POT SOURCE MAY BE OPEN SOON

People who qualify for medical marijuana could find a storefront
source in Kamloops within a few weeks.

Julian Gushulak, who ran for the B.C. Marijuana Party in last
spring's provincial election, said Monday he's looking for a location
for the Kamloops Compassion Club and expects to have an address for
it in about two weeks.

The project is being backed by the party's president, Mark Emery, and
Gushulak said he'll eventually apply for non-profit society status
for the club.

Club members must fill out application forms and must have legitimate
health problems, said Gushulak, who himself suffered a serious
industrial accident eight years ago and smokes pot to relieve pain
and improve his appetite.

The club will be up and running before Health Canada has fully dealt
with how to handle the medical marijuana issue. Gushulak said those
who are suffering and in pain can't wait for Ottawa to iron out the
details.

"We can't wait for the government any more," he said.

"It's not going to be a free for all. =D6 We're going to know the
clients' needs and usage."

He envisioned the club with a reception area for those who have
questions or want answers, as well as a separate room where members
would get organically grown marijuana for smoking or in other forms
such as cookies, butter, oil or tincture.

"It would be more like a health store than a pharmacy," he said

He added he is already gathering names of people with medical
problems seeking relief. There will be no drug use on the premises.

"I've got probably 25 people I've been talking to since the election
in connection with this."

The party is providing funding, but as a proviso is insisting there
be a security system at the club.

Gushulak said the Marijuana Party has lawyers to protect the clubs
and the growers providing the various forms of pot.

"I realize that it's not a fully legal thing. But it's not fully
illegal, either," he said. "I call it a semi-legal state, myself."
Gushulak, a marijuana user of 34 years, said he has been busted eight
times for having the drug in his possession. He's not worried about
getting caught again, especially because of the ambiguous state it's
in now that the federal government has legalized marijuana for some
medical use.

"We're going to follow as closely to government guidelines as
possible," he said.

"Definitely nobody wants to go to jail."

Paul Lagace of the AIDS Society of Kamloops said his organization is
not commenting on the medical marijuana issue at this time.

Staff Sgt. Randy Brown of the Kamloops RCMP said he'd have to look
into the issue before he could comment on how the police will deal
with the club.