NEED TO BE VIGILANT

Editor, The Gazette

Re: Medical marijuana

In a Sept. 23 column, it was reported that Coun. (Joy) Davies
believes freedom of information on her medical marijuana task force
is not applicable until the task force makes its
recommendations. What comes first - the chicken or the egg? We may
be well advised to addle the egg before it has a chance to hatch.

Coun. Davies' secret task force has a two-pronged approach. First,
they want to lobby the provincial and federal governments to change
the laws on marijuana. Secondly, they want to establish a grow op in
Grand Forks. Don't expect the voting at council table to change at
all when the task force's recommendations are presented in
November. The result will be four people at council table
rubberstamping the task force's recommendations. Then, council will
proclaim to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and the
provincial and federal governments that all of Grand Forks supports
this project.

With regard to the proposed grow op, Health Canada's web site
indicates licensed growers of medical marijuana are allowed to grow
for two licensed patients, with a maximum of 150 plants per patient
depending on the prescribed daily dosage. What safeguards will be in
place to prevent excess produce of a medical marijuana grow op being
sold as illegal marijuana? Health Canada's contracted major supplier
of medical marijuana, Prairie Plant Systems, has an underground
hydroponic growing system to prevent contaminants entering the
medication stream. What sort of growing system will Grand Forks'
medical marijuana grow op employ and will the taxpayers be expected
to finance the start up costs?

Citizens of Grand Forks, if council does not hear your concerns,
questions, objections, they will assume you approve of what they are
doing on the medical marijuana issue. Sign the petition located at
Work and Play and Yacky Jacquie's. Contact those people you know are
on the task force. Show up at council meetings and speak or offer
moral support for those brave enough to speak on your behalf.

Sylvia Treptow,
Grand Forks

Ed. note: The report voted on by council states the task force will
"recommend a system that would provide local, safe access to medical
marijuana" and then, "lobby the provincial and federal governments
with the recommended model." It is not known if the recommended model
will include a grow op in Grand Forks.