NANAIMO MEDICAL POT USERS SPLIT ON PHASING OUT HOME PRODUCTION

Government Takes Input On Switching To Commercial Growers

Nanaimo medical marijuana users are divided over Ottawa phasing out
home-based medicinal pot production.

Health Canada is taking public input on a proposal to move require
licensed commercial growers to produce and distribute all medical
marijuana, cutting out home growers.

Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said it would reduce electrical fires
that threaten the public and emergency workers, while removing a
loophole allowing criminals to produce marijuana.

Marijuana would remain regulated under the Controlled Substance Act.

While expressing concerns about access to medical pot, user Gregory
Twyman said criminals now use growing licences as a cover for illegal
activities.

Nanaimo firefighters support changes that would reduce their risk of
exposure to shock or burn hazards from grow-op fires.

"The majority of grow-ops, including those for medicinal purposes,
are not up to (fire) code," said fire chief Ron Lambert.

Nanaimo RCMP and 'E' Division, the provincial headquarters, will not
comment on matters of public policy.

Twyman has a Health Canada licence to grow up to 73 marijuana plants
and while he seldom grows that many, it gives him access to marijuana
for his severe arthritis. He makes clones from his plants at various
stages of growth, producing new plants without seeds.

Twyman acknowledges the current system has problems.

"I've had guys come up to me and offer to buy my licence, and say:
'I'll give you 30 lights. I can make so much money, and I'll give you
half,'" Twyman said.

Earlier this month RCMP arrested two Maple Ridge farmers licensed to
grow 220 plants with more than 1,200 and considerable quantities of
money alleged to be from the illegal sale of marijuana, which Twyman
consides evidence change is needed. But he worries about the impact
on home growers like him.

"I agree overall, but make it accessible for those of us who don't
have a lot of money and depend on it," he said.

Others see the proposed changes as a step backward.

"If they take away people's licences it will just throw it back in
the hands of criminals," said Richard Payne, of the Mid-Island
Compassion Society.

Ottawa also proposes to remove a requirement for users to apply to
Health Canada in order to possess dried marijuana. Instead, they
would submit a doctor's note directly to a licensed commercial
producer. The changes would take effect some time in 2012.

To learn more and comment, go to http://bit.ly/iza2ZF . Comment will
be accepted up until July 31.