THE POT AND THE KETTLE

Re: Letters, Oct. 29-Nov. 4

I have been a member of both Ted Smith's Cannabis Buyers Club and
Phillipe Lucas' Vancouver Island Compassion Society for about nine
years. I am grateful to these men and the work they do, and while both
clubs are working towards a common goal which I fully support (safe
and legal access to marijuana), I only "shop" at the VICS.

As Smith's letter stated, no doctor's recommendation is required to
join his club. Lucas has a far more professional approach; VICS
members all have legitimate medical conditions and their doctor's
support regarding medical use of marijuana. Smith is a media hound and
I applaud his in-your-face tactics: from distributing free pot cookies
to regular public smoke-ins, he has done a great job keeping marijuana
a hot topic. Lucas and VICS have also been covered by the media, but
the focus tends to be on the advancements in medical marijuana
research to which the club is committed, or the legal and political
obstacles facing medicinal pot users.

Both clubs are useful and part of the solution, but I'm disappointed
with Smith's petty comments and criticisms. Phillipe Lucas is a man of
integrity, commitment and compassion and, along with the VICS staff,
possesses an impressive (and yes, internationally recognized) amount
of knowledge about this news-making herb.

Nancy Raycroft,

Victoria