MEDPOT LIFE AND DEATH

Regarding Stoning of a crusader (NOW, August 28-September 3), my wife
and I are (arguably) the most high-profile and outspoken medpot
crusaders in the capital area, and we live in constant fear.

We have licences from Health Canada to smoke marijuana, but we know
that doesn't necessarily protect us from persecution.

We walk a fine line between raising the ire of the police (with our
letters, speeches and TV appearances) and being protected by our
public, high-profile activism. The thing that endangers us is also,
ironically, the thing that protects us.

But unlike Matt Mernagh and me, my wife could not survive in jail.
Without her medicine, she would likely have powerful seizures within
a day or so, especially with her food allergies.

This would mean she could be ignored in her cell and left to die. Or,
worse yet, be sent to the ER where she would be pumped full of drugs
that could kill her in short order, which is why she was forced to
turn to the herb in the first place.

If she survived her ER stay, she would be stuck with months of
depression, as happened just this past Easter Monday and in the weeks
since. It has been touch and go for months.

People act like having a pot licence is some sort of privilege or
prize. To us, it is a curse.

Russell Barth
Ottawa