Lawyer takes on Feds over new pot rules

Beaches Compassion

Active Member
Lawyer takes on Feds over new pot rules


By Rochelle Baker, The Times June 13, 2013 2:13 AM


Abbotsford lawyer John Conroy is undertaking a legal battle against new changes to the federal government's medical marijuana program.

On Monday, Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq announced some of the anticipated changes to the program, which includes banning individual home-based medicinal grow-ops in favour of larger government licenced producers.

The new regulations mean sick or disabled people or their legal proxies with licences will no long be able to grow their own marijuana, said Conroy.

The price of marijuana from the large producers will cost people up to four times as much as producing their own, said Conroy.

The government estimates under the new program medical pot will be sold for $8 to $10 a gram while individuals grew their own for between $1 to $4, said Conroy.

The price increase will limit some sick individuals, many on a low income, from being able to buy marijuana for their conditions.

There is legal precedent that individuals with medical conditions with a doctor's authorization have a Constitutional right to reasonable access to medical marijuana, said Conroy.

Under the old program, those that couldn't afford dispensary or black market prices grew their own marijuana, something they won't be able to do in the future.

Conroy expects to launch a Constitutional challenge on behalf of a coalition of medical marijuana users fighting the problematic aspects of the proposed regulations.

"Basically, we're saying these people's constitutional rights are being impaired by what's being proposed," said Conroy.

"At one time they could produce cannabis for themselves as there was no other program to provide it. But a program that's out of reach is akin to having no program at all."

The group, MMAR DPL/ PPL Coalition Against Repeal, says it has 3,400 members across Canada.

Conroy said his firm has collected 1,000 victim impact statements so far.

The lawsuit aims to prevent some or all of the new regulations from coming into force, or to maintain the status quo until there's some guarantee that all patients have reasonable access to medical marijuana.

Failing that, Conroy may also take up a class action lawsuit to compensate individuals who have invested resources and borne the costs of growing their own pot over the last decade.

On Monday, Aglukkaq agreed there must be reasonable access to legal marijuana for medical purposes.

But the government believes it must be done in a controlled manner to protect public safety, she said.

Since starting in 2001, the government's medical marijuana program has grown exponentially, from less than 500 authorized persons to over 30,000 currently.

The rapid growth of those producing medical marijuana, often in private homes, had consequences for public health and safety, said Aglukkaq.

"These changes will strengthen the safety of Canadian communities, while making sure patients can access what they need to treat serious illnesses," she said.

Municipal fire and bylaw authorities have long argued that home-based medical marijuana grows can pose fire safety problems or health problems due to mold.

Police point to the dangers of grow rips and the lack of enforcement to ensure licensed growers aren't producing more than they need for the illegal market.

Under the new provisions, patients will have access to quality-controlled marijuana produced under sanitary conditions, said the minister.

But Conroy noted that individuals that grew or developed specific strains of marijuana for their particular medical conditions will be out of luck.

Litigation will get underway sometime after September and before March 2014 when the new regulations go into effect, he said.

The details on the federal government's new Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations come out June 19.

RBaker@abbotsfordtimes.com

© Copyright © Abbotsford Times
 

Beaches Compassion

Active Member
I think this the best bet. He's taking this on in court and has been a long standing legal supporter of the medical marijuana community. If anyone can take them on it's him, but he needs funds so go to the site and donate if you can.

http://www.mmarcoalitionagainstrepeal.com

There is a video of John Conroy the lawyer from the article talking about what he's going to do and he's fired up!
 

maximum

Active Member
Good video.

March 21 2014 all licenses will expire according to John Conroy. So what if you have a june 2014 expire date?

I wonder if the efforts of John Conroy can actually delay the transition date?
 

bigboybuds

Well-Known Member
Canadian Card Holders who aren't a part of the coalition should get involved. You don't have to donate anything (although it will help in the battle) to be a member. There is a Facebook page with frequent updates on the progress of the Coalition. The more members & Impact Statements the better.
 

Beaches Compassion

Active Member
Good video.

March 21 2014 all licenses will expire according to John Conroy. So what if you have a june 2014 expire date?

I wonder if the efforts of John Conroy can actually delay the transition date?
I have heard that HC will issue some sort of "notice" to say all our lic's are expired April 1st 2014.

I am really hoping John Conroy can get this at the very least delayed, if not thrown right out.
 

buckets

Well-Known Member
Thanks for posting this. I mailed John Conroy some money. I should go further and put my name on the challenge with an impact statement. I hope others do as well.
 

rotorbuds

Member
this is the time for everyone to register and fill out an impact statement. the new changes effect everyone now and all in the future.
 

buckets

Well-Known Member
stay motivated people. take action. That's what brings on change. I'm going to be a part of this fight! Here I come John COnroy. Let's get ready to fight that Harper asshole.
 

Brian Savage

Well-Known Member
Where am i supposed to get organically grown fan leaves? And where should i get the $1400 a month i will need to buy my prescription? :(
 

buckets

Well-Known Member
Here you go folks. Here's the address you send the impact statements to.

Office Address

John Conroy & Company
2459 Pauline Street
Abbotsford, British Columbia
Canada V2S 3S1

Toll-free: 1-877-852-5110
Tel: (604) 852-5110
Fax: (604) 859-3361
Email: office@johnconroy.com
 

Beaches Compassion

Active Member
Where am i supposed to get organically grown fan leaves? And where should i get the $1400 a month i will need to buy my prescription? :(
Here is Health Canada's Official Stance on this -

[h=2]4. What if I can't afford the cost of dried marihuana for medical purposes from a licensed producer?[/h]You may wish to consult your health care practitioner to discuss other options, including adjusting the daily quantity of dried marihuana or finding an alternative.


WOW< AKA - so go pound oxy's - I DO NOT Understand how HEALTH CANADA is able to say this is a better option - go back on pills?

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/marihuana/future-avenir/faq-eng.php#a4
 

mrfssd

Member
Good video.

March 21 2014 all licenses will expire according to John Conroy. So what if you have a june 2014 expire date?

I wonder if the efforts of John Conroy can actually delay the transition date?
I think that even if John could delay this transition date, it don't solve the issue that one day everyone will eventually be forced to do this and pay the higher price.

There are really no way around it, if HC are just trying to close all the doors to growing them in residential location.

If that is the case, no matter what happen the cost will go up based on the fact you needed to spend more money on a separate location, and security vs people just grow them in the basement.

In a sense it does help in community safety, for example fire, robbery and etc. I know for a fact I won't wanted my kids and I living beside a neighbor that could have higher chance of fire or robbery. But all this does also put a strain in the patient that needed them.
 

Brian Savage

Well-Known Member
The charter will protect our rights. The government lost on prostitution and safe injection sites, they are going to lose on this.
The 2000 supreme court ruling clearly states that a person who demonstrates a need for medicinal marijuana MUST have REASONABLE access. Asking your doctor for an alternative (aka toxic pills)is NOT reasonable access to cannabis. There is no alternative to what juicing THCV rich strains fan leaves has done for the balance of my type 1 diabetes. Our right to autonomy is also protected by the charter of rights and freedoms.
 
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