Editor:
Re: A few bad seeds hurt patient, Jan. 8 editorial.
Thank you for presenting a compassionate, factual editorial on the upcoming changes the Harper government is enacting.
How refreshing to see this attitude in the media!
I am a senior with multiple medical conditions. I have been under a doctor’s care and a federally licensed patient for 10 years. Due to cannabis, I have a good quality of life and am no longer taking pharmaceutical prescription drugs.
The side effects of the prescription drugs were creating havoc in my life. I spent most of my time walking around like a zombie and either sleeping or watching TV for most of the day. Now, I have energy, a clear head and am involved in my community. Now, I am able to enjoy my family and grandchildren.
Everything you said in your editorial is correct. One fact left out is that Health Canada radiates the cannabis they sell to patients. That policy will continue as they farm out to big companies. The government cannot tell us what harm ingesting radiated plant material will cause us as they have not done any studies.
We have a right to “safe” medicine. I know others who grow their medicine for $300 per month or less, but with the new regulations they will have to pay over $3,000. When one lives on a CPP disability pension of less than $1,000 per month, this will be impossible.
The Harper government continues to abuse and re-victimize our weakest and sickest.
Legalizing or decriminalizing is not the answer for patients. Regardless what happens in the recreational marijuana world, we need a separate model that allows us dignified, safe access at an affordable cost to our medicine, which includes allowing us to grow, or have grown, what works for us and/or have our medicine covered by MSP just as the chemical pharmaceuticals are.
These are bad laws. Bad laws are meant to be broken, if it is in the interest of the public. I expect we will see these bad laws broken by many and the Harper government turning sick people into criminals.
J. Davies, Surrey
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I do appreciate the clear-thinking editorial remarks on cannabis. Thanks for the hotlinks on the Black Press web pages to learning and for stimulating the dialogue.
Surely we can negotiate a modern model that allows people dignified, safe access at an affordable cost to this medicine in various forms – eaten, drops, vaporized and usually last recourse is inhaling/smoking.
People should be able to grow the correct species that works for them, in moderation, and/or have cannabis medicine covered by MSP, just as chemical pharmaceuticals are.
Medical uses of cannabis need to be distinct from the popular recreational culture of Hollywood movies that the media and reactionaries spin.
We can not allow undue suffering and punitive expense for those suffering with cancer and other illnesses.
The federal off-load entanglements with profit-making exploitation is not in the best interests of Canadians.
Pat Petrala, White Rock