MARIJUANA CLINIC RAIDS ARE A CAUSE FOR CONCERN

Re:

Tens of thousands of Canadians are worried over the current medical
marijuana access regulations under Health Canada's authorization, and
with the recent police targeting of medical marijuana dispensaries, or
"compassion clubs" in recent months across the country.

With current Health Canada application backlogs, the average applicant
must wait at least three months from the time of their doctor's
approval until they can either begin to order marijuana from the
government, have it grown by a friend or acquaintance, or grow it for
themselves. Once they receive their approved documentation in the
mail, they must wait another two months for Health Canada's supply to
arrive, or closer to four months for their own medicinal crop to ripen.

Until recently, individuals in Toronto, Guelph, Montreal and Quebec
could apply for a membership at a medical marijuana dispensary, so
that while they wait for their permit to arrive they can begin to
access medicine through those clubs. These businesses have been open
in their respective locations anywhere from a few months to several
years, in plain view of the community, with full police and politician
awareness, and in some cases with their support.

Several have recently been closed or inhibited by recent police
actions, however. That has resulted in many Canadians being cut off
from their supplier of medicine and significant police and Crown
prosecution expenditures.

This matter deserves far greater attention than it has
received.

Eitan Gallant,

Guelph