed to worry about police enforcement of cannabis laws are telling us that it could be Bylaw officers who ultimately shut these spaces down. As Abi points out, "They'll come in every day and fine you thousands of dollars, and then when you can't pay, there goes your Master Business License."

The Bill has a 40 day consultation period leading up to July 1st implementation, unless it can be stopped with lobbying efforts or a court injunction.

Essentially, Ontario patients who medicate with cannabis, other cannabis consumers, and the businesses that serve them have been caught in a web of legislation meant to equate vaping with smoking. It goes even further, says Rick Vrecic, a partner in True Compassion Toronto, a stand alone compassion club in the cities west end. "Medical marijuana users are being treated like tobacco smokers. The comparison should be medical marijuana users and those with asthma inhalers!" True Compassion Toronto says they exist "to bring a true sense of hope, health and healing to those who need it most through access to effective and safe forms of medical cannabis products." In keeping

Cannabis Digest • Spring 2016 with their mandate, they joined the CFBA mostly to be a voice for their patients, "standing up for those who can't." Rick is particularly concerned, from the patient perspective, because Bill 45 will not only close down vapor lounges - but will stop medical marijuana patients from being able to vaporize anywhere that smoking cigarettes is not currently allowed - basically anywhere except a patient’s private home -- and if they live in public housing, or need the care of a PSW, even private homes will not be exempt.

Sam Mellace, the Canadian cannabis pioneer who now heads New Age Medical Solutions, (among many other projects that he's working on!), says: "Vaping pens are another tool to administer cannabis. It should be subsidized and should be declared a medical instrument.

Cleaner and more efficient for people, like seniors, to administer cannabis, due to arthritic pain, chronic ailments due to old age, and other chronic pain." Sam says it is ridiculous that cannabis should be covered under the same law as tobacco. "There is no comparison," he says, "You just can't compare cannabis, a medicine, to tobacco, with 150 carcinogens and over 1000 chemicals in tobacco!"

Jeffrey Allen, an Ontario resident and medical marijuana patient who with his business partner Michael Kaer, recently announced plans to open a vapor lounge called "The Other Side," in the small, conservative city of Chatham Ontario, says: "Ontario Bill 45 would effectively make vapour lounge establishments, illegal to operate. Patients would effectively be made prisoners in their own homes.

We operate on the concept of harm reduction in a community that needs strong action of the sort. This bill negates any intention to move forward in helping patients. It further stigmatizes them. Just a few months ago, they announced that medical cannabis is just that, medicine, and that smoking/vaping in any public establishment was permitted, with the clause that employers/business owners could overide that, and ask them to step outside, or to a designated area. Now, all of a sudden they completely switch gears, and demonize cannabis patients, yet again."

Those patients are expressing outrage. Loretta Ann Clark says: "Lounges are protected by section 7 of the Charter as safe inhalation sites. They each are unique in community pro-

gramming, addressing needs, and proving the power of comedy, community, music and art.

Toronto, as one of the greatest human rights towns on earth, should lead the way. To take away such places will bring heaps of negativity, resulting in human rights violations and a rebellion that is sure to shame the province. We have reached a breaking point with the persecution and fraudulent claims of prohibition." Maurice Fazio agrees, adding: " I just don't get it... Heroin addicts get clean injection sites, but to vape our cannabis we have to risk our lives hiding in scary back allies or brave freezing conditions? ...

Cannabis patients deserve a safe place to medicate also!"

So what is being done?

In mid March, Ontario canna- business leaders met for an emergency meeting at the Hot Box to discuss, educate, and strategize. They determined to raise funds to hire a professional lobby group, a legal team, and to build the organization. With over 100 attendees representing more than 60 related canna-businesses, Abi Roach commented on how much the industry has grown in the decade since she opened...."At one time there were barely any of us,

now we can't even fit 5% of the industry in the same room.

On April 1st, the CFBA released the results of a recently commissioned poll, done by prominent polling firm Mainstreet Research, which determined that "a majority of Ontarians would support safe spaces for medicinal cannabis patients across Ontario; 56% approve of safe spaces for medical cannabis patients to learn about and consume cannabis".

Building on this, a mainstream media release is expected this week; the CFBA is meeting with politicians in all parties, and they are hopeful that they will prevail. However, the urgent support of the national cannabis community is necessary.

The CFBA needs donations, the co-operation of Canadian cannabusinesses from coast to coast, and they are also asking for impact letters from patients, business owners, cannabis lounge users, and other stakeholders.

Visit www.cannabizassociation.ca to see what you can do.

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Cannabis Digest â&#x20AC;˘ Spring 2016

Issue Number 48

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Perceptual Framing

11

Perceptual Framing, The Cannabis Activist and the New Cannabis Industry and started to ask: What can social movements learn from their own history? I focused especially on the idea of framing, and it is through this idea that I wish to explore ideas on what is to be expected.

Judith Stamps

In the years 1967-8, the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco housed a radical community action group called the

lators choosing amongst given objects in a given marketplace.

We are creatures that have internalized, learned sets of cultural associations. These associations determine where we place our attention, and filter everything we sense. Prohibitionists, for example, have learned to associate the ideas: marijuana, criminal, degenerate, and more recently, child predator. That’s

L

icensed producers that play well with others; licensed producers that don’t; MMAR producers; non-licensed producers; personal growers; soon to be licensed dispensaries (for profit and non;) publicly traded companies; for profit medical script writers; vape lounges; private sellers; brokers; bakers; insurers; bong shops; legal service providers; networking event producers; and tech support companies. In BC, my home province, this dizzying array of bodies, ranging on the legality scale from dark to dawning grey, dots the social and political landscape. Not the least of its mind-bending features is the slow courtship and coming together of traditional social activists and new business people: for profit dispensaries with multiple locations and expansion plans; LPs and dispensaries; investors. What sort of marriage is this? And what sort of love?

I recently came across a group of articles titled: What business can learn from social movements. Authors listed practices like framing, building personal contacts, and linking products to social issues. They talked about passion, authenticity, and community, providing parsed, commoditized social movement techniques, encased in warm, fuzzy buzzwords. This marriage, if it was one, had a poor effect on my mood. I was cheered, however, when I altered the titles

Diggers, named after a 17th century group of English visionaries who tried to establish a society free from private property. The San Francisco Diggers provided free food, a free store, a free medical clinic, free concerts, free transport, and free temporary housing. They engaged in guerilla theatre. They liked to hand out small, yellow wooden frames they called ‘frames of reference.’ Radical thought required a re-framing of the idea of community, and more generally, a focus on the every day framing of reality. They coined the phrase: Today is the first day of the rest of your life. That was a good frame.

been the frame. Cannabis activists have had to learn to be re-framers. “I’m a patient, not a criminal.” “Grow hemp; heal the planet.” “Pot prisoners are political prisoners.”

Recent political events provide a case in point. Canadians have a newly elected majority Liberal government that plans to legalize cannabis. It has promised to do so. Problematically, it has appointed as head of its task force, former Toronto police chief, and prohibitionist, Bill Blair. Over 22,000 people have been arrested for cannabis possession since the new government took office, and there is no end in sight. If you ask Blair there is no timeFraming is no trivial thing. line for legalizing, and in the We are not, as economic models meantime, no plan to stop to the suggest, a set of rational calcu- arrests. Prime Minister Trudeau

echoes these sentiments. On this matter then, the Liberal Party of Canada appears to have produced a new interim frame of reference. It says: We hold the reins; you are powerless.

Why did they create such an improbable frame? Have they not figured out that legalization is around the corner because of the work of activists?

To be charitable, perhaps they are scrambling, and have no idea what to do.

Of course they couldn’t recruit an activist or two to help out. That would not fit the frame. In the meanwhile, veteran activist Dana Larsen has responded with an alternative frame of reference.

His reads: Each of us can plant a seed; planting is power. His plan, Overgrow Canada, offers cannabis seeds to one and all, to be sprouted and planted, preferably everywhere, from coast to coast. From powerlessness to power; that’s good re-framing.

I return now to the topic of love, or something like it. Business oriented activists, cannabis industrialists, and just plain activists share in wanting to see weed legalized as soon as possible. Even sooner. They share in rejecting reefer madness scare tactics. They don’t see themselves as corruptors of youth.

There is, besides, a loose coalition of activists and new business representatives, that wishes to see a robust, generous-minded legalized cannabis economy with room for everyone, big, medium, and small. They want to see a new, thoughtful economy with space for artisans, and personal growers. They wish to be welcoming to women entrepreneurs. Besides this, they’d like to see medical cannabis untaxed, and patients’ cannabis medicines covered under provincial medical plans. On these fronts, there is space for friendship, and maybe even courtship and marriage, providing, of course, that these

Cannabis Digest • Spring 2016 bonds of intent are maintained. litical offices, and thus to underIf all goes as hoped it will be the mine democratic values. InvesThoughtful Cannabis Industry. tors speculate on food, shelter, medicine, and water, making the Social movements in general, necessities of life progressively however, share frames that sit less affordable, a situation that poorly with business as we have come to know it. The movements for civil rights, women’s rights, the environment, and for legalizing cannabis, for example, have long had a commitment to non-violence. They’ve been anti-war. Business, on the other hand, has long participated, where convenient, in the arms industry, and chemical weapons industry. The arms industry is an equal opportunity user. Had it turned out to suit the needs of MK Ultra, cannabis could have been a chemical weapon.

Hemp fibre can build cars and tractors. Can it build firearms? appears to be getting worse, not Is it likely to? Does cannabis better. What should we expect oil have military applications? from the New Thoughtful InWill cannabis businesses invest dustry? How will it relate to in war technology? Add hemp elected officials? Will it invent to K-rations? Roll joints for new forms of liaison? Engage in the battlefield? Whether the shared projects? Will its memanswers matter in some cosmic bers run for office, or seek senate sense I can’t say. I can say this: appointments? What will this In the new cannabis industry, industry’s own investments look perhaps at all levels, they will like? What will their commitmatter more to some than to ment be to social and economic others. justice? These are divisive issues, ones on which even love Contemporary social move- will founder. ments also share liberal democratic values, and a belief in Many cannabis activists, in adeconomic justice. Business, by dition, are new age spiritualists. contrast, has learned to buy po- They have a unique frame of

reference. They see cannabis as a sacrament. New age spirituality is a free flowing, decentralized, and tolerant phenomenon with no central text, creed, or dogma. Its followers, although

would be forgiven for thinking that North America is a place made up entirely of an upper middle class and a wealthy class.

They’re full of exquisite photos, in which the houses gleam, and the adults and children look healthy and radiant. This frame of reference permeates every urban commercial establishment, with the exception of health food stores, which are plainer but are expensive places to shop.

It is also markedly absent—perhaps I should put this point in boldface—from the older compassion clubs and some dispensaries. How will participants in the new thoughtful industry relate to the glossy magazine frame? How will Big Cannabis relate?

a diverse group, share in feeling that they are tapping into some sense of the divine. You won’t hear that kind of framing at the forums, seminars, and discussions on regulating the new cannabis economy now vying for your attention. Consumer goods in industrial cultures are sold through exploitative sexual imagery.

Many cannabis magazines have shared in this practice. When the new cannabis industry is permitted to advertise, as eventually it will be, what sort of framing will it use? Lush interiors? Curvy girls? Alien viewers of North American glossy magazines

I started this mild rant will a lengthy list of cannabis providers and their associates, both old and new. By the time this blog is posted and you have read it, this list will have grown and changed, and new associations will be forming. Take my advice. Polish up your favourite frames of reference. Build some new ones. Have at least a half a dozen handy, and switch your use of them frequently. Ask the hard questions. It’s the only thing, short of a reliable crystal ball that will guide our journey to what comes next.

Issue Number 48

www.CannabisDigest.ca

Cookie Parties On June 11th

New Date Set For International Medical Marijuana Day hours.

proclamations to raise awareness and public support for The origins of International their causes.

Medical Marijuana Day go back to Nov 15, 1994 in Wash- Getting your city to proclaim ington DC and other cities June 11 as International Mediacross the USA. After learn- cal Marijuana Day might not ing of this historical fact, we be as hard as you think, destarted to organize events on pending on how conservative Nov 15, 1995 to coordinate they are. All you need to do is with activists down South but send a letter requesting council no solid contact was made. pass the declaration, along with In fact, several years ago we the proclamation. To make is learned US activists were orga- easier, I have included a sample nizing a week of events in Feb letter here. and we tried to do the same here, but again failed to make Dear Victoria City Council Ted Smith direct contact with organizers across the border. A few years Hope you are having an excelfter 20 years plus of us- ago we simply moved IMMD lent day. ing various dates to raise to March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, awareness about cannabis on in a desperate attempt to direct On June 11, 2016, citizens International Medical Marijuana Day, a day to celebrate, with special meaning for many cannabis patients in Canada, has been chosen. Last year the Supreme Court of Canada handed down a unanimous decision protecting the rights of patients who choose to use cannabis extracts. The decision came down on June 11th in the trial of Owen Smith, former head baker for the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club. It only makes sense to move the date (printable files available at CannabisDigest.ca/edit-these-posters-for) of the IMMD to this meaningful day. people away from alcohol and around the world will be celSince June 11 is generally a over to a greener, more friendly ebrating International Medical Marijuana Day with picnics nice day, we hope to encourage product. and other activities. Since alindividuals and activist groups With so many positive develmost every other activist netacross the world to host picnics opments for patients, there work seems to have a day put in public parks, so patients and their supporters can gather to is a lot to celebrate. Starting aside to honor their struggle, it share some cookies or other with the Owen Smith decision only seems fitting that patients treats. In Victoria, the Inter- last year, a new federal govern- who use cannabis also mark a national Hempology 101 So- ment promising to legalize for date on the calendar as their ciety will host a picnic starting all adults, and a recent court own. at 4:20 pm on Sat June 11 at decision that ensures patients’ what is known as the Mush- rights to grow their own medi- This date marks the anniversaroom Tree in Beacon Hill Park cine in a program that must ry of the Owen Smith decision (near the bandshell). As op- come into effect this summer, last year by the Supreme Court posed to other years when we the last 12 months have been of Canada which gave patients have held rallies, the intent of the most exciting the Canadian the right to make and use canthese picnics is not to protest cannabis culture has ever seen. nabis extracts, rather than just but is meant to provide a safe The proliferation of dispensa- using the raw plant material, space for patients to enjoy their ries has also made access easier, which the original regulations increased the range of products restricted patients to. medicine with others. available and helping underTherefore, I humbly request Certainly sharing cannabis mine the fear of cannabis.. the city proclaim June 11, 2016 cookies on International MedOver the years we have tried as International Medical Mariical Marijuana Day is nothing many different approaches to juana Day. Thank you for your new. The idea came to me in 1999. With little warning, I raise awareness about medi- time. made 101 cookies and handed cal cannabis. Since 2002, the them out at a rally in the in- City of Victoria has officially International Medical MariInternational juana Day ner courtyard of the downtown acknowledged Medical Marijuana Day with a public library in full view of proclamation that makes sever- WHEREAS Cannabis has a police officer and the press.

When I showed up with 420 al statements directing citizens been used as a medicine since cookies the next year, things to respect patients choosing to the beginning of recorded hisdid not go so well. I was ar- use cannabis as medicine. It is tory; and rested and eventually convicted our hope that other civil rights Governments by a jury of possession for the activists will learn how easy it WHEREAS is to request their city council around the world have compurposes of trafficking THC. do the same this year, much missioned many large, comMy sentence was 1 day in jail, which was really less than 3 like other activists have used prehensive studies on medical

A

“QUOTE NEEDED”

13

cannabis, with every one to dat recommending legalization, decriminalization and/or more research; and WHEREAS Science is proving that cannabis is an antiinflammatory, muscle relaxant, anti-biotic, anti-septic, antifungal, anti-emetic, and pain reliever, amongst other medical benefits; and WHEREAS Courts have recognized basic human rights include the right to access to cannabis for people suffering from incurable diseases and chronic pain; and WHEREAS Governments and community groups around the world are growing, distributing, and researching cannabis for medical purposes.

Now, therefore, I do hereby proclaim Sat June 11, 2016 as International Medical Marijuana Day in...

One of the best parts of asking the city to make this declaration is that they give you a really nice printed copy, with a fancy seal and the mayor’s signature, that you can proudly hang in your business or home.

The process costs no money.

The worst thing that can happen if you try is the council will vote against it, hopefully making a bunch of ignorant comments that get quoted in the local media.

Our society has also organized a silent art auction on IMMD for many years, as we have almost been constantly fighting in court. We will be encouraging organizers of other picnics to hold small auctions or raffles to support a local court case or patient that has suffered the wrath of the law. This year we will likely organize both a silent art auction at the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club and a raffle at the picnic, with funds going to the VCBC to help pay for the costs of going to the Supreme Court of Canada last year..

Silent auctions are a great way to raise funds and awareness for a cause but it does take some work and a commercial space willing to display art and bidding sheets. Some places that do not have a willing dispensary may have to resort to one or two pieces of art in a head shop or local cafe, as often wall space in a store is hard to find. Make sure you put minimum bids on the really nice art. Since the bidding ends at 4:20 exactly,

Cannabis Digest • Spring 2016

you might want to bring the Early into this campaign it apart to the picnic for any last pears we have friends interestminute offers. ed in organizing picnics in 10 cities across Canada, including Raffles will be much easier for 5 provincial capitals! While most people to organize, giv- exact locations are still being ing local cannabis businesses a determined, more information chance to display some of their will be coming out as the date wares, and others a chance to approaches. Since it is only a give some of the arts or crafts picnic, we expect volunteers to they have made. If there is not announce locations up to the an obvious place to donate the last minute so everyone who money, like a dispensary or a wants to can be involved in Inpatient that has been raided, ternational Medical Marijuana then hopefully organizers will Day, even if it is only a handful be able to agree on where any of friends smoking joints and funds go. With so many sick passing around brownies. children starting to use cannabis oils to control their seizures Anyone interested in organizand other medical problems, it ing a picnic in their area for should not be hard to find the International Medical Mariright place to send help. juana Day should contact me at hempo101@gmail.com. Really Some picnics might not have all you need to do is pick a nice organizers prepared to do any spot for a picnic that others fundraising, and, honestly, that will be able to easily find. Postis not super important. These ers are available with a space events are really intended to to add the location, making provide a chance for the can- it easy to print and distribute. nabis community to gather together in a nice place and relax. (CannabisDigest.ca/edit-theseOf course, a few bakers will be posters-for) keen to share their goodies, either because they hope to establish a market for their treats or because they love sharing their favourite foods. For the most part, though, this is intended to be a non-commercial celebration.

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>

Issue Number 48

www.CannabisDigest.ca

Balancing your health

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Metabolism, Homeostasis and the EndoCannabinoid Signalling System provide specialized functions to benefit the organism as a whole.

Some cells develop into muscle, some into bone and others into cartilage, nervous tissue, liver and all other tissues of the body.

Specialized cells have special requirements for energy. Tight control of energy utilization is needed so as not to burn up resources needlessly or produce David B. Allen M.D. too much exhaust of toxic byproducts of metabolism. Feedomeostasis is a term that back control mechanisms ensure is used to describe both that the correct amounts of enthe survival of organisms in an ergy and exhaust are produced. ecosystem and the successful survival of cells inside of an orCells produce protein enzymes ganism. Organisms and cell pop- that sequentially break down ulations can maintain homeosta- sugars and fats. The end prodsis in an environment when they uct of metabolizing sugars and have a steady level of births and Fats is a molecule called ATP or deaths. Metabolism of different Adenosine Triphosphate. ATP is foods or substrates (sugars, car- a chemical storage battery that bohydrates, starches, proteins the cells use to power all metaand fats) requires a series of bolic processes. Each step in the different protein enzymes that metabolic breakdown of sugar, in breaks down each of these food sources. Cells that have the necessary enzyme systems required to metabolize different types of food sources can adapt to scarcity of one food and extract energy from alternative food sources.

H

Homeostasis is adapting to both internal and external variations in food availability, temperature, PH and other environmental pressures. The organism that can change what it metabolizes has the survival advantage.

This means; Metabolic Flexibility is Adaptability and Adaptability is Homeostasis!

order to produce ATP, has to be Homeostasis is brought about regulated by a feedback mechaby feedback inhibition of an en- nism to ensure homeostatic balzyme process or cascade. This ance is maintained. controls the overall rate of the metabolic process.

Enzyme cascades, whose purpose is to metabolize differThroughout evolution, cells ent food sources (substrates), had to adjust to climatic fluctua- have a feedback mechanism. tions in order to survive. As cells Feedback control occurs when organized and became living the product of any step in an enorganisms, environmental pres- zymatic process inhibits the prosures determined life and death. duction of more of that product.

In order to survive, an organism This negative feedback controls had to have the ability to burn the overall rate of the enzymatic different fuels when primary fuel process to prevent overproducsources were scant. Evolutionary tion. The diagram below shows pressure caused cells to organize. feedback inhibition of the iniCells were forced to specialize tiating enzyme (a) by the end into tissue layers that formed product of the reaction in the limbs for mobility, guts for pro- cascade. cessing food and sensory organs for sensing the environment.

When cells collaborate together, they must have cellular communication. By sensing the environment and responding to what other cells do, the individual cell lives and prospers. The reason cells have the ability to organize is because of protein receptors that transverse the cell wall and sense the environment. Think of these receptors as antennae Glycolysis metabolizes the sensing the environment. The substrate glucose, which is broability for cells to communicate ken down by an enzymatic casallows them to differentiate and cade. This produces energy in

the form of ATP (Adenosine Tri Phosphate or the energy molecule of the cell!). The first step is to Phosphorylate glucose to make G-6-P or Glucose6-Phosphate. The presence of G-6-P will stimulate the next enzyme in the cascade to further degrade the glucose and produce ATP. The presence of G-6-P will also inhibit the enzyme that phosphorylates Glucose so that a build up of G-6-P does not occur. By this feedback mechanism, both the stimulation and inhibition of the overall enzymatic process are controlled. The process of stimulating one enzyme and inhibiting other enzymes is the process of Homeostasis, which is the ability to sense the environment and make changes in order to survive.

In all Eukaryote cells (cells with nuclear membranes), the sperm combines with the egg to form a Zygote. A Zygote is an embryonic stem cell with all of the DNA code information for the entire organism or animal.

Stem cells are simple cells. They divide and make more stem cells and also differentiate into one of three specialized germ cell layers.

Although the DNA information is present in the stem cells, they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the proteins needed to make bone or muscle or nerve cell components. Additionally stem cells are susceptible to high concentrations of oxygen free radicals. By manipulating which substrate is burned, you change how fast ATP and oxygen free radicals are produced. Burning sugar produces a large amount of energy quickly in the form of Changing rates of metabolism ATP, yet also produces a large and sources of food allow the or- amount of exhaust in the form ganism to adapt and survive. of oxygen free radicals.

Metabolizing fat produces even larger amounts of energy. It does so at a much slower rate, therefore producing exhaust or oxygen free radicals at a slower rate.

Here is where the ECS or Endocannabinoid Signaling System has evolved to control cellular respiration, metabolism and energy production. The ECS is a system of chemical messengers, protein receptors and enzyme systems to transport, degrade and removed excess cannabinoids.

The Krebs Cycle Glucose can be metabolized

by Glycolysis and the Krebs cycle to quickly produce a very large amount of ATP. Fat is metabolized by a different enzyme system that produces ATP and oxygen free radicals at a slower rate than glycolysis. When you produce energy (ATP), you also produce exhaust in the form of Oxygen free radicals. These free radicals are the exhaust of cellular respiration. The free radicals have unpaired electrons and look to combine and oxidize the cell.

This process is what is thought to be the causation of Aging.

Oxygen Free radicals damage DNA and are partitioned from the DNA by the Nuclear Membrane. The Nuclear mem-

The ECS communicates using two main protein receptors or antennae, the CB-1 and CB-2 receptors.

The following diagram below shows the protein structure of CB1 and CB2 receptors in human tissue. The shaded area represents the cell membrane with the extracellular portion of the receptor on top and the intracellular portion below. Each dot represents a different amino acid in the protein chain. Each amino acid has a different charge that shapes the protein. The shape of the protein determines which signaling chemical binds to it.

The charges on the proteins and shape of the receptor antenna bind with the chemical messenger and function like a lock and key. Only cannabinoids bind to cannabinoid receptors.

Anandamide and 2AG (2-arachidonoylglycerol) are two lipidsignaling molecules that the body makes (endogenous) and attach to the CB-1 and CB-2 receptor proteins. These lipid messenger molecules are oxidized fatty acids and classified as Eicosanoids.

braneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sole purpose is to separate the DNA from the toxic products of cellular respiration that occur in the cytoplasm.

CB-1 receptor stimulation controls glucose metabolism and CB-2 stimulation controls Lipid metabolism. This generalization is due to feedback control be-

Cannabis Digest • Spring 2016

tween the two systems. The control of metabolism also determines all other functions of the cell including cell division and cell differentiation. By altering and controlling metabolism, you can alter how the cell differentiates into any of the three tissue layers of the body. (Endoderm, Mesoderm, Ectoderm) Nerve cells have more CB-1 receptors because they use glucose metabolism exclusively and don’t rely on fatty metabolism.

The heart lacks significant numbers of CB-1 receptors because it burns fat as a primary fuel source. Hematopoietic cells or bloodline cells have more CB-2 receptors and lower metabolic requirements.

Different types of cells need different types of energy. What works for some cells would be toxic to other specialized cells.

Bones need less energy than muscle and muscle needs less energy than nerve cells. Manipulation of concentrations and types of cannabinoid receptors on a cell will therefore change the rate and type of metabolism that the cell needs. All enzyme activity is directly related to the rate of metabolism!

shortages and environmental instability, thereby prolonging life.

will require blockage of one of Metabolism and the Rate the cannabinoid receptors and of Aging can be controlled stimulation of the other for sucMany mammals can hibernate by manipulation of the ECS. cessful treatment. and there are 4 stages.

Stem cell differentiation is Evolution has forced organcontrolled by the ECS; by maDeep hibernation (also known isms to alter their metabolism as Topor) The animal low- nipulating metabolism you can to survive. The ECS or Endoers its respiration, heart rate control cell division and cell dif- cannabinoid Signaling System and temperature and does not ferentiation. Organs and even is the control system that allows drink, eat, urinate or defecate. limbs may be regrown by this homeostatic control of metabotechnique. lism and physiology.

Walking hibernation- Food Manipulation of the Endois scarce in springtime and Without a functioning ECS; caloric intake is minimal. cannabinoid Signaling System Life is not possible in changing (ECS) will have clinical appli- environments.

Green-up stage- Food is plen- cation for rapidly-dividing cells tiful in summer and the animal (Cancer cells, Bacteria and inCannabis must be taken off gorges itself to increase white fat. fectious organisms). of schedule one classification (no medical use) to allow unThe Endocannabinoid Signal- restricted scientific and medical Pre-hibernation- Food supplies dwindle and the animal ing System is involved in every study of this new science. may sleep for the majority of the biological function and disease state studied to date. Certainly 24-hour period. all age-related disease states can David B. Allen M.D. In the pre-hibernation stage, be controlled by manipulation Cali215doc@gmail.com of the ECS. Some disease states the animal changes its metabolism to burn more white fat and less glucose, ramping up the metabolic machinery to burn fatty stores almost exclusively.

Animals died off if they couldn’t stand the evolutionary pressure of the severe cold environment. Only animals with the ability to lower their metabolic rate and live off of fat stores There is good evidence that could survive these harsh enviCannabinoid receptors are not ronments. just located on the cell wall, but are also present in sub-cellular Changing metabolic substrates positions. CB-1 receptors have not only allows survival, it also been located on the membrane provides control of cell differenof Mitochondria and are respon- tiation. sible for controlling the rate of respiration and energy producCurrently there are many clinition of the mitochondria. Chang- cal trials to investigate control of ing concentrations of functional stem cell differentiation that use CB-1 receptors changes oxygen stem cells to treat Myocardial consumption and energy pro- Infarctions, Strokes, Diabetes duction of the mitochondria. and a host of other maladies.

Nerve tissue requires glucose (sugar) for nerve conduction.

Rapidly-dividing cell populations also need glucose in order to produce energy quickly enough to make proteins required for cell division. This is an Epiphany!

Controlling glucose metabolism controls the rate of growth of all rapidly dividing cells including bacteria and cancer cells.

Cardiopoiesis Stem Cell therapy is a term to describe a new procedure where a patient’s own bone marrow is induced to grow stem cells that differentiate into beating heart cells. These beating heart cells or myocytes are grown in tissue culture and can then be injected directly into the site of myocardial infarction to repair dead muscle. Cardiopoiesis, although experimental, is but a glimpse of the direction in which the discovery of the ECS will take the practice of medicine.

Hibernation is one of the most extreme examples of adaptability and homeostasis. Hibernation is a state of suspended animation.

The implications of these findIt is the ability to adapt to food ings are as follows.

Issue Number 48

www.CannabisDigest.ca

Athletes Fight Back Controversy Rages around Cannabis Use in Professional Sport

Diaz’s suspension was reduced player will automatically regto 18 months and his fine to ister a positive test and be en$100,000. tered confidentially into the NFL’s two-stage drug proNFL star Chandler Jones of gram. A failure to comply to a the New England Patriots al- treatment plan would lead to a legedly had a bad reaction to three-game fine and entrance synthetic cannabinoids days into stage two. An inability to before the AFC Divisional complete the drug rehab plan Championship game. He ar- in stage two would result in a rived at his local police station four-game suspension. With in the morning, half-naked, that type of punishment one disoriented and seeking help. can understand why an NFL player would rather take synSynthetic cannabinoids are thetic cannabinoids and risk an artificial chemical sprayed the dangers of a chemical that on to a dried plant material. isn’t banned.

Jason Heit It gives users feelings of relaxNo NFL player has ever rehen will the sports ation, elation, delusions and governing bodies recognize medical marijuana as an alternative to prescription painkillers? Failed drug tests for marijuana consumption have been a consistent problem in sports. Sports leagues and governing bodies like the NFL, NBA, UFC, Athletic Commissions, World Antidoping Association, International Olympic Committee and many more have all had athletes fail drug tests for marijuana. It’s time for the sports bodies to stop the punishment and shaming of athletes using medical marijuana. Give them altered perception. However, ceived an exemption to use a medical exemption if they synthetic cannabinoids can marijuana for medicinal purchoose to use marijuana as an also lead to psychosis, anxi- poses. According to the Naety, confusion, paranoia and tional Organization for the alternative medicine. hallucinations. Those factors Reform of Marijuana Laws Are they afraid of the ig- strongly suggest that synthetic (NORML) 23 states in the norant, outdated stigma of usage triggered Jones’ behav- United States allow doctors to prescribe medical marijuana, the reefer madness era? Are ior.” but the NFL still doesn’t perthey not compassionate about So why was Chandler Jones, mit it for medical use. the pain and injuries athletes have? Do they not realize how reportedly using it days before A movement of former playharmful prescription pain- the NFL’s AFC championship killers can be? Do they think game? Why would he indulge ers is pushing the NFL to almarijuana is performance en- in a synthetic substance in- low usage of medical marihancing? It’s time for them stead of real marijuana? Was juana as an alternative. These to acknowledge marijuana for he consuming synthetic can- players have expressed how nabinoids because he is deal- they found recovery for their the medicine it is. ing with known injuries he has bodies easier with medical marijuana.

There is overwhelming sci- suffered this season? entific evidence of medicinal Under the league’s drug polFormer Chicago Bear’s Sumarijuana for treatment of pain and inflammation that icy, NFL players are banned perbowl winning quarterback is ignored by the governing sports bodies. Unfortunately this leaves athletes looking for painkillers and anti-inflammatories in a dangerous place where prescription painkillers are all too accessible.

W

nick-diaz-marijuanamemesFailing a drug test for marijuana can have a detrimental affect on an athlete.

Nick Diaz failed his drug tests at UFC 183 on Jan. 31, 2015.

Diaz was suspended from competition for five years and fined $165,000. Diaz says he has been prescribed medical marijuana to help deal with his ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). After an outpouring of support

from taking marijuana but not synthetic cannabinoids otherwise known as spice. Players are drug tested from April 20 to August 9. If their blood or urine tests past 35 ng/ml, a

Jim McMahon is prescribed medical marijuana to treat arthritis and chronic pain. He was recently interviewed by ABC’S Ron Magers. McMahon says fighting pain has

17

been a constant battle since his playing days.

“Back then it was painkillers.

I played my whole career on painkillers. I was using about 100 Percocet’s a month when I retired and I knew I had to get off that stuff. I’ve had 18 surgeries so pretty much everything on me hurts. I had a broken neck at some point in my career and nobody told me about it. So I’m lucky to be walking,” McMahon said.

He had good reasons for the high use of painkillers, but says: “I quit all that cold turkey and I moved out to Arizona and I got my medical marijuana license.”

McMahon says he not only has found relief, but marijuana is now the only drug he uses to control the pain.

“I don’t smoke all day long you know. It’s usually in the morning. Mornings are rough trying to get up out of bed,” he said. “It’s been quite a few years so I don’t feel it impairs me at all. I can still function, still talk to people, do whatever I got to do.”

“It’s a lot easier on my body and I can get through the day without a problem. It doesn’t have any side effect. You don’t get constipated, you don’t get woozy and feeling weird. For me, it works,” McMahon said.

If the NFL changed its stance on medicinal marijuana would we see a reduction in their issues with painkillers? Could medical marijuana have prevented the tragedy of Tyler Sash of the New York Giants? Sash was found dead at his home on Sept. 8. 2105 The Iowa State Medical Examiner’s office found he died from an accidental overdose after mixing two powerful pain medications. A history of painful injuries was a contributing factor. He died at age 27.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on average, 44 people in the U.S. die every day from an overdose of opioid prescription painkillers. This is more than the number of deaths from heroin and cocaine combined.

Players have come forward saying they are forced by their teams to take prescription painkillers. Over 1,300 former players have filed a lawsuit against the NFL claiming that the league obtained and administered the drugs illegally

Cannabis Digest • Spring 2016

without prescriptions and failed to warn players about potential side effects, all in order to expedite the return of injured players to the field and generate the highest possible profits.

Marijuana is much safer than NFL-allowed prescription painkillers and very effective. Cannabis has 20 times

the anti-inflammatory power of aspirin and 2 times more then hydrocortisone. The psychoactive component of marijuana- THC can be removed if desired. One can still receive the painkilling and anti-inflammatory properties of the plant without being high if they choose.

“Cannabinoid receptors, unlike opioid receptors, are not located in the brainstem areas controlling respiration, lethal overdoses from Cannabis and cannabinoids do not occur.”

combinations of prescription painkillers its time for sports leagues and governing bodies to evolve. Its time to throw out outdated judgments, accept the facts and allow medical marijuana exemptions. AthLeafscience.com further ex- letes like everyone else should plains that; “Marijuana and be able to have the option of opioids affect different pathways of the body. Opioid pathways, also known as receptors,

are present in areas of the brain that control breathing.

As a result, taking too many painkillers can cause a person to stop breathing. But marijuana acts on a completely different set of pathways. These pathways are called cannabinoid receptors and they do not affect respiration. Thus, marijuana cannot cause someone to According to the National stop breathing, no matter how Cancer Institute it is not pos- much they ingest.” sible to overdose on Cannabis.

And here’s why: With the high risk of overdoses, addiction, and toxic

choosing a safer medicine.

References available in online version w w w. C a n n a b i s D i g e s t . c a

Issue Number 48

www.CannabisDigest.ca

Gardens Get Court Gives Health Canada Six

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ithin months of taking power, the Liberal Government and the new Health Canada received a strong statement from the courts on the subject of medical cannabis: Leave patients alone.

In recent cases regarding cannabis, judges across Canada have been sending some very clear messages to the federal government. Starting with the Owen Smith victory at the Supreme Court of Canada last June 11, which legalized cannabis extracts, and ending recently with the Allard victory, which protects patient gardens, the government’s attempts to justify prohibition are being shown to be backed by little actual evidence of the harms they have claimed this plant causes. With the Liberals still wanting to punish cannabis users while they plan how to legalize, we can expect the courts to continue to strike down cannabis laws.

The most recent major blow to prohibition came on Feb 24, 2016, when a huge wave of relief swept across the country after Judge Phelan, in the Federal Court of Canada, handed down a ruling protecting patient gardens. In 2014, a new medical cannabis program, the Marijuana for Medical Purposes Regulations, was established by Health Canada, replacing the Medical Marijuana Access Regulations, established in 2001, which had allowed patients to grow their own medicine. Justice Phelan’s ruling gives the federal government 6 months to create regulations that will once again give patients with doctor’s approval the right to grow cannabis. “[282] I agree that the Plaintiffs have, on a balance of probabilities, demonstrated that cannabis can be produced safely and securely with limited risk to public safety and consistently with the promotion of public health. “ Lead lawyer John Conroy and his team deserve great praise for their hard work preparing witnesses to provide testimony, and for doing such a brilliant job challenging the evidence provided by the crown. It is clear reading the decision that the defence team of patients and experts did a much better job than the crown in presenting their evidence. Considering the fact that this is one of the most important decisions in the history of Canadian drug law, this should be considered a crowning achievement for Mr Conroy in a long career of successful litigation.

For many, this is essentially a life or death decision, something the judge clearly understood. “[276] Further, those who are unable to afford LP prices will continue to be placed in a position where they have to choose between their liberty and their health.

Patient health will be negatively impacted if they are unable to access sufficient amounts of the medicine.”

The judge did not accept Health Canada’s argument that the new program is better for patients, nor does he agree that the risks of allowing patients to grow their own medicine are so great that it should be prohibited. “[253] Overall, viewed from the different perspectives, the law is arbitrary as the limits it imposes on section 7 interests bear no rational connection to its objective. Considering the Plaintiffs’ situations, the MMPR does not reduce risk to their health and safety, nor does it improve their access to cannabis.

drugs. It is not regulated through the FDA drug approval process and is not subject to the controls on safety and efficacy.”

While this decision is a great victory for patients, caregivers and dispensaries, the Licensed Producers that have been working with Health Canada and the restrictive MMPR are going to suffer.

Since the beginning of the new program, these companies have built their future upon having a tight grip on the supply of cannabis as medicine. Health Canada has done everything possible to get out of the medical cannabis business and download its responsibilities to these companies, promising them huge financial rewards for compliance.

In his decision, Justice Phelan makes it clear that Health Canada’s complaints

[260] The evidence establishes that the great majority of patients were able to produce their own cannabis as medicine without any threat to their own health and safety or that of the public.

It follows that the limitation on their rights is not connected to the objective of protecting public safety and health.“ In fact the judge rips apart the crown’s so-called experts, “[101] Many “expert” witnesses were so imbued with a belief for or against marihuana - almost a religious fervour - that the Court had to approach such evidence with a significant degree of caution and scepticism.

[108] Bearing in mind these principles, the evidence of some of the “experts” on both sides will be given little or no weight. Some had their evidence shredded in cross-examination; this was particularly true of some of the Defendant’s non-technical “experts”.”

Following the unanimous decision by the Supreme Court of Canada last year in the Smith decision regarding cannabis extracts, Justice Phelan recognizes that the federal government has not followed generally accepted regulatory procedures to control cannabis, instead creating unique regulations that have struggled to be consistent with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. “[251] Additionally, despite the stated objective of treating medical marihuana as a medicine, the MMPR does not treat marihuana for medical purposes in the same way as other psychoactive

that the MMAR costs too much money to inspect and regulate patient gardens hold little weight in court. “[252] Taking the evidence in comparison to the objective of the MMPR outlined in the RIAS, the only consequence of the MMPR remaining largely unchallenged is that of government cost savings. The regulatory cost burden has significantly been transferred to the LPs. Cost savings, while a legitimate policy goal, cannot, in this case, trump the plaintiffs’ Charter rights and form a Charter-compliant justification for the MMPR.”

Cannabis Digest • Spring 2016

Green Light Months to Re-Write the Rules

By Ted Smith

those who hope they will simply reenact the old MMAR and run it parallel to the MMPR, to those who think an entirely new program will be created, one that even includes dispensaries, to the skeptics who worry that new restrictions will be placed on plant counts and designated growers. At this point Health Canada has not indicated what they will do, though it is unlikely they will try to include storefront operations so quickly. However, with so much pressure from cities, judges, patients “[162] Although dispensaries were and the media, there is a faint hope not a focus of the parties’ submissions, that a complete, practical program will I find Ms. Shaw’s evidence to be ex- come into effect one day. tremely important as dispensaries are at the heart of cannabis access.

Lawyer Kirk Tousaw, who represented Owen Smith before the Supreme [163] Although not legal under any Court of Canada and worked on the past or previous medical marihuana Allard trial as well, acknowledges, “The regulations, current trends in dispen- medical declaration used in the MMPR sary growth suggest a connection be- does contain a daily dosage.” However tween the restrictions to access under he goes on to say, “I don't think it is fair the MMPR and the need for patients to conclude now that the government to obtain their medical marihuana from will create hard caps on plant counts. illicit sources.” They may, or they may not. Remember that the injunction lasts until further Order of the Court so if Justice Phelan doesn't like their solution he can just keep the injunction going.”

Compassion clubs are also sharing in this victory today. Past president of the Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries, Jamie Shaw, testified at the trial, and it seems her words were taken very seriously by Justice Phelan. Since most dispensaries are supplied by patients or their caregivers previously licensed under the MMAR, this ruling will ensure a safe and constant supply.

For those patients unable to grow legally in the last few years due to moving or other complications, the six month wait until there is a new program in place will seem like a very, very long time. Patients recently diagnosed are also eager to grow their own medicine as soon as possible. A large number of patients that had licences under the MMAR lost their gardens for various reasons since the MMPR was announced 3 years ago, and their health and finances have suffered.

Speculation about how the government will respond by August 24 ranges from

In tandem with restructuring the medical cannabis program, the federal government is slowly working towards legalizing cannabis for everyone. However, with the appointment of former Toronto chief of police Bill Blair to head the task force on legalization, the Liberals have not impressed the cannabis community so far. It is estimated that over 24,000 people have been arrested for possession of cannabis between the time the Liberals were elected and the printing of this newspaper.

In a radio interview with Reaon Ford of News 1130 on March 1, 2016 the new Prime Minister was straight-forward when asked if the government was going to continue to make arrests up until the last day the law was on the books.

“I think decriminalization is a bad idea because it doesn’t do anything to make it more difficult for young people to access it and it doesn’t do anything in terms of keeping the black market and the criminal organizations from profiting from it,” Trudeau replied. “That’s why I believe in control and regulation that actually will do the protection of For many, the crux of the matter is public safety and of minors that we whether the government will allow need. And in the meantime, it’s still ilcaregivers to continue to grow medi- legal.” cine for those unable to grow their own, or will force bedridden patients Arresting people until the last minute to purchase from Licensed Producers. might sound appealing to the law enIn the opinion of Kirk, “I do think it forcement community, but any reasonwould be reasonable for Health Can- able person can see the government is ada, if it permits Designated Growers totally out of line with this plan. Hopeand particularly DGs that supply mul- fully judges will soon start tossing out tiple patients, to require that producer possession cases, as it is absurd to think to obtain a municipal business license. people are being so harshly punished That would, in turn, require adherence for something they will soon be able to to municipal codes, bylaws, zoning, etc., buy at Shoppers Drug Mart. and would also take the inspection burden (to the extent that was real) off of While the government’s plan to legalHC. I don't think patients with a per- ize cannabis seems to be taking a long sonal license should have to get busi- time to happen, it is clear that judges ness licenses, obviously, since they are are not going to allow patients to suffer not in business.” without access to their medicine. The historic Allard decision will ensure that Ultimately, the government has a lot to patients can grow their own cannabis at consider in this situation so it is impor- home for all time. When Health Cantant that they hear from patients and ada reintroduces regulations that allow others knowledge in this field so they people to grow their own medicine, you create reasonable regulations that ben- can expect the biggest wave of trucks efit everyone. Sitting back and com- to the hydroponic store that you have plaining does not help, according to ever seen.

Kirk. “I think people need to be writing the Health Minister to say what we want. I plan to. My thoughts currently Read the Decision Online at: are that I will advocate that the MMPR and MMAR both be options, and that http://cas-cdc-www02.cas-satj.gc.ca/ in the MMAR the limit on aggregating rss/T-2030-13%20reasons%2024-02licences and having DGs only supply 2016%20(ENG).pdf two patients be scrapped.”

Issue Number 48

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GrassRoots developments Cannabis Conventions Build A Brighter Future

the beautiful Westin Bayshore hotel in downtown Vancouver.

Having so much more conference time to network and share stories will no doubt make this a rich experience.

According to Salimeh, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The focus this year will be on deepening the dialogue on the medicinal benefits of cannabis, as well as the environmental and humanitarian re-evolution that is possible with the support of this magnificent plant. Never before has there been such a wealth of information and reTed Smith search on the practical, therapeutic and medicinal uses of Cannabis, as well as a growing e are entering the most understanding and acceptance exciting era of the Canadian cannabis culture; there has never been a more important time to network and share our knowledge of this incredible plant. Last summer I had the pleasure of speaking at an awesome conference in Vancouver hosted by the Conscious Living Network, and I am very happy to announce it will be even bigger and better this year!

With an incredible lineup of speakers and intriguing debate format, this conference should be the highlight of the summer for cannabis enthusiasts. of Cannabis on the part of the Organizer Salimeh Tabrizi general public. â&#x20AC;? With so much has once again gone out of her to cover, it will take 2 days to way to make sure this premier allow people to take advantage event will never be forgotten by of all of the knowledge that will those in attendance. She is a be shared.

Registered Clinical Counsellor and her gentle spirit and keen Several of the keynote speakintellect are reflected in the ers have been instrumental in thoughtful details and colour- the developments that have lead ful displays. towards legalization. For many the most interesting speaker Last year, the conference will no doubt be Dr. Lumir brought together speakers who Hanus, the ground-breaking shared their knowledge on the scientist who helped lead the medicinal, historical, sacred discovery of the Endocannabiand ceremonial use of the med- noid System (ECS). While icine as well as on governmen- there is a great deal more to tal policy and public activism. discover about the ECS, what The conference also honoured we know so far about the inter10 conscious dispensaries and actions between cannabis and 11 other cannabis businesses the human body has astounded keen to show their wares. It the medical profession and acwas an interesting mix of activ- tivists alike. It will be fascinatists, businesspeople, and intel- ing to learn more about how lectuals. Having attended doz- the ECS was discovered and ens of cannabis conventions, what Dr Hanus and his team including many of my own, I have learned since. would have to say that this was one of the most organized and Also speaking will be internawell set-up events of this type tionally-acclaimed author Marin which I have ever been in- tin A. Lee; he will be speaking volved. on the CBD panel. With his book, Smoke Signals, in hand, This year, the 2016 Canna- Mr. Lee will share his wealth bis and Hemp Conference will of experience with the cannabis also have Jay Martin and his plant from around the world. wonderful team at Cambridge House International working The conference is also very on the event with Salimeh. It pleased to be joined by Dr. will be a much bigger scale event Paul Hornby. A world recogthis year, with a two day con- nized expert and scientist who ference on July 9th and 10th at

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has profiled over 15,000 different strains using HPLC technology, Dr Hornby has been a pioneer in the development of cannabis medicines in Vancouver. We have had the pleasure of hosting him in Victoria at several lectures and conventions where he has taught us the secrets of decarboxylation and extracting cannabinoids and terpenes from the plant.

Historian Chris Bennett will be in attendance again this year, as he is truly the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading authority on the historical uses of cannabis. With three books about the history of cannabis, the latest being Cannabis and the Soma Solution, Chris con-

tains a library of material in his head, and can quickly fill your head with colourful imagery of past cannabis fields. He has also appeared at many Hempology 101 conferences in the past, as I consider him the equivalent of Charles Darwin.

In total there will be 12 panel discussions, covering a broad range of subjects. Participants can expect to hear about the medicinal uses of cannabis, including information about CBD , genetics and cultivation techniques, and why doctors have increasingly embraced medical cannabis as a powerful plant in treating such potentially devastating diseases as cancer and epilepsy. There will be a debate about the roles that dispensaries and Licensed Producers will play in the new legal scheme. There will also be conversations about various models of legalization either real, as in places like the US, or hypothetical. Other topics to be considered are how Cannabis can be de-stigmatized in the mainstream medical community, and how we can implement a public health approach to cannabis legalization.

Other speakers will look into the the ways in which hemp is used for nutrition, fuel, textiles, and building materials. With so many potential uses of hemp,

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more farmers are interested in growing it, especially since educated consumers are buying more hemp products every year. The growing techniques of potent cannabis operations will also be on the agenda, as everyone wants to see sustainable environmental practices balanced with healthy products.

A panel will be organized for experts to share their understanding of the sacred aspects of cannabis use, both historical and current, including ancient religious practices and ceremonies that have survived Christianity and time itself. The cannabis lifestyle will be analyzed and dissected for all to see and hear. No cannabis stone will be left untouched by the end of this weekend of all-star activists.

Seriously, the list of people already confirmed is top-notch and others are still possibly coming. This includes the fantastic lawyer Kirk Tousaw, who represented Owen Smith in his huge victory at the Supreme Court of Canada last year and worked with John Conroy on the recently successful Allard decision which protected patient gardens. Then there will be Marc and Jodie Emery, who need no introduction to anyone reading this paper. Legend Dana Larson will also be on hand to bring everyone up-todate on his campaigns, with his new book, Cannabis in Canada The Illustrated History in hand.

Hemp specialist Andrea Hermann will be here from the prairies ready to share her almost 2 decades of experience in the hemp field. Plus, past president of the Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries, Jamie Shaw will be there, along with Dieter MacPherson (Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club) and Dori Dempster (Vancouver Medical Cannabis Dispensary) to keep everyone up-to-date on the changing situation with storefront cannabis operations on the west coast.

Author Stephen Gray, who is currently writing his highly anticipated book, Cannabis and Spirituality: An Explorer's Guide to the Revival of an Ancient Ally, to be published this winter by Inner Traditions/ Park Street Press, will be present. Stephen is also the coorganizer of the Spirit Plant Medicine Conference, which has been held at the University of British Columbia for the past five years. He will be joined

by Mark Haden, who is the

Cannabis Digest • Spring 2016

Chair of the Board of MAPS Canada (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies). He has published on the issue of drug control policy in the following Journals: Canadian Journal of Public Health, International Journal of Drug Policy, Encyclopaedia of Public Health, Harm Reduction Journal, and Open Medicine. Mark has worked for the addiction services for 28 years and currently works with the Health Officers Council of British on their position papers on the issue of a regulated market for all currently illegal drugs. Zach Walsh and M-J Milloy will be also be ready with lots of current information from studies being done at UBC and around the world.

Other esteemed speakers include Josh Rettie (Plant Builder), Symentha Heartt (Hemp Queen), Natasha Ryz (Cannabis and the Gut) and Jon Page (Cannabis Genetics). More details about the speakers, entertainment and other guests will be made available as they are confirmed.

able to attend last year. “The Vancouver cannabis conference was a ‘coming home’ for me, connecting with old friends and new alike, while exploring British Columbia’s finest cannabis providers in a safe, inclusive, engaging, inspiring, collaborative, supportive and compassionate environment.` At this years conference, `I will be sharing my intentions, experiences, and techniques for growing Cannabis as a sacred plant medicine and the benefits of developing a conscious relationship with these highly revered plants in any growing condition- be it personal or commercial, indoor or outdoor.”

With such an incredible collection of academics, activists and entrepreneurs this conference will no doubt be the premier cannabis event in Vancouver. Anyone seriously interested in getting involved in this industry should be in attendance; for those already employed in the fastest growing sector in the economy, it’s a must. Never before has such a large, powerful group of cannabis fighters gathered together under one roof for two days to hash out the future of the mighty herb.

Finally, one of the presenters will be Selena Ashley Wong from The Flower of Life Compassion Club Society will be presenting for her first time at Find More Information at the conference, though she was vancouvercannabisconference.com

Issue Number 48

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Cannabis Digest • Spring 2016

Do You Need a Toke, Man? Why your body may be falling apart without cannabis

Owen Smith

(Diagram of Endocannabinoid activity)

(This article previously appeared nizing process that is creatively at Canlio.com) adjusting to the flow of energy it is subjected to by the environment. He explains how cannabin a previous article for Can- noids assist us from birth until lio.com I explained the ba- death to maintain homeostasis sics of cannabinoids and the en- as we undergo various perturbadocannabinoid system. As with tions in biochemical flow. any subject that is both new and complex, various theories are Melamede suggests that this being explored by researchers regulatory mechanism is more seeking to explain and exploit involved in our daily lives than cannabinoids for humanity’s we could have imagined. Mothbenefit. er’s milk contains endocannabinoids that assist the child with As we depart from a century of stress, promote appetite, and cannabinoid prohibition, there protect cells from oxidation. are emerging theories about how the absence of these com- When we eat, we create “reacpounds may have negatively af- tive oxygen species” or free radifected human health. cals to burn the food for fuel.

During life, our immune sysClinical Endocannabinoid De- tem addresses potential threats ficiency Syndrome (CEDS) was by creating these free radical proposed by Dr. Ethan Russo compounds. While protecting in 2004. CEDS began to be ex- us, free radicals create inflamplored as a potential underlying cause of an array of age-related illnesses, along with inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, depression, PTSD, bone loss, diabetes, acute or chronic pain, and cancer. It was also postulated that an overactive endocannabinoid system may be respon- mation that can cause damage sible for obesity (a theory which to the body. It is the role of didn’t pan out). our bodies’ endocannabinoids to regulate healing processes Dr. Robert Melamede, CEO of by controlling free radicals. Dr. Cannabis Science Inc., teaches Melamede refers to free radicals a course at the University of as the friction of life and endoColorado on endocannabinoids cannabinoids as the oil. and medical marijuana. I happened to bump into Dr. Mela- Endocannabinoids are engaged mede in the coffee shop at the in the balancing of forces: stimend of my street one sunny Dec. ulating our appetites while promorning in Victoria. He was tecting us against excitotoxicvisiting as a guest lecturer for ity and cell degradation. These Greenline Academy, who held balancing compounds and their their conference at the Univer- corresponding biological syssity of Victoria later that day. tem have existed for over 600 The $350 price tag deterred me million years in all vertebrate from attending, but fortunately species since the sea squirt. Dr. the full lecture by Dr. Mela- Melamede points out that our mede was available for free on biological thermostat was set in Greenlines’ website. It is now our evolutionary past and, now only available by request. that in the modern world our environment is rapidly changHe derives his understanding ing, we need an agent that will from his background in modern facilitate this transition. Twenmolecular biology and ‘far from tieth-century medicine has sucequilibrium’ thermodynamics, ceeded in extending the lifeswhich deals with natural sys- pan of the average person, and tems that change over time, en- now medicines for age-related gulfed in the flux of matter and illnesses are required. energy, amidst other systems and chemical reactions. He pro- A great deal of data suggests that poses that life is a self-orga-

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many problems associated with aging stem from the inability of an organism to protect itself against free-radical induced inflammation and oxidative stress.

Cardiovascular, autoimmune, neurological disorders and cancers are all thought to have free radicals as a causative agent. By binding up these free radicals, antioxidants can minimize the plaque formation cycle associated with the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Accordingly, several studies have shown that CBD blocks Alzheimer’s plaque formation by a cannabinoidreceptor-independent mechanism.

Cannabinoids assist with the neurotransmission involved in learning. Dr. Melamede recites studies that were performed on mice in tanks of water where a platform was suspended just

Their f indings also indicate that “reductions in [the endocannabinoid] AEA promotes retention of aversive emotional memories”

below the water’s surface. The mice swam around until they found the platform. Some of the mice had their cannabinoid receptors blocked and others did not. When the platform was moved, the blocked mice were incapable of leaving the original platform’s location and drowned.

Similarly, experiments with cannabinoid receptor blocker drugs to counteract appetite have been disastrous failures. Rimonabant was designed to block the CB1 receptor in an attempt to pro-

duce the “reverse munchies” effect. It was released in France as an appetite suppressant named Acomplia, only to be withdrawn from the market due to potentially serious side effects. It was rejected by the U.S. F.D.A. for causing anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Clinical endocannabinoid deficiency is still being considered as a possible cause for some treatmentresistant conditions, including migraine, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome.

A study out of the University of Calgary explored PTSD among people who were exposed to the World Trade Centre attack on September 11th, 2001. They examined two groups of similar individuals, the only difference being that the members of one group were suffering from PTSD and the other were not.

The researchers found that the group who were suffering from PTSD had a lower baseline level of the endocannabinoid 2-AG circulating throughout their bodies. Their findings also indicate that “reductions in [the endocannabinoid] AEA promotes retention of aversive emotional memories”.

We make endocannabinoids out of essential fatty acids, which we have to ingest through the food that we eat. There are many sources of EFA’s, but Hemp seeds are a single source that provides the optimal balance of EFA’s for absorption by the human body. For the long period of history in which hemp seed was part of our regular diet, it would not have been sterilized of THC content as it is today.

A daily bowl of hemp porridge would have provided EFA’s and low levels of phytocannabinoids.

Relative to human history, modern cannabis prohibition has lasted only a fraction of our time on the planet. It has been condemned by countless authorities as a failure of social policy, an unenforceable, inhumane nightmare.

It is a terror that cannot end soon enough, our health may depend on it.

Issue Number 48

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Cannabis Digest • Spring 2016

Updates , Warnings and Suggestions monthly noon hour discussion at the downtown Victoria public library, on the of legalization of cannabis. Covering a wide range of issues, these Cannabis Conversations with Cam Birge will give cannabis friendly politicians, doctors, lawyers, professors, patients health-care professionals and industry leaders an opportunity to explain their positions. There is no charge for attendance; donations will be accepted at the door.

Ted Smith ell I may as well start W with the most important update. My love, Gayle

Quin, is still with us and will be celebrating her 59th birthday on April 16. Although she was sent home to die over 500 days ago, thanks to volumes of cannabis oils that friends have donated to her, and to love, magnetic energy and other treatments, she is still struggling to stay with us. While she has not been out of bed for 8 months, her determination to fight the cancer and enjoy life are an inspiration to me and to everyone else who knows her.

It has been frustrating to withdraw from my activism during the most exciting time of my career but this is what fate has handed us. In order to stay focused on looking after my love, I am turning down many opportunities to speak or party. Knowing that there is so much momentum towards a brighter future means a great deal to us, but I cannot carry as much weight as I once did.

At the University of Victoria, a small dedicated crew has helped keep the weekly Weds 420 meetings happening through the school year. The UVSS Hempology 101 club does not meet in the summer, but will be back in full swing in September. Not too sure what is happening with the UBC Hempology 101 Club, as it is totally independant from us now, but I understand it is now bigger and more active than ever, and do not doubt it will be In June we are hosting picup to something this summer. nics to celebrate the anniversary of Owen Smith’s big win at April is going to be a very the Supreme Court of Canada. busy month. Of course, right There is a substantial article in after Gayle’s birthday we have the paper about why we have the April 20 festivities to man- moved International Medical age. Since 1998 we have helped Marijuana Day to June 11, so organize a big smoke-in at I will spare you by not repeatCity Hall in downtown Victo- ing the facts. It is very exciting ria, with close to 2,000 coming to be attempting to establish an out for the last couple of years. international cannabis holiday.

Weather permitting, we expect about the same size crowd this Of course we will also be year, though it seems we have hosting a 420 on the front steps more to celebrate than ever. of the Victoria Courthouse on July 1. We will play our unique April 20 events are expect- game show, REACH FOR ed across the country in many THE POT, and hotbox the places that have not dared to try front steps of the courthouse. It them before. The largest 420 in will be interesting to see if sethe country is moving from the curity and the police try to haVancouver Art Gallery to Sun- rass us about being there again, set Beach, as the old space is but we will certainly be ready under construction. Hopefully for them. this will be the first year police do not bother people at these As for the VCBC, the AGM events, especially in small towns held in Jan was packed, with and cities where people have many members out to help the been afraid to smoke in public club grow and evolve. The votdue to tight law enforcement. ing for the board was very close.

Congratulations to Evan Lane Just a few days after, on April and Hillary Marks for join24, I will be running in the ing the board, and thank you Times Colonist 10K, wear- both for taking the time time ing Herb, the large mascot of to make our club a better place.

Hempology 101. This will be Also, a big thank you goes out the fourth time I have run a 10 to Rob and Joy Macintyre for km half-marathon in Herb, the their help on the board of dilast time doing it in just under rectors.

1 hour. It is early in morning but if you can get up and take a picture please send it to me asap, or better yet, join the crew at the bong hit station on Dallas Road.

However, this does not mean I am not busy. In fact, one of the ways I have tried to deal with this situation is by keeping busy. Otherwise I would just Then on May 12 the Interbe spending a lot of time at the end of Gayle’s bed wondering national Hempology 101 Society will be hosting its first what to do.

The potluck at the VCBC to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the club was a wonderful event. Many of the members came, and there was so much food leftover that we took a big pile to the homeless camp on the back lawn of the courts.

Sure has been an amazing 20 years.

Soon after the paper is printed the club is expected to start the first steps in getting a City of Victoria license to operate.

It is an awkward situation: we are happy to get a license, but fear the that new rules could force us to shut down the safe inhalation site, stop selling certain edible products, stop deliveries, stop allowing children in the club with their parents, and stop mail orders. Hopefully the city council will listen to our pleas and create rules that do not hurt patients.

We are also very happy to hear that Victoria is finally getting a vapor lounge. The Green Ceiling will be opening on Quadra St in April, giving tourists and locals a place to gather and enjoy the cannabis culture. Hopefully many more lounges will open soon.

If you are interested in helping with any of our events, feel free to attend our monthly board meetings. We hold them at the Beard Bros Society on Yates St at 7:30 pm on the first Tues of every month. Everyone welcome. Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em.

Issue Number 48

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

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

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

Beren and Swallow.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Article previously appeared at LiftCannabis.ca)

Cannabis Digest â&#x20AC;˘ Spring 2016

Issue Number 48

www.CannabisDigest.ca

“Hey, Let’s Put On A Show!”

29

The Story Of Ottawa’s First Weekly Marijuana-Themed Youtube Series form issues). There is even a read-through of the entirety of Mommy’s Funny Medicine; since I monetized the page in 2012, it has brought us anywhere from $100-$130 every 3-4 months since!

Although I have done stand up comedy on and off since 1995, my heart was always in sketch comedy. Monty Python’s Flying Circus and Kids

whose marijuana use was making their lives better than worse, and that they should be showcased in some sort of interview show. That is when the name “Pottawa” came to me, although I must admit that I might have seen the word “Pottawa” in an article about the unbelievable pothole situation in the Nation’s Capital area. But the word also struck me as poignant be-

Russel Barth or those unfamiliar with F my previous activism work, I make a lot of videos.

My Youtube page has over 370 videos, 1,782 subscribers, and it gets over 1,200 hits every day, with a total of over 3 million views. Almost all of those hits are the one video we have of my wife Christine Lowe having a grand-mal seizure.

I have one 30 minute playlist consisting of 49 small clips of me dressed as Jesus, crashing the 2012 Ottawa Pride Parade holding a sign that says: “Jesus ♥ Queers and Pot,” with a pot leaf where the “o” should be.

I have a 15-episode series called The Sneaky-Toker’s Guide To Ottawa, that shows over 17 discrete locations in the city where one might smoke a joint in relative peace. There is footage of me addressing the 4,000 person crowd at 420 Ottawa in 2012; of Christine and me handing out copies of our children’s book, Mommy’s Funny Medicine, in front of 11,000 people at 420 Ottawa 2013; and numerous commentary videos where I address a wide range of topics (but mostly marijuana-law re-

In The Hall are my biggest influences, though this is not really reflected in the videos on my page because we have no sketch comedy on it as of yet. Sketches require several people to act and to shoot the sketches properly, and as the entire cast and crew so far has been my wife and myself, no sketches, as such, have been produced. I have produced a few Gilliam-influenced animated pieces, however, and they can be found on the page at youtube.com/RussLBarth.

The idea for an ongoing weekly news-recap/interview show came to me in 2012, right after the 420 event on Parliament Hill. It occurred to me that there were more people

cause of journalists’ penchant for using puns in almost every single headline pertaining to marijuana issues. “Pot. Ottawa. Pottawa. Yeah, that could work.” I managed to get one interview done that spring, with 420 Ottawa 2012 organizers Graham Kittmer and

Claude Galipeau, but then I was stuck with the problem of having to come up with more people to interview, and in 2012 that field was pretty sparsely populated. I wanted people who were doing well in their fields to come forward and discuss their use of cannabis in a positive way. But most of the people I knew who used cannabis were either dealing with serious medical issues, or being very discreet about their use. The main problem, however, was where to shoot it. A home-based podcast, in my opinion, would have been a boring format to repeat week after week, even if I did have a number of potential interviewees with whom I could engage. I wanted a show that looked more like The Daily Show than the podcasts I have seen people issue from their offices or home studios.

However, I had neither the money or wherewithal to set anything up in my 544 square foot apartment. So the idea faded as quickly as it had come.

Then in April of 2015, BuzzOn opened, and we started spending some time there before they shut themselves down for renovations. They re-opened in October of that year, and we dropped by once or twice before the year ended.

Cannabis Digest • Spring 2016

Unlike Vapor Central in Toronto, BuzzOn did not have the infrastructure to conduct staged shows that we could broadcast: no cameras mounted to the ceiling, no stage lighting, and no desire on the part of the owners to spend a bunch of cash and effort on such a setup any time in the near future. I did discuss the idea of a weekly web-show with them in May, and they liked the idea, but were too busy dealing with things like ventilation, exit signs, lighting, and wheelchair accessibility to even consider moving into the broadcasting field.

In the first week of 2016 - after months of sticker shock at the grocery store - I realized that I needed to start coming up with at least $50 per month if I wanted to keep eating as healthy as I had been for all 30-some days of each month.

I put out some feelers to see if there would be anyone willing to sponsor such a show, and asked Pot TV if they would be willing to add me to their roster. I was not able, at the time, to find any Ottawa head shops willing to sponsor the show even though my introductory price for commercials was just $10 for a 5 second video blurb, and a 5 second still frame at the closing of the show. So I started asking the Canadian Marijuana Community at large if they would be interested, and many accepted the invitation - mainly compassion clubs in Toronto.

Next, I ran the idea past the guys at BuzzOn, and they liked it. I assured them we would not get in the way, and would be in and out inside of 90 minutes each Tuesday.

The next issue was getting guests to come to the venue.

Some wouldn’t be able to make it at the broadcast time, and some would have trouble getting to the venue at all. I realized that some of my interviews would have to be conducted “on location”. The

main obstacle, however, was technical. Who would I get to produce the show and handle the live-stream while I sat there being smart and charming on camera?

Enter Nathanael Newton.

His father is a somewhat wellknown pastor and anti-marijuana crusader in Cornwall, Ontario who has had some letters to the editor published.

But I actually met Nathanael through his Youtube page. He had been making time-lapse videos of 420 Ottawa since 2012 using the local cameras -

er than my own, we decided it would be better if Pottawa was more localized and under our own control. I spent the next few weeks lining up guests and chopping video to put together all the five second advertisements and opening and closing theme sequences. By February 16th, we were ready to go. We planned episode one as an introduction to the show, the venue, and the host, so we didn’t have a guest booked. Then the Great Blizzard Of 2016 hit: the largest dump of snow Ottawa had seen since 1912. It made

and we are making constant improvements to the look, the sound, and the content. We have plans to do pre-recorded episodes at various locations, and to shoot pre-scripted sketch comedy bits and onthe-street interviews with random people. And of course, we plan to interview every marijuana activist in the area as time and scheduling allows.

Ottawa U law professor Eugene Oscapella will be interviewed on an upcoming show, as will many of the operators of the area’s new compassion clubs, including Weeds, which is just a few doors east of BuzzOn. And we will have a special episode about Ottawa’s 420-2016 gathering on Parliament Hill on April 26th.

All in all, it has been a rewarding adventure, if for no other reason than Christine and I are getting out of the house for something more social than groceries. But there has been enthusiasm around the idea, and - because we wanted, from the beginning, to make it a group show and not simply me ranting for 30 minutes - we expect it to grow into something better as the weeks go on.

The Hill Cam on the internet - showing the crowd assemble, let off a cloud of smoke, and disperse, compressing 3 hours of activity into roughly 30 seconds of footage. We became Facebook friends and talked sporadically until he moved to Ottawa in November of 2015.

Tracy Lamourie of Lamourie Public Relations was brought in to drum up publicity and maybe some sponsors and guests, and with the team in place, we announced the show on Facebook and Twitter in late January. About two weeks later, we decided that it would be best for our show if we didn’t broadcast on Pot TV’s Youtube page as we had originally planned, but rather go it alone on my monetized page. Though Pot TV’s subscription numbers were high-

traveling to and from the cafe tricky, but we made it. We had no idea where in the lounge to set up, how the lighting would look, or how smooth the show would go.

Each episode has been a bit better than the one before it,

Issue Number 48

www.CannabisDigest.ca

Cannabis Digest • Spring 2016

Appropriate Hazard Control Insurers Move to Include Cannabis Businesses of the contract.” Group benefits are often seen as one of the most fair and equitable ways of compensating employees, and many organizations seek out benefits plans to provide stability and security to their employees.

Courtland Sandover-Sly

It might be said that the key test of an industry’s viability is its insurability. If this is true, then the marijuana industry is certainly viable. Some of Canada’s largest insurers, such as Great-West Life and Hub International, have already moved

H

ey, you! Yes, you. Did you know that marijuana-related businesses qualify for employee benefits?

Or property and casualty insurance? Things sure are changing fast in Canada these days, and there are some important opportunities you should know about.

To answer the first question: Yes, companies in Canada have already obtained and put into force some of the first industryspecific group insurance plans in the world. Insurance advisors are now working with MJ businesses in ways previously unthinkable. Health and dental coverage, critical illness protection, life insurance, and employee assistance programs are being offered to dispensaries, bakeries, mail-order services, and concentrate producers, both for-profit, and not-for-profit alike. Companies and charities that may have considered themselves uninsurable before are now finding a warm welcome from the insurance establishment. This industry-wide renaissance has created new stability and security for both the organizations and their employees.

What is a group benefits plan?

The uninitiated might remember a group benefits plan as what their parents used to reduce the cost of their childhood visits to the dentist, or the card that their grandparents pulled out when they bought prescriptions at the drug store. The GreatWest Life Assurance Company defines a group benefits plan as, “…an arrangement to share the financial risk of health-related expenses among a group of people who pay into a fund or pool, under one contract. With a group benefits plan, when a member of the group becomes ill or requires services, he or she is financially compensated by the plan, according to the terms

to offer their services to industry members. It is believed that Great-West was the first company in Canada to offer and place a group insurance contract with a marijuana-related company, outside of licensed producers under the current Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations (MMPR).

This company’s adaptive nature has positioned it to become the preeminent provider of employee benefits for the MJ industry.

One of the most interesting concepts in the field of group insurance to pop up lately has been the plan for individual employees to be able to purchase marijuana products with their group health coverage. “Wait!

What?” you might say. Yes, it is true. Employees covered under certain group insurance plans can use their coverage to purchase their medicinal marijuana. While there are some restrictions to this practice, they are certainly not very onerous.

Because medical marijuana still does not have a valid DIN (drug identification number) it is not an eligible drug under the prescription drug policy.

However, with the correct plan design, it can be covered with a physician’s prescription under Great-West Life’s Medical Reimbursement Plan or a health spending account. After the employee has consulted with a doctor and received a prescription to use marijuana for their ailments, the employee is able to purchase medicinal products

from the organization that they work for, thus reducing the cost of that plan for said organization. Many dispensary owners have already found value in this, and indeed, may find it to be the best part of their plan.

not to offer it to my employees.

It provides for a generally happier and better workplace when the employees know that you invest in them. ” Asked what he found the most valuable part of Baked Edibles plan to be, he replied, “The extra services, such as massage and chiropractic visits. Also, everybody uses their dental coverage.” The ability to offer such security to their employees is a blessing to many new entrepreneurs in the industry.

For organizations that have previously found themselves uninsurable, the difference is like night and day. They attract and retain employees, which helps minimize costs associated with high turnover. The organizations and their employees have access to insurance at a reduced As mentioned above, employee benefits are not the only form of insurance available to marijuana-related businesses. Isaac Greenwood operates a specialized marijuana insurance program called Cann-Assure, and has recently found his niche as an insurance broker to marijuana-related business all across Canada. Isaac has been working with entrepreneurs and existing businesses in the MJ industry to protect their places of business from hazards such as propcost, compared to most individ- erty damage. The package can ual insurance plans. The premi- include coverage for employee um they pay is tax deductible as liability issues that, in concert a business expense. They have with an employee benefits plan, helped improve morale and in- may function in a fashion simicrease productivity by providing lar to provincial workers’ comfinancial security and support pensation. When asked what when their employees need it he considers to be the most most. The ability to offer com- valuable service that he offers, prehensive group benefits pack- Isaac said: “The ability for ownages to their employees means ers to buy insurance that will that the employees no longer look after their unexpected and have to pay out of pocket for unwanted legal costs.” A lot dental and health services. For of decision makers may be unsome workers, this is the differ- aware that they are able to cover ence between repairing a dental their legal costs in criminal and problem and suffering through civil matters through insurance the pain of it for years on end. that Isaac provides. The peace Family coverage can be offered of mind offered by such proto those employees who seek tection is astounding, and may it, thus providing children and mean the difference between a other dependants with much successful business and one that needed coverage at crucial pe- is shuttered. riods in their lives. Employee benefits plans can be designed Key qualifiers for any business to include a wide array of perks looking for group insurance that people may not have previ- coverage are as follows. First, ously expected, such as employ- the company must operate in ee family assistance programs an eligible industry, such as rethat offer access to counseling tail or manufacturing. Second, and behavioral intervention, the company must be willing and can also include consul- to contribute to at least 25% of tations with specialists such the cost of the plan. Third, the as dieticians and naturopaths. company should be financially Also, managers and owners can stable, and ideally, in operaobtain increased coverage for tion for two years or more (exthemselves, should they have ceptions can be made) with a the need for it. low rate of employee turnover.

There are other considerations Brandon Wright, general man- to be made. For instance, seaager of Victoria-based medici- sonal workers must work at nal bakery Baked Edibles knows least 9 months out of the year the value of an employee ben- to qualify, and full-time emefits plan. “It’s a business tool ployees should work at least that everybody uses,” Wright 24 hours per week. In order to said, “and I can’t see any reason put together a quote for group

Issue Number 48 insurance coverage, companies are simply asked to provide the age, gender, and occupations of their employees, as well as their wage/salary and province of residence. Insurers ask for this information in order to properly price out the cost for the companies; for instance, as women have longer life expectancies than men, they are able to purchase life insurance at a lower cost relative to their male counterparts. Another important consideration is whether or not the employees would need coverage for their families, or conversely, that they already have existing coverage through a spouse’s benefits plan. With this information in hand, group benefits providers will be able to properly assess the organization’s insurability.

www.CannabisDigest.ca With greater exposure comes increased scrutiny, and many marijuana-related organizations have been feeling the pinch as municipalities and community organizations begin to look for ways to limit their activity and, in some cases, get in on a slice of the pie. Anti-competitive, uncompassionate bylaws are being crafted in communities all over the country, with bureaucrats and naysayers leading the push to restrict the rights of both providers and users.

Despite marijuana’s furthered acceptance as a legitimate medicinal tool, a war is still being waged against those who work in its favour. One of the greatest rebuttals a business can have is to say: “If the insurance companies can work with us, why can’t you?!”

Courtland Sandover-Sly is a Group Benefits Associate with Great-West Life Assurance Company and a Financial Security Advisor with Freedom 55 Financial. Born and raised on the west coast, he is heavily involved in his home community of Central Saanich, BC, a

community in Greater Victoria.

33

Courtland can be reached at 250-475-1100 x. 524, or at Courtland.Sandover-Sly@ freedom55financial.com.

Small is Beautiful

35

Spiritual Opportunities for a New Cannabis Industry where, its advice should be con- They are an insult to human nasidered. ture, breeding feelings of emptiness, and meaninglessness.

Schumacher’s central idea is that measuring the well being of 2. No one enjoys the idea of a nation by looking mainly at its working in a business that is gross domestic product (GDP, busy damaging the natural enand assuming that everyone vironment, gorging on non-rebenefits from mass production, newable resources, and dumping is a misguided 19th century no- toxic sludge on human commu-

Judith Stamps

I

f you’re into alternative economics, you may have come across E.F. Schumacher’s text: Small is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered, first published in 1973 as an accessible paperback for a liberal era. It was republished in 1989 in the rocky years that saw the nuclear explosion at Chernobyl; glasnost and perestroika; the fall of the Berlin Wall; the height of Thatcherism in the UK, the election of Canadian Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, under whose guidance Canadians were forbidden to sell or own literature on cannabis; the enigma of ‘just say no;’ the militarization of US police; the systematic harassment and imprisonment of black Americans; the birth of rap music; the appearance on the streets of crack cocaine; and in drugstores, of Prozac. The book was an iconic challenge to the growth of mega-business, and is said to have been one of the most influential texts of the late 20th century. I wish it had been. In a world now ruled by ‘the 1%,’ its message remains largely unheard, but is more urgently needed than ever. For a generation experiencing the emergence of a legal cannabis industry in Canada and else-

tion. As we should have all seen by now, this notion has fostered gigantic corporations that produce wealth for the few, and poverty for the many. Besides the unfortunate distribution of wealth, it has also encouraged unhealthy workplaces, disconnected communities, and estranged individuals. For building connectedness, one needs smaller, local producers for local markets. Here are some of Schumacher’s reasons why.

1. No one really likes to work in a place where they answer to a boss who, in turn, answers to another, who answers to a series of others, ending in a pinnacle somewhere in the Land of Oz. “I don’t make the rules around here” is an alienating concept.

Just ask the Health Canada Licensed Producers of cannabis, or the MMAR licensed producers.

Ask Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.

Such working conditions are soul-destroying.

nities where and when it’s convenient. These practices create illness, and give enterprise a bad name. They destroy our peace, and our sense of wellbeing.

3. No one likes to be a cog in a machine. Fractured mass production techniques that go hand in hand with monotonous, moronic jobs, leave us depleted and depressed. We need whole work.

4. No one can be proud to work in businesses that use their power to manipulate desires, create fake needs, prey on our insecurities, and push endless consumption.

5. No one can feel part of a workplace that celebrates greed.

Greed divides us. It’s not for nothing that chronic illness, fatigue, and depression have become rampant. Last October the World Health Organization declared depression the leading

cause of disability worldwide.

And let’s add this thought. In much of the industrialized world people are permitted to bury their misery in shopping sprees, gambling, eating, drinking, smoking, guzzling coffee, or chugging prescription pills.

If those things don’t work for them, and they try something else, they face arrest and prosecution. Being arrested in this way destroys people’s connection to society too.

Now we are on the cusp of creating new work, new production methods, and new enterprises in a legal cannabis industry. Some part of that industry has already joined the society of giants. The recently amalgamated LP, Tweed Marijuana Inc. and its CEO, Bruce Linton, have signed on for the next few seasons to be in the old game. They plan, so they say, to dominate the entire playing field. If they can attract enough investors, they may have some success. But here’s the more interesting part of our future.

The Canadian public has yet to imagine, much less meet, the people who, for the past two decades, have been the heart of the cannabis industry. Through the news, people have heard about gangs, black markets, and so on. But the real industry is a thing they’ve never seen. They haven’t met the many experienced, unlicensed growers that serve both dispensaries and the cannabis friendly public. Most have yet to visit a dispensary, even to see what they look like, and what sort of people go there.

Hardly anyone has met, or even thought about, the many producers of extracts, salves, and edibles. Who are they anyway?

The 60% who have had nothing to do with cannabis have yet to

Cannabis Digest • Spring 2016

meet most of the 40% who have tried it. So when these folks, cannabis producers and consumers alike, emerge en masse from the shadows, their collective presence will look much like a new continent, or a parallel universe made visible for the first time. That day will come slowly for many Canadians, but it will come. Consider former Canadian Health Minister, and interim Conservative leader, Rona Ambrose. Just the other day she unveiled her recognition that the Canadians who want legal cannabis are mostly adults. It’s an important point.

The cannabis industry (serving mostly adults) already provides wholesome work for many people. Growers and bakers are able to spend their time producing something they can believe in. They can feel proud of making an herb to take the place of deadly prescription drugs, and heavy alcohol use. They can be part of a team small enough so that its members can get to know one another. In this setting they can have a say in how things get done. They can have variety in their tasks. They can make a whole product: a plant, a medicine, or a well turned out dried flower. As well, some can find work in non-profit centres, if they prefer that style, and some in collectives. Not all,

but many will have come to value these work qualities as much as they value profit. The possibilities for variety in organizing this important work are infinite.

Of course, the cannabis industry did not invent contemporary small handicraft enterprise.

And attempts to create such enterprises have not always led where one might have wished.

The Body Shop, founded in 1976 in Brighton, in the southern UK, and Ben and Jerry’s ice cream founded in 1978, in Burlington, Vermont, were efforts at small artisanal production. At least they were once such efforts. They have since been snarfled up by big business. So now they are pseudo artisans. In fact, ‘artisanal’ has become such a buzzword on food labels that it is starting to be my—and others’, I’m sure— least favourite expression. The ‘small is beautiful’ cannabis industry, presuming there will be one, will have a fine time keeping ahead of mimics.

On the other hand, we see emerging, popular farmers’ markets. Thus far they appear to be remaining what they look like, and are bright spots in an otherwise dark industry. By supporting them, we are able to support a better vision of production. As the Trudeau gov-

ernment has stated that profits are not its main priority, and some local city councils have taken it upon themselves to recognize the value in medical dispensaries, there is some reason to hope that the new plan will be inclusive, and will allow a mix of production styles. These must include, of course, home growing for personal use. That production is vital.

The two most important thoughts I’m left with after reading Schumacher are that ideals are important, and that work needs to be more than putting in time in return for money. Ideals are not romantic illusions, even if we can never entirely achieve them. They are important standards by which we judge how well we are doing. As to work, we need it

to feed our creativity, and our feeling of wellbeing. We need it to connect us to others, and to give us a sense of belonging.

We need our work to do these things just as much as we need it to produce things. That’s an important ideal, one that I hope as much of the cannabis industry as possible will adopt. If we’re going to emerge as a new continent, let it be as human a continent as we can make it.

And if we’re going to appear as a parallel universe, let’s make it one divided into smallish, human scale units that keep us connected to health, to imagination, and to nature. Should even a portion of the Canadian cannabis industry manage something like this ideal, it will have done something worthy, even beyond cannabis.

Issue Number 48

www.CannabisDigest.ca

HEMPOLOGY 101 WORD SEARCH

37

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

Cannabis Digest • Spring 2016

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

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

British Columbia VICTORIA CANNABIS BUYERS’ CLUB (VCBC) 826 Johnson St., Victoria Tel: 250-381-4220 Email: hempo101@gmail.com www.v-cbc.ca OCEAN GROWN MEDICINAL SOCIETY 1725 Cook St Unit 1, Victoria Tel: 778-265-1009 VANCOUVER ISLAND COMPASSION SOCIETY 853 Cormorant St., Victoria Tel:250-381-8427 Fax: 250-381-8423 NANAIMO MEDICAL CARE CLUB 14 Lois Lane, Nanaimo Tel: (778) 441-0141 nanaimomedicalcareclub.com PHOENIX PAIN MANAGEMENT SOCIETY 321 Wallace St, Nanaimo 778-441-2661 NORTH ISLAND COMPASSION CLUB Tel:250-871-5207 BC COMPASSION CLUB SOCIETY 2995 Commercial Drive, Vancouver Tel:604-875-0448 Fax: 604-875-6083 website: www.thecompassionclub.org GREEN CROSS SOCIETY OF B.C. 2127 Kingsway, Vancouver Tel: 778-785-0370 Fax:778-785-0477 www.greencrossofbc.org VANCOUVER MEDICINAL CANNABIS DISPENSARY 880 East Hastings St. Tel: 604-255-1844 Fax: 604-255-1845 West End location: 1182 Thurlow St. www.cannabisdispensary.ca YALETOWN MEDICAL DISPENSARY 1281 Howe St., Vancouver TEL: (604) 566-9051 FAX: (604) 558-2879 www.yaletownmedicaldispensary.com VAN CITY MEDICINAL SOCIETY 1299 Kingsway, Vancouver Tel: (604) 875-0002 Email: vcmsofficial@gmail.com BUDDHA BARN 2179 West 4th Avenue Vancouver, 604-739-9456, buddhabarn.ca

MED POT NOW SOCIETY 1316 Kingsway , Vancouver Tel: 1-(855)-333-3420 www.medpotnow.com THE HEALING TREE 529 East Hastings St., Vancouver Tel: 604-569-1091 www.hdcvan.ca REDMED 231 Abbott St., Vancouver Tel: 604-559-9444 CANNA CLINIC 758 East Broadway, Vancouver Tel: 604-558-2454 PACIFIC CANNAMED SOCIETY 1259 Kingsway, Vancouver Tel: 604-558-3225 8546 Granville St., Tel: 604-563-3250 SUNRISE MEDICAL FOUNDATION 258 W Broadway 604-877-0211 www.mysunrise.ca THE GREEN RHINO 2570 Granville 1-888-661-5557 www.thegreenrhino.ca WESTCOAST MEDICANN 2931 Cambie St., Vancouver, BC. Tel: 604-558-2266 www.westcoastmedicann.com PAIN MANAGEMENT SOCIETY 2137 Commercial Drive. Vancouver Tel: 604-215-4551 Fax: 1-888-684-6906 www.painmanagementsociety.org EDEN MEDICINAL SOCIETY 161 E. PENDER, Vancouver Tel: 604-568-9337 637 E. HASTINGS, Vancouver Tel: 604-568-9337 www.myeden.ca NELSON COMPASSION CLUB #203-602 Josephine St. Nelsom, BC Tel: 250-354-4206 Email: nelsoncompassion@yahoo.ca T.A.G.G.S 11696 - 224th St., Maple Ridge, BC Tel: 604-477-0557 Fax: 604-477-0575 Email: taggs420@live.com

BE KIND OKANAGAN GROWERS AND COMPASSION CLUB. 288 Hwy. #33 West Rutland, BC (Kelowna) Tel: 778-753-5959 Fax: 778-753-5755 Vernon Location: www.okanagancompassionclub.com GRASSROOTS BOTANICALS WELLNESS COOPERATIVE 4730 Willingdon ave, Powell River Tel: 604-485-6636 Fax: 604-485-2458 www.grassrootscannabisdispensary.com KOOTENAYS MEDICINE TREE #4 1948 68 Avenue, Grand Forks 250-442-8248 www.kootenaysmedicinetree.ca

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

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

Maritimes THCC—FARM ASSISTS Tel: (902) 495-0420 www.thefarmassists.com

*To add your club to this list, please contact: editor@cannabisdigest.ca

Issue Number 48

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