DOOR OPENED FOR LARGE-SCALE POT GROWING

Cowichan could become one of Canada's medical cannabis capitals
following last week's federal-court ruling allowing growers to supply
more than one patient.

Right now Eric Nash and partner Wendy Little legally produce cannabis
for one patient apiece through their Duncan grow-op Island Harvest.

But the couple says that may rise to 164 to serve people whose demand
for their pot has been previously rejected by the feds.

"This ruling allows for patients to access cannabis much more openly
and legitimizes a model for various suppliers as opposed to a
government-imposed monopoly," said Little, a teacher.

"It's a real victory for the legalization of cannabis as a medicine."

Island Harvest - the world's only certified-organic medical cannabis
- - is tailored to medical needs of each patient.

The Jan. 10 federal decision will not restrict product prices nor
patient numbers, the couple said.

Judge Barry Strayer's ruling basically strikes down Health Canada's
attempt to stop Ontario's Carasel Harvest Supply Corporation from
legally growing for multiple patients.

It's unknown if Health Canada will appeal Strayer's ruling.

Strayer says patients should have easy access to medical marijuana
legally prescribed and grown for them rather than seeking the drug
from a federal grow-op in a Manitoba mineshaft.

That source, the judge concluded, was of uneven quality, forcing some
people to use illegal sources.

"Requiring medical users to obtain their supplies illicitly infringed
on their liberty and security interests," Strayer wrote.

"What the Charter requires is government not hinder, for no good
reason, those with a demonstrated medical need to obtain this substance."

But Strayer notes some 80 per cent of pot patients aren't getting
their weed from the feds.

Patients can grow pot themselves or have a licensed pro grow it for them.

However, some buy from pushers because growers like Nash and Little -
who aren't users themselves - were restricted to just one patient each.

Strayer notes different pot strains can have various therapeutic effects.

Little said there are some 2,000 patients in the federal program.

"We're getting emails from people saying they want a choice of
strain; that's one of their biggest complaints."

The judge also questions the feds' quality control, pointing to
benefits of more legal grow-ops and easier inspection.

"It seems logical if designated producers were authorized to produce
for many customers there would be economies of scale and a level of
income that might make possible even better quality control by the
producer," he says.

Nash and Little run an indoor grow-op where strains of sativa
(energizing) and indica (relaxing) cannabis buds are cloned and grown
for each patient.

"Strayer's ruling opens the industry to encourage legitimate business
models, taxes paid and product choice which ultimately benefits
customers," said computer consultant Nash who testified in Carasel's case.

"Our product is certified organic and inspected by B.C.'s Ministry of
Agriculture, Food and Fisheries."

Lawyer Rob Whittome is submitting a letter to Ottawa naming the 164
patients who've requested Island Harvest cannabis.

Before 2004, the couple had three patients apiece.

That roster was later cut by Health Canada rules "but Judge Strayer
says they've continued to violate the Charter," Nash said.

He and Little charge $3.50 per gram. Health Canada charges $5 per
gram while illegal marijuana costs $8 to $15 per gram.

Island Harvest weed is legally mailed to customers through Canada Post.

Patients are assigned a daily cannabis quota - from one to 56 grams -
based on their doctor's prescription.

Patients can store up to 27 pounds (13 kg) for their own personal
medical supply, Nash said.