Welcome to "Our" Weekly Blog. I say "Our" because I wish for any of our current members, who wish to add their personal touch's, can do so thru emailing their thoughts, along your with your name (first name only please) and your membership # to info@londoncompassionsociety.com .

The "Running Blog" will consist of me, us and you speaking our minds and letting you know where, what and how the centre, members and our court case (for the time being) is going. So please feel free to let us know what ever you think.

We're still trying to figure out how the best way to run this section..... Any idea's.?.?

*******************************************************************************************************

Mary's "Joint" .... (3.5.09)

In pain? You have a right to get high.
Quebecers with handicaps can smoke pot, says tribunal
 
If it hurts, smoke a joint.
That’s the gist of a recent ruling by Quebec’s human rights tribunal. Prompted by members of the Montreal Compassion Club, the tribunal looked into whether people who suffer discrimination as a result of medical marijuana use should be afforded protection under the Quebec Charter of Rights. It decided they should. The ruling is non-binding and applies only to Quebec, but advocates are hailing it as an important step toward changing drug laws across Canada.
 
The ruling arose from a 1978 modification to the Quebec Charter to include a clause barring discrimination against “the use of any means to palliate a handicap.” According to advocates, that clause, which is unique to Quebec, means that Quebecers can smoke marijuana to alleviate the symptoms of any handicap without fear of discrimination—however you choose to interpret the word “handicap.” “Where I come from, handicap is another word for ‘situation,’ ” says Charlie McKenzie, an advocate at the Compassion Club. “Someone suffering a migraine who seeks relief in a joint is not a criminal.”

McKenzie, one of the estimated 3,000 Canadians to hold a federal licence to use and produce medical marijuana, asked the tribunal to write an opinion on the subject after reading about several documented cases in which medical marijuana users were discriminated against. In one case, a father lost a custody battle after it became known that he used marijuana. In another, a user was urged by his employer to participate in a detox program in order to retain his pension benefits (the company eventually backed off).
The commission’s report has no legal weight, but it might be used as evidence in court cases, such as the pending dispute between the owner of Gator Ted’s, a Burlington, Ont., roadhouse, and a medical marijuana user asked to leave the bar’s entrance. “It’s better than nothing,” says Stephane Beaulac, a law professor at the Université de Montréal. “It gives advocates something to further their cause.”
 
Go here to comment
http://blog.macleans.ca/2009/03/04/in-pain-you-have-a-right-to-get-high/

Mary's "Joint" .... (1.26.09)

Last week the Conservative Party announced that they will be posting $34 and $30 Billion dollar deficits for the next two years. Jack Layton and the NDP announced that they will oppose the budget but failed to mention that ending prohibition would add more than $10 Billion per year government coffers while adding $30 Billion in market activity to the economy.

Instead of listening to the majority of Canadians and legalizing marijuana, our government is instead burdening future generations with $64 Billion in additional debt.

If you would like to be a provincial coordinator, simply email me at jacob@jacobhunter.org, this will only take up a few hours a month and give you priority access to EndProhibition events in your province. If you are interested in getting more involved but aren't sure about being a provincial coordinator, send me your email as well and I will put you in contact with the coordinator from your province.

more details on html below
 
 
http://drugsense.org/temp/8t4nsnfSUsIg.html

Mary's "Joint" .... (1.25.09)

When I speak to NDP MP's they tell me the biggest problem for them in
moving forward with ending prohibition is that they do not get enough email,
phone calls or letters on the subject. We need to send a clear message to
our MP's that ending prohibition is not only a priority for Canadians, but
that it can serve as a solution to the current economic meltdown.

We can not, indeed, we must not allow the fatigue of battle dissuade us from
this opportunity for victory! It is time to remind our politicians that
prohibition is endangering Canadians, harming our society and costing us
billions of dollars society can ill afford.

We need to send a clear message to our Members of Parliament that
maintaining the prohibition of marijuana, at a cost of $50 billion a year,
especially in the face of $30 billion deficits is beyond irresponsible. Call
or email your MP and tell them you want to see Parliament end prohibition
and regulate marijuana.

It's time to become more organized to influence NDP policy on this and other
issues. We need to set up local organizations to keep up to date on
provincial issues; we need representatives from each province to coordinate
the EndProhibition campaign in their province.

If you would like to be a provincial coordinator, simply email me at
jacob@jacobhunter.org, this will only take up a few hours a month and give
you priority access to EndProhibition events in your province. If you are
interested in getting more involved but aren't sure about being a provincial
coordinator, send me your email as well and I will put you in contact with
the coordinator from your province.

Would you like to host Dana at your university? Dana is currently setting up
dates for a cross-country speaking tour, if you would like to participate,
email jacob@jacobhunter.org and we can get your school on the list!

And don't forget, we have a huge opportunity at the convention in August and
we need to get as many delegates there as possible! EndProhibition will be
sponsoring buses to get delegates to Halifax, so if you want to be on the
happiest bus trip in Canadian history, email jacob@jacobhunter.org today to
get involved!

What would you do to help get as many people as possible to Halifax? What
would you like your MP's to say in Parliament? If you could say anything to
Stephen Harper or Jack Layton, what would it be? Helping to legalize
marijuana can be as simply as participating in EndProhibition discussions!
Reply with your ideas today!

 Mary's "Joint" .... (1.7.09)

 CNN’s Sanjay Gupta - What the Next Surgeon General Doesn’t Know About Cannabis
 
 
http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=57319273176&h=WRrVx&u=cgto9


Mary's "Joint" .... (1.2.09)

 

A woman is making progress with Cape Breton Hospital to allow her sick Father to smoke his marijuana meds in hospital. Story below.
 
Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to fill you all in on the latest going on in our fight for policy change within our local hospital.

I met with the CEO of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital today and things went very well for the most part.

We discussed the possibility of using a room in the hospital once used as a smoking room and properly ventilated so as to eliminate risk to staff and other patients, which, we realize, is a genuine concern.

We also discussed the possibility of the use of vaporizers within the facility and he was VERY interested in this possibility.

He was receptive and respectable to our ideas and concerns and has promised to take the discussion to the powers that be and get back to us all soon as to what may or may not be doable to help these patients receive their meds in a safe and dignified manner. Please, everyone, cross your fingers and toes that something may come about soon and keep on praying for the sick out there.

Thanks again to all of you for your continued support and wishes for all the best in 2009 to all of you.

Sincerely,

Cyndi and the Clarke Family
 
 Mary's Joint facebook causes about the vaporizer.

Mary's "Joint" .... (10.21.08)

The Golden Rule
>
> Drug policy reform advocacy has flourished in Cyberspace. Until the
> advent of the Internet, those interested in this topic lacked an
> inexpensive means to communicate and strategize with one another. Over
> the last decade, the online revolution - especially the growing
> availability of broadband - has given reformers the ability to
> quickly, easily, and inexpensively speak to one another, view
> Webpages, send text messages, and of course, exchange e-mail about
> drug policy in real time.
>
> Almost all reform advocates know and understand the Golden Rule: do
> unto others as you would have others do unto you. This ancient phrase
> encapsulates the best of humanity and serves as the basis for human
> rights. Most people agree with the importance of treating colleagues
> and even the opposition with the utmost kindness and respect. The term
> "Netiquette" is the Golden Rule as applied to Cyberspace.
>
> As a leader in Web activism and drug policy reform, DrugSense
> understands the dynamics behind online communication. We have grown
> with the Internet to now manage over 120 client Websites and oversee
> 180+ e-mail discussion lists, all with very few problems. Like many
> cyberspace organizations, DrugSense clarifies our support for
> netiquette through a document known as an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP),
> knowing that netiquette goes a long way toward facilitating proactive
> and productive inter-group and inter-movement communications.
>
> DrugSense's AUP can be found at http://www.drugsense.org/aup.htm. This
> updated document spells out our general policy, mailing list
> guidelines, and prohibited activities, as well as procedures to report
> violations.
>
> Remember, promoting a culture of ethical and lawful behavior,
> openness, trust, and integrity is key to credibly presenting our
> message to policy makers and the media. It is in the universal
> adoption of the Golden Rule that reform stands the best chance of
> ending the War on Drugs.
>
> Make your tax deductible donation to DrugSense today! It's quick,
> easy and secure! Just click here: http://www.drugsense.org/donate/
>
> Mark Greer
> Executive Director
>
> P.S. You can spread your donation over the course of a year by
> automatically repeating it every month, quarter, or half year as noted
> on our donate page at http://www.drugsense.org/donate/
>
> Checks can also be made payable to DrugSense and mailed to:
>
> DrugSense
> 14252 Culver Dr #328
> Irvine, CA 92604-0326
>
> Or you can donate toll free by calling 1-800-266-5759.
>
> Again, donating is quick, easy, and secure online at
> http://www.drugsense.org/donate/

For more of Mary's Blog's check out ..........

http://hemppusher.blogspot.com/
 
http://marijuanapatients.blogspot.com/

Allison's Latest BLOG ... (9.28.08)

Hi Folks...
 
Here is my latest....  ;-D
  
Love and a HUGE squish,
 
Alison
xx
  
http://www.communitypress.ca/media/Western/092608west.pdf (pg 10-11)

Source: Community Press, The (CN ON)
Website: http://www.communitypress.ca/
Feedback: http://drugsense.org/url/AaEnOqOj
Address: 14 Demorest Rd., Quinte, East, West K0K 3E0
Fax: (613) 395-2992
Copyright: 2008 Osprey Media
Author: Mark Hoult
Pubdate: September 26, 2008

Part IV of a five-part series on the medical use of marijuana

DARE officer wary of legalizing marijuana use

Although fewer than 3,000 Canadians are licensed to use medical
marijuana, it’s estimated that between 400,000 and one million people
in the country use cannabis as medication. The following is the fourth
in a series of articles about the use of marijuana to treat medical
conditions.

BY MARK HOULT

Peterborough County – When Peterborough County OPP Const. Eric Dawson
walks into a classroom full of Grade 6 students, he sees a room full
of young people whose full potential will unfold as they become
teenagers and then adults.

But if young people start taking drugs they could be diverted from a
path that leads to a bright, healthful future, says the former drug
squad member who is now a youth officer and Drug Abuse Resistance
Education program teacher.

When Dawson brings the DARE program into local Grade 6 classrooms, he
tells students what they need to know to make informed and wise
decisions when they are at some point confronted with a range of
illicit drugs, including cocaine, crack, heroine, crystal meth and
ecstasy. Dawson also advises students not to smoke cannabis, a plant
more commonly known as marijuana, and the illegal drug that attracts
the most debate and controversy. A growing number of Canadians would
like to see marijuana legalized, or at the very least decriminalized.
An Angus Reid Strategies poll conducted in May, 2008 showed that 53
per cent of adults believe the consumption of marijuana should be
allowed in Canada. Among them are people like former corrections
officer Alison Myrden and Trent Hills resident Wendal Grant (not his
real name), who are both licensed by the Canadian government to
consume marijuana for medical purposes, Myrden for her multiple
sclerosis, Grant for his Crohn’s disease.

They argue that legalizing marijuana would remove the stigma attached
to the drug and its consumption, smoothing the way for doctors worried
about public opinion to consider cannabis as a treatment for some of
their patients. Legalization and regulation would also take the drug
out of the control of criminal gangs and street dealers and do more to
prevent kids from obtaining and using the substance, they say.

For Myrden, legalization would lead to improved access to the specific
strains of marijuana she needs to effectively control her MS and
reduce the pain of a condition called trigeminal neuralgia, or tic
douloureux. “I’m stuck in the street market when I can’t find the
strain I need for the violent pain in my face,” she said.

The particular strain Myrden needs even has a name — William’s Wonder.
And it is considered “one of the top strains in the world,” she said,
describing its effectiveness as a pain killer. “When I smoked it, the
pain in my face was gone within 10 minutes.”

But like many other strains of marijuana, it is difficult to find, and
can’t be obtained through the Health Canada Medical Marijuana program.
That leaves Myrden and others to the mercy of street dealers, who take
advantage of their need for certain kinds of marijuana. “They know
they can make money off us,” she said.

In a recent press release, former Marijuana Party of Canada candidate
Russell Barth, a member of Patients Against Ignorance and
Discrimination on Cannabis, said “having a marijuana license does not
guarantee a consistent or reliable supply.” He said many federally
licensed medical marijuana users are forced to rely on compassion
clubs and “mom-and-pop” growers as backup to what he calls “the
onerous and dysfunctional Health Canada regulations.”

Const. Dawson knows all about the government’s medical marijuana
program, and recognizes the card that shows a person has the right to
consume cannabis without fear of arrest and prosecution. And he has no
problem with the program, which was created as the result of a court
decision.

“That’s completely out of the realm of what I do as a police officer,”
he told The CommunityPress. “These people are very, very sick. How
somebody deals with their sickness, that’s between them and their
health professionals. It’s nothing to do with us, that’s why they have
those licences. If that’s the way they want to deal with it, it’s
entirely their own choice.”

However, accepting that some people use marijuana to relieve the pain,
nausea and othersymptoms of their illnesses doesn’t mean he is in
favour of legalizing the drug, which he maintains is a threat to
health. Marijuana, he said, contains cancer-causing agents. Believing
the plant is benign, does not make it so, said Dawson.

“The biggest thing I hear in the schools is misinformation. I run into
both children and adults who believe they can smoke marijuana and it
will not cause cancer, or that they can concentrate better when they
are stoned. They think that somehow this is a safe smoke, but it’s not
safe.”

And to start smoking cannabis at a young age can have a devastating
impact on developing bodies and minds, he said, stressing that the
DARE program doesn’t attempt to scare kids with the threat of being
stopped by the police. Instead, the message is about health and
thinking about the future.

“I tell them, ‘you’re young, you like sports, and this is going to
hurt you, this is going to make you not as good, simple as that.’”

Dawson said Grade 6 children are capable of asking some hard questions
about drugs, and they want to hear details. So he tells them that
drugs are broadly classified as stimulants, depressants or
hallucinogens. Nicotine and cocaine are examples of stimulants, and
alcohol is a depressant. Marijuana, Dawson said, is classified as an
hallucinogen, which means it alters perception to the point that users
can experience feelings of paranoia and “actually have a hard time
with reality.”

It is this aspect of marijuana that concerns him above all others. “I
can tell you that that’s the thing that would make me, as a police
officer, be wary of its legalization,” he said.

An alternative would be to decriminalize cannabis, which essentially
means that people found with small amounts of marijuana would be
fined, not charged with an indictable crime. It’s a concept that
police could work with, especially since it would free up valuable
time spent doing paperwork for very minimal results.

“If it was just a ticket for small amounts of marijuana, I don’t think
you’d have a big argument in the police community, simple as that,”
Dawson said.

However, proposed bills to decriminalize cannabis and introduce a
framework of fines for possession of small amounts of the drug have
died on the floor of the House of Commons. “It’s obviously not the
will of the government to deal with the issue right now,” Dawson
observed.

Barney Savage, director of policy for the Centre For Addiction and
Mental Health in Toronto, said there are a number of options for
confronting cannabis use that don’t involve the criminal justice
system, and one of them would be a system of fines.

Another “huge part of the solution” involves educating people of all
ages, especially young people, about the consequences of using drugs,
including prescription drugs, Savage said.

“So, in the same way we teach young people about the responsible use
of alcohol and tobacco, we should be speaking to young people about
the consequences of cannabis use.”

And there are consequences, he said, stressing that cannabis “is not a
benign drug.” However, there are also “significant health
consequences” to many legal substances, he said. And 69 per cent of
health care costs in Canada attributable to drug use are related to
smoking tobacco. Alcohol accounts for 28 per cent of drug-related
health care costs, but only 0.5 per cent can be attributed to
marijuana use.

Savage said the government and Canadians must ask one essential
question: “What do we accomplish by using the Criminal Code as a way
of controlling cannabis use?”

And although marijuana is not a benign substance, the answer is that
the Criminal Code is not the best way to deal with its use, especially
when 14 per cent of Canadians say they have used cannabis over the
past year.

“Our position is that the criminal justice system is not the
appropriate mechanism for controlling the use of cannabis,” he said.
“We’re not convinced at all that we’re getting healthier people by
putting it in the Criminal Code and spending $200 million a year
enforcing it.”

Nor is criminalizing marijuana use particularly effective, Savage
said, noting that the high rate of criminal convictions for cannabis
use in the United States has not resulted in the lowest percentages of
people using the drug. Conversely, countries that have a lower rate of
criminal convictions often have a lower rate of marijuana use, he said.

“The evidence suggests that there are ways the government could place
its resources and priorities if we are interested in contributing to
public health.”

There is also the question of diverting police resources from other,
arguably more essential public safety activities, Savage said. “So we
could ask how much public safety we are getting. We certainly have to
ask that as a society.”

Alison Myrden would not disagree. In addition to being a licensed
medical marijuana user, the retired corrections officer, now living in
Burlington, is a member of and public speaker for LEAP (Law
Enforcement Against Prohibition), an international organization
comprising both retired and active law enforcement officers that
promotes the regulated legislation of drugs. LEAP believes the war
against drugs is ineffective, costly and ultimately harmful, and
supports the legalization of cannabis “to get the stuff off the street
and get it away from the criminals and controlled and regulated and
taxed.”

Taking marijuana off the streets would also help get the drug away
from kids, who Myrden agrees, shouldn’t be smoking pot. But right now
a kid on the street has an easier time obtaining marijuana than a
licensed medical user, she said.

Myrden said marijuana’s classification as an hallucinogen is an
obstacle to legalization. “That’s ridiculous,” she said. “I’ve never
hallucinated, and I’ve never heard of anyone who has hallucinated.”

Nor does marijuana cause cancer; quite the opposite, she argued.
“Marijuana fights cancer. There have been numerous studies showing it
fights cancer,” she said.

In Boston, associate professor emeritus of psychiatry Dr. Lester
Grinspoon says the toxicity levels of marijuana are so negligible that
the harm ratio of the drug has never been determined. “You can die of
alcohol poisoning, but you can’t die of an overdose from smoking
cannabis,” he said in a phone interview with The Community Press.
“There has never been a death from it. You can’t kill a person from an
overdose of marijuana, it can’t be done.”

When Grinspoon wrote his book “Marijuana Reconsidered” in 1971, he
predicted that prohibition would be ended within 10 years. He was
disappointed his prediction did not come true, but is convinced the
time frame has merely been extended.

“I see many people are learning about this, especially through medical
marijuana, because they see a parent, or a friend using it
medicinally, and they say to themselves for the first time, ‘well,
what is all the fuss about? Why should this be prohibited? She uses
this for her MS and not only does she not have spasms anymore, she’s
in a good mood.’”

The way to approach marijuana is to regulate it in the same way
alcohol is regulated, Grinspoon said, noting that in the United States
a store owner who sells alcohol to underage users risks losing both
his licence and his livelihood.

Unfortunately, there are many people who retain “a vested interest” in
keeping prohibition in place. The outcome of this prohibition of
marijuana can be seen in the lives of the millions of people in the
United States who have had their aspirations and careers blighted as a
result of what are often minor possession charges, Grinspoon said.

“But what is the government to do now, say ‘we’re wrong and we
apologize?’ Look how long it took the US government to apologize to
Japanese-American citizens for their treatment during the war.
Governments don’t like to admit they are wrong.”

In Burlington, Myrden is optimistic the 30-year fight to legalize
marijuana in Canada will be successful.
 
“I know it will. I’m just one of thousands of people who work hard
every day to get it legalized and regulated. Canada is a very
progressive country, so I think we do have a chance.
 
 
Quote from Dr. Lester Grinspoon:
 
“There has never been a death from it. You can’t kill a person from an
overdose of marijuana, it can’t be done.”

Allison's Latest BLOG ... (9.14.08)

Just thought I would send out my most recent Interview with a Newspaper in Peterborough, Ontario...

Doesn't help that they spelled my last name wrong... Myrd"e"n...
Either way -  Enjoy!
 
Love and a squish,
 
 
Alison
xx

 CN ON: Medical Marijuana Users Face Continued Uncertainty

URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n860/a06.html
Newshawk: http://www.medpot.net/
 Votes: 0
Pubdate: Fri, 12 Sep 2008
Source: Community Press, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2008 Osprey Media
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/AaEnOqOj
Website: http://www.communitypress.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1717
Author: Mark Hoult

MEDICAL MARIJUANA USERS FACE CONTINUED UNCERTAINTY

Part III of a four-part series on the medical use of marijuana

Although Fewer Than 3,000 Canadians Are Licensed To Use Medical Marijuana, It's Estimated That Between 400,000 And One Million People In The Country Use Cannabis As Medication.  The Following Is The Third In A Series Of Articles About The Use Of Marijuana To Treat Medical Conditions.

Trent Hills - Alison Myrdon has been fighting the encroachment of multiple sclerosis since she was first diagnosed at the age of 13.

When she was a young woman doctors warned her she would be in a nursing home by the age of 40.  But at the age of 45, Myrdon has defied the prognosis and carries on fighting the degenerative disease, with the help of what she and thousands of other Canadians now regard as nature's wonder drug cannabis, more commonly known as marijuana.

Myrdon is a retired corrections officer, now living in Burlington, who is also a member of LEAP ( Law Enforcement Against Prohibition ), an international organization that believes in the regulated legalization of drugs.  Her odyssey from corrections officer to medical marijuana user and impassioned public speaker has been one involving both pain and discovery.

Myrdon also suffers from a condition called trigeminal neuralgia, or tic douloureux, which results in intense facial pain.  "It is excruciating, a violent pain in the face," Myrdon said in an interview with The Community Press.

After being diagnosed, Myrdon visited numerous doctors and tried numerous pain killers including cocaine and heroin.  Nothing worked.  And she suffered from the effects of the medication as well as the neuralgia, losing 11 pounds in one week.  "Finally I stopped and said, 'no more,' " she said.

Like many medical marijuana users, Myrdon didn't know much about the drug and was afraid to try it.  But one day she woke up to discover a friend had left some marijuana on her pillow.  The friend convinced her to try it, and she began doing extensive research on the plant's medicinal benefits.  Myrdon obtained her first prescription for medical marijuana in 1989 and soon became one of the first 20 people in Canada to obtain a licence under the federal government's new medical marijuana access regulations.  She has gone on to become an outspoken advocate of medical marijuana use, speaking across North America about the medicinal benefits of cannabis and promoting its legalization and regulation.

Myrdon has also launched a website, The Medical Marijuana Mission, "to give voice to people who have medical marijuana licences." Like other licensed users she greatly emphasizes the benefits of smoking marijuana as an alternative to traditional medications.  She has discovered that for many conditions, including her own, marijuana is either a more effective treatment, or produces fewer debilitating side effects than traditional pharmaceuticals, including the highly addictive pain killer morphine.

Myrdon describes the effects of marijuana on her MS and tic douloureux as "tremendous." The marijuana has replaced dozens of pills, and lowered her doses of morphine.  Now she prefers to fight her battle with a combination of vitamin and cannabis therapy, augmented by Omega 3 and other essential fatty acids from fish oils.  The combination has been more than effective, she said.  Rather than being confined to a nursing home, she is able to get out of her wheelchair and walk with the help of a cane.

"I can even get up and dance, depending on the strain of marijuana," she said, stressing that it's not always possible to obtain the kind of marijuana she needs because, as an illegal substance, "it is being held hostage on the black market."

Myrdon has one of the largest prescriptions for medical marijuana use in the country.  She is allowed to grow 137 plants, and smokes about two-and-a-half pounds of cannabis each month.  But she and other licensed users live with constant uncertainty because of marijuana's illegal status and the stigma that hangs like a pall over its use.  So ingrained is the negative attitude that the federal government grows the marijuana it sells to licensed users in an underground cavern, instead of outside or in a greenhouse, Myrdon observed.

In Trent Hills, medical marijuana user Wendal Grant uses about up to five grams of marijuana every day to relieve the symptoms of the Crohn's disease he developed five years ago.  He also is familiar with the stigma associated with marijuana, and the uncertainty of being a licensed medical marijuana user.  The process of obtaining a legal exemption and a license is long and involved, and even finding a doctor to support the application can be difficult, Grant said.

Some physicians are skeptical, but most are simply leery of having their names associated with a substance that remains illegal, despite the federal government program for medical marijuana use, he stated.

Medical marijuana users must fight to prove marijuana gives them relief from pain, nausea, incontinence and other symptoms of their disease, and they must fight to obtain the support of the medical community, Grant said.  And licensed users must also be ready to allow the police into their homes to ensure they are not growing and using more marijuana than is specified on their licenses.

"Can you imagine someone coming into your house to make sure you are not abusing your prescription medication?," he asked.

For Myrdon, Grant and other medical marijuana users the only solution to their dilemma is controlled legalization.  "We support a controlled and regulated situation, the same as exists for alcohol," Grant said. 


Allison's Latest BLOG ... (9.11.08)

A woman is making progress with Cape Breton Hospital to allow her sick Father to smoke his marijuana meds in hospital. Story below.
 
Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to fill you all in on the latest going on in our fight for policy change within our local hospital.

I met with the CEO of the Cape Breton Regional Hospital today and things went very well for the most part.

We discussed the possibility of using a room in the hospital once used as a smoking room and properly ventilated so as to eliminate risk to staff and other patients, which, we realize, is a genuine concern.

We also discussed the possibility of the use of vaporizers within the facility and he was VERY interested in this possibility.

He was receptive and respectable to our ideas and concerns and has promised to take the discussion to the powers that be and get back to us all soon as to what may or may not be doable to help these patients receive their meds in a safe and dignified manner. Please, everyone, cross your fingers and toes that something may come about soon and keep on praying for the sick out there.

Thanks again to all of you for your continued support and wishes for all the best in 2009 to all of you.

Sincerely,

Cyndi and the Clarke Family
 
 Mary's Joint facebook causes about the vaporizer.

The Conservatives are doing MAJOR damage to this Country.  They are losing control of their Speakers in the House of Commons among other things.  Today was a good example.  A grief stricken father spoke up about the War, his son wh passd away "in vain"  and those who fight in Iraq for Canada.  A speaker for the Conservatives said this father was a Liberal or "Iggy" supporter in anote to some Media without (referring to Michael Ignatieff the Liberal MP).  Harper AGAIN had to apologize for the people of his Party.
 
Please have your voice heard this Election and vote for Jack Layton and the New Democratic Party of Canada -
 
Stephen Harper has already pulled the funding for Research into cannabis as medicine in our Country.  I can't imagine how much more damage he will do to critically and chronically illl people like me!
 
With the Conservatives in power and the Federal Election looming we are threatened in many issues once again.
 
Please get out and Vote for the NDP this Election.  You can be sure your voice will be heard!
 
On October 14th, 2008 Vote NDP and Jack Layton.  NOT the Conservatives!
 
Thank you.
 
Sincerely,
 
 
Alison Myrden
Federal Medical Marijuna Exemptee in Canada (for now)
The Medical Marijuana Mission
Burlington, Ontario
Canada

Allison's Latest BLOG ... (9.11.08)

Hey everybody!

Whhooa whoo! Arrived home late last week from an absolutely incredible week at HEMPFEST 2008 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. It was phenomenal. I am so tired I could barely walk and barely had a voice when I got home, but it was well worth it.

So, caregiver and driver Gary Lynch, federally licensed patient Derek Pedro and I got up to HEMPFEST in Sault Ste. Marie on Wednesday, August 20th mid afternoon to a surprise spot check with approximately 30 Police Officers walking around. We saw a huge command post set up with a trailer which a few undercovers took off to when we pulled up.

Immediately Constable Kelly came up to the passenger window and introduced himself as I was sitting in our 34 foot rented RV, and then asked us for our insurance and ownership for the RV, and personal identification from all three of us. That was weird. We were told it was an alcohol spot check and we told them none of us were drinking.... why in the world would they stop us?

Next, we were a little surprised when Constable Kelly came back to my window and asked us if we would please bring our cannabis out to their portable table? We were very surprised and apprehensively stepped out, bags in hand. I went first. I stepped up to the table where a few officers were standing and noticed an electronic weigh scale. The first thing I asked was, what is THAT for? Immediately Constable Kelly told me it was a scale. I knew that! I told him, I meant what did they THINK they were doing? I told him this was a peaceful gathering and no one was out to cause trouble. A precaution, he said. I guessed my weed at four ounces, as that was all I could scrounge up to take with me. It weighed in at 3.9 ounces. Good guess I said. They all laughed and agreed then went immediately back to being stone faced and unemotional. Gary, Derek and I were angry. How dare they detain us for almost 45 minutes for this? I handed them some brochures and business cards from LEAP and gave them a little lecture on the taxpayers’ money they were wasting and the resources and the misappropriated spending this all involved, Disgusting, I said to them as we drove away.

I hadn't been at HEMPFEST for even a hour when another licensed patient, a young guy in his late twenties named Richard, whose parent's were also exempt, came up to my RV begging me to help him. Seems as he was coming through the spot check, he misplaced his card that he just got in the mail and they kept his medicine - all 30 grams.

We jumped into his car and booted back up the road to resolve this nasty situation and fast. We drove up the the spot check and pulled over on our own, as I was leaning out the door asking for Constable Kelly to step forward. Within moments an officer named Brian and Officer Kelly were there. Officer Brian proceeded to tell me that he followed all of my blogs and my work closely and that some day we would be in agreement. I knew it would take until he retired. Richard immediately inquired about his missing weed. They all already knew I was there. They could all see and hear me. I was MAD!

Constable Kelly told me he would look into it and would be right back. Minutes later, he returned with my business card, wrote something to himself on the back and put it in his wallet. He then turned to Richard and told him he could pick up his medicine at the local library the next morning IF he contacted Health Canada to confirm who he was. What Jerks! They took the weed to begin with and the kid even had his OLD card with him! I was upset but we settled for that and drove back to the party.

The One Gram Sprint, the Best Bong contest, the Three Legged Hippy Race and much, much more. What a riot! The next morning was out of control. Just so happens, when Richard went to the Library to pick up his meds, eleven grams of his 30 grams of cannabis were missing. Richard was furious and so was I. Turns out when the local Media came the next day, I wasn't out of bed to speak to them about it and no one else thought to report it. So, I phoned respected international journalist Dean Beeby, from Canadian Press, as soon as I got home and told him about it. They have no clue who they are messing with! This is not the end.

It rained twice and I didn't even feel it. I couldn't say the same for Derek. He wasn't feeling well for a few days running. Bless his beautiful, compassionate, generous heart. I hope he feels better this week....

For the remainder of my most recent LEAP Blog please go to:

http://www.leap.cc/cms/index.php?name=Blogs&file=display&id=332

Love and stuff,

Alison
xx

Mary's "Joint" .... (9.1.08)

The Health Canada medical marijuana access program has many major problems. The most common complaint about the government program that we receive is from Canadians who want to use cannabis legally for medical purposes, yet are unable to find a doctor or specialist to complete the necessary paperwork.
If your doctor refuses to complete and sign the necessary Health Canada forms for you to be legally authorized to use cannabis for health purposes, here's what you can do.
Canadian Lawyer Paul Lewin is initiating a major constitutional challenge to the Health Canada MMAR program based on inaccessibility of medical cannabis to many Canadians. It will be in court during September 2008.
Paul Lewin is now seeking individuals in Canada who's doctors/specialists won't sign their government forms for the legal Health Canada medical cannabis access program.
Here's his contact information:
Lawyer Paul Lewin:
Tel: 416-499-7945
Fax: 416-756-3663
Email: paullewin@on.aibn.com
 Hi gang, miss you!
Mary Crow

Alison's Latest BLOG .... (8.27.08)

Here's my latest...

Enjoy!


Alison
xx


John Doe Radio Volume 3 Show 9

http://www.weedwatch.com/

icon for podpress John Doe Radio Volume 3 Show 9 [41:22m]: Play Now |
Play in Popup | Download (3212)

This week on JDR!

We talk with Alison Myrden from The Medical Marijuana Mission and
L.E.A.P. (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition), NORML News,
and The Stash.

Featuring music from:

Citizen - Outta This World
Trew ft. Simon P and Mike Carleon - Let me have a turn
Ill E Gal - MaryJane
Question ft. Donnie Cross & Sean Kingston - On the Block
The Individuals - This Girl

Alisons's Latest BLOG .... (7.28.08)

The Fight for Our Medicine



It’s been another rough last while for me but here goes…

In Canada, the latest in the News department out of Vancouver, British Columbia is that the Country is considering as usual handing the Order of Canada to a person worthy of the title and they immediately focused on Philipp Owen, Vancouver’s former, very vocal, highly controversial Mayor.

This I am excited about. You see Philippe Owen is also physically challenged like me. We both use wheelchairs although - he can’t get out of his. This man has been a HUGE advocate for drug law reform in Canada over his years as Mayor of one of the most notoriously drug infested neighbourhoods in all of Canada, the downtown lower East side in Vancouver, B.C.

A few months ago federal Health Minister Tony Clement was trying desperately to prove that there was no need for a safe injection site such as INSITE in Vancouver or anywhere in Canada. Great that the people of our Country proved him WRONG!

Canada has been on the cutting edge of Drug Law Reform around the World for almost a decade and - the World IS listening.

People across Canada are slowly realizing that drugs are a Health Issue not a Legal one and that NOONE should be arrested or incarcerated for ANY drug. The harder and more potent the drug, the more the ultimate need for full legalization and COMPLETE control.

This story below reminds me a bit of my fight to use any drug that would alleviate the excruciating pain I have in my face and head twenty four seven. Year ago, Doctor’s gave me horrible amounts of cocaine and heroin to help take some of the terrible pain away that I have been suffering from for the last sixteen years called tic douloureux, supposedly “the worst pain known to medicine.”

I felt like I, too, needed to have the world to understand the need for all drugs to be accessible to those who were critically ill and/or suffering severe pain. Kudos from me personally to former Mayor Philippe Owen for being our voice.

Thank you again for standing up for our rights…

For the remainder of my Blog please go to:

http://www.leap.cc/cms/index.php?name=Blog...play&id=317

Love and stuff,


Alison
xx

Alison's Latest BLOG ....  (7.10.08)

Here's my latest.
 
Check this out....
 
They Billed me as a "Leap Representative"  and put LEAP's website underneath my name...
 
 
CH NEWS VIDEO: Medical Marijuana and Human Rights in Ontario Bars
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIOi_6o9gjY%20

Love and a Squish,
 
 

Ali
xx

Alison's Latest BLOG ....  (6.26.08)


A Leader in the Movement
 
Canada remains at the forefront of Drug Reform with INSIGHT - Canada’s first Safe Injection/Intravenous Drug Facility.
Some cutting edge news came down a few weeks ago that I thought was just too important to miss and which none of us at LEAP Blogged about in detail…
Canada’s and the World’s first Safe Injection Site - INSITE - is being threatened once again with Government initiated closure and we as a Country - have stood up in protest!

Letters to Editors of local and National newspapers, demonstrations, meetings, conferences and the like are being attended all across our Nation in protest of the possible complete and final closure of this ground breaking Institution.
The people involved in the Drug Reform issues in North America are familiar with the “idea” of a safe injection site, but mainstream Society is afraid that such a place will create more and more addicts looking for their next free fix. This would not be the case I can assure you…. There was never an overdose on heroin until it became ILLEGAL.
“Feature: BC Supreme Court Rules Vancouver Safe Injection Site to Stay Open, Federal Drug Law Controlling It Unconstitutional”
http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/538/bc_supreme_court_says_vancouver_insite_stays_open
Then, three days later, on May 30, 2008, this….
For the remainder of this Blog please go to:
http://www.leap.cc/cms/index.php?name=Blogs&file=display&id=300
Love and stuff,

Alison
xx


Alison's most recent BLOG... (4.9.08)

Here's my most recent Blog.

"Dying for Compassion"

Hi. It's been a rough last few weeks reading of stories like the one I'm going to write about here.

 
The story that I'm going to tell you here is the story of Jayci Yaeger and is one of both triumph and sadness. Hopefully people will take much from this Blog, including the fact that people who are caught up
in the world of illegal drugs - do not belong in the legal system. How many times do we have to say, "there is no room for drugs in a legal realm!" Where in the Lord's name - is Compassion??
 
This week I will reiterate things I have said in past weeks that drugs are a HEALTH ISSUE and should be treated as such.
 
In this particular instance, a man by the name of Jason Yeager (Jayci's father), is now, today, in a federal prison in South Dakota where he's serving the last year of a five-year drug sentence for methamphetamines. Here is a Blog written about Jason Yeager's on going legal and personal problems regarding his daughter Jayci's immediate
need for the love and devotion from brave family and friends all over the United States and Canada while she battles a deadly and incurable disease.
 
Jason Yaeger's Blog
 
she-dies/http://lifeofjason.com/2008/03/21/dying-girl-denied-chance-to-see-father-before-\
 
So many people from all over the United States and Canada wrote, contacted and or called the Yeager's to show their unending support and compassion for both him and his dying daughter, the response was
totally unbelievable and somewhat overwhelming for all involved.
 
News from March 20, 2008
 
Tale Of Dying Girl's Imprisoned Dad Moves Viewers
 
http://www.ketv.com/family/15643474/detail.html
 
It seems even the President of the United States George W. Bush was himself involved and actually denied this poor man a visit with his ten year old dying daughter
 
March 21, 2008
 
Jailed Dad Asks Bush For Clemency
 
http://www.ketv.com/news/15656590/detail.html
 
"He said that asking for presidential clemency is a last resort. He wanted his transfer to a halfway house in Council Bluffs, scheduled for August, to be moved up earlier. Then he asked for a furlough that
could last longer than the a few hours he could get with an escorted trip. The warden denied both, saying it was not viewed as an extraordinary circumstance."
 
"I don't know how he doesn't think this is an extraordinary justification," Jason Yaeger said.
 
The above statement is just a sad reflection of exactly HOW President Bush treats the U.S. Drug War prisoners and their loved ones. After all, it would be nice if President Bush would remember that - these
are people too and doesn't the President himself have a sorted history with legal and illegal substances? The pot should certainly not be calling the kettle black in this instance.
 
Finally on March 26, 2008, Jason was allowed a release from Prison to visit with Jayci in her weakened state....
 
For the remainder please go to:
 
http://leap.cc/cms/index.php?name=Blogs&file=display&id=263
 
Thank you once again...
 
Love and a squish to you and yours,
 
Alison
xx
Alison's most recent BLOG... (3.29.08)

"Record Drug Overdoses Sadden Me"

http://www.leap.cc/cms/index.php?name=Blogs&file=display&id=258

Prohibition is causing too many people to die as an anonymous statistic.

We should be shocked and dismayed when the Center of Disease Control releases statistics showing skyrocketing overdoses.

An excellent article by Drug War Chronicles "Drug Overdose Deaths Are Going Through the Roof -- Is Anybody Watching?" made me more aware of this
growing tragedy.

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/528/overdose_deaths_increasing

Another friend Who is Fighting the GOOD Fight. (3.18.08)

We've been in contact now with an old friend of ours. Her name is Alison and she is a member of LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, www.leap.cc ) and The Marijuana Mission (www.themarijuanamission.com)

She runs a BLOG on LEAP's web site. Please take the time to veiw what she has to say. She's been doing this for a while and we here ay the L.C.S, think we all could learn a little something from her.

Here's a little sample of what your getting.....

Hi everyone....

Here is my most recent LEAP Blog. 
For those who are NOT aware I am a Retired Corrections Officer (I retired in 1995 due to MS) who trained Staff in Court weekly while on the job. 
I take my many years of experience and write my Blogs accordingly. 
Here again, is this weeks... 
Thanx in advance to everyone who passes this on!
  
Alison
xx   
 
LEAP Blog March 11, 2008

The Drug War vs. My Utopia


My Blog this week, is another sad example of the casualties in the Drug War, plus a bird`s eye view of my Utopia.
The very reasons below are why I do what I do. This insanity MUST end!
What would the U.S. be like if drugs WERE actually legalized and regulated I wonder?
The following wouldn't happen in MY perfect World as the public can be heard asking "Why did we wait so long?"
A man recently released from prison on drug related charges, killed six people in his family, including his brother and two of his
brother's children and critically wounds three of his brother's other children. What the hell was going ON here???
Brother charged with killing 6 in Tennessee
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080309/ap_on_re_us/memphis_shooting
Things are supposed to be getting better in our communities and ourn Country according to this report below:
US IA: "Task War Focus is Drugs"
http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n241/a04.html?201
According to this article, 32 people were either awaiting their time in Court or were being "actively investigated" from January 2008. It
is now March 2008. Thirty two people in ninety days. That's more than one person every three days. In one County, one State, not even one
full Continent. Just for drugs. These statistics CAN'T be real…. That was 'better' because Police were arresting and incarcerating so many
"Guilty" people. We were all concerned about that. Jailing GUILTY people....
For the remainder of my Blog, please go to:
http://www.leap.cc/cms/index.php?name=Blogs&file=display&id=250

Love and a squish,

Alison
xx

Mary's "Joint".(3.15.07)
Hi All!
Below is a letter I received from Jack Layton. He is looking in to the "Volcano Vaporize" for patients. I need all your help right now to keep the issue hot!  Please send letters supporting my effort and tell him why you think this is important. We can make this happen! H.E.M.P. Help Every Marijuana Patient. Write to his web site, he is also on face book. Thanks, any support would be greatly appreciated at this time!
                                                                                                                        Peace,
                                                                                                                             Freedom Crow
Dear Mary,

Thank you for your email and for raising this issue with me. We are not
currently aware of the Volcano Vaporizer and will certainly have a look
into it. The NDP definitely believes that any drugs or devices that have
been scientifically demonstrated to be indispensable for the health of
Canadians should be made available through our health care system.

Mary, I want to assure you that the federal NDP team is determined to
help implement health care solutions and deliver to Canadians the
innovative health care services they deserve. We are committed to
working with this minority Parliament to achieve these goals.

Once again, thank you for getting in touch.

Be well,

Jack

Jack Layton, MP (Toronto-Danforth)
Leader, New Democratic Party of Canada

Mary's "Joint".(2.19.07)

I am advocating for medical marijuana patients. Everyone is invited to see the
information I've collected on the "Volcano" vaporizer. I have studies,company
information,video demo.", and more! Also petition for Canadian residents. It's
going to the gov't requesting they cover the cost of vaporizers!

---------------------- Google Groups Information ----------------------

You can accept this invitation by clicking the following URL:

http://groups.google.com/group/marijuanavaporizers/sub?s=SNPwYQgAAABZ9qiV7t96R1PYJ0wEic-L&hl=en

Access to the group on the web requires a Google Account. If you don't have a
Google Account set up yet, you'll first need to create an account before you
can access the group. You can create an account at:

http://www.google.com/accounts/NewAccount?service=groups2&dEM=nypdgreen%40hotmail.com&continue=http%3A%2F%2Fgroups.google.com%2Fgroup%2Fmarijuanavaporizers%3Fhl%3Den

Mary's "Joint".(1.11.07)

Medical Marijuana Users get More Freedoms

 By SUN MEDIA NEWS SERVICES

http://64.4.39.121/att/GetAttachment.aspx?file=6290437d-b5e0-4f77-a8de-58d36d53a42a.html&ct=dGV4dC9odG1s&name=NDc2NzAxMS1zdW4uaHRtbA_3d_3d&inline=0&rfc=0&empty=False&imgsrc=&hm__login=nypdgreen&hm__domain=hotmail.com&ip=10.1.106.115&d=d792&mf=0&hm__ts=Tue%2c%2018%20Mar%202008%2014%3a32%3a10%20GMT&hm__ha=ab752bbbf1fefb54343ca1fa567b11e8467789a7&oneredir=1

Mary's "Joint".(1.6.07)

I am trying to compile all the letters,testimonies, and signatures I can to push through a motion for the Government to supply all Canadian medicinal marijuana patients with medical grade vaporizers. Help me help you!!!!!
I also have a facebook/ causes, page "Request Canada Government Cover Vaporizer Costs for Medical Marijuana Patients" If you have facebook it would help a lot if you could add this on to it! Thanks for everything. I hope we can win on this important matter!
Peace,
Freedom Crow

Mary's "Joint".(11.28.07)

Dec. 17:Canadian National Day of Demonstration Against Prohibition and Bill C-26

http://cannabisculture.com/articles/5122.html

Mary's "Joint".(11.27.07)

Stephen Harper to Wage 'Mandatory Minimum Jail' Marijuana War in Canada.?.?

http://cannabisculture.com/articles/5120.html

Mary's "Joint".(11.21.07)

Letters and help needed‏.!.!

 Hi everyone! This is an update on Kayla. I'm sorry to say that she was diagnosed with a severe form of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Looks like she expected to be hospitalized for months, until they can stabilize her condition. Christmas will be hardest. Very tough road ahead for a 13 year old girl. A lot of you know what dealing with a chronic, painful, disorder is like personally. That's what I was hoping to get help with. She needs your personal stories of overcoming and persevering and looking forward. Send them to me, I think the personal touch would mean more right now. So please address if you will to
                                                                               Kayla
                                                                               c/o Mary
                                                                               199 A Sutherland Cres. #205
                                                                               Cobourg, Ontario
                                                                                                 K9A 5L9
 
There's also the Kisses for Kayla fundraising. Chocolate kisses wrapped up pretty with Kisses for Kayla on the tag. Also the Dance December 21,2007
 
Details about the fundraiser is on the blog site. Thanks everyone!  Your prayers help too!
                                                                                                        Sincerely,
                                                                                                                 Mary

Mary's "Joint".(11.20.07)

Nicholas Simons : Members of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia‏

I wrote to this gentalman. He took med. marijuana to legislature addressing it should be available for free to those who can't afford. He said it fell on deaf ears and that they are determined to do it their way, selling stuff from mine shaft. He wants to do something about it. At least he's one politician on our side.

http://www.leg.bc.ca/mla/38thParl/simons.htm

Mary's "Joint".(11.20.07)

Vancouver Island Compassion Club Society‏

This is a constitutional fight that the Vancouver Island Compassion Society is challenging in court. They were busted for a grow op, growing for patients belonging to thier club. Very smilar circumstances to the L.C.S. raid. It will be interesting to see how far they go with it. Could set a presedence.

http://www.medicalmarihuana.ca/vics.html

Mary's "Joint".(11.20.07)

The Lieutenant Governor of Ontario - His Honour‏

Wonder if this could do anything?!? Maybe he would be honorary patron for the Compassion clubs? Why not contact him and ask.?.?

http://www.lt.gov.on.ca/En/Causes/Patronage.html

Mary's "Joint".(11.20.07)

Wow, does this site carry a whack load of useful information for those that are dealing with our judicial system. And what credentials.!.!

Very good!!!!!!!

http://www.thepotlawhasfallen.ca/

Mary's "Joint".11.17.07)

Ok friends, it looks as if one of our friends needs a little help. It's heart breaking when you hear stories like this that involve a little person. So let's see what we can do for this little girl.

My niece has been transferred to Toronto hospital. She has been seriously ill for a month and doctors can't find what the problem is. The family is extremely worried about this beautiful young lady. They are incurring a lot of debt from medical expenses. My sister started a fund raiser. That is what the attachment is about. "KISSES FOR KAYLA" packets of chocolate kisses made up for the cause and she is selling them on her website. Also details about a fund raising dance in December. If anyone can help in any way, please contact my sister's website on here Thanks Very Much, Mary "J"

http://www.greatcanadiangiftbaskets.com/productInformation/index.cfm/nPrdId/54468

Mary's "Joint".11.17.07)

American Psychiatric Association Assembly Unanimously Backs Medical Marijuana

Very Good news!

http://64.4.39.121/att/GetAttachment.aspx?file=a7860449-83c6-467a-ab51-ac00d928744e.htm&ct=dGV4dC9odG1s&name=bWVkX3BzeWNfMTE3MDcucGhwLmh0bQ_3d_3d&inline=0&rfc=0&empty=False&imgsrc=&hm__login=nypdgreen&hm__domain=hotmail.com&ip=10.1.106.115&d=d792&mf=0&hm__ts=Mon%2c%2019%20Nov%202007%2016%3a36%3a47%20GMT&hm__ha=019c74f3a2d252cbe6e91752980a6386dd25622a&oneredir=1

2008 Global Marijuana March (11.15.07)

We're giving you a heads up, and a lot of time to prepare for, 2008 Global Marijuana March. Now we were speaking with Mary, who was hoping we could put together something for here in London. Well, I know our friends at The Organic Traveller (343 Richmond st.) have tried over the past few years to put something together, but they always fell short when it came to getting people organized. I spoke with them and they are willing to house a committee for meetings. So if we get enough response, they are willing to try again. If not, we (The LCS staff) have gone to Toronto in the past, where they get hundreds, if not, thousands out for the March there. Again please let us know if you would like to put something together here. info@londoncompassionsociety.com

Our friends are Fighting.... How about you.?.? (11.15.07)

Mary has been in contact with our friends on the "Freedom Tour" and they seem to be educating lots of people from coast to coast in our great country. Thru their tour then have felt some bumps in the road, (and, unfortunately, sometimes on their head. Check their welcoming party in Vernon) but they are still rolling on. Check them out at http://freedomtour.ca

So what do you think, so far.?.? (11.8.07)

So it's been almost a month since we added "Mary's Joint" and we would like to hear from you now. Have any suggestings.?.? Any thoughts on the site in whole.?.? Please feel free to comment on what you think is good, or not so good, about our site. info@londoncompassionsociety.com

Till Then, Be Well.

LCS Staff

Mary's "Joint". (11.6.07)

Medical Marijuana Advocate Kills Herself‏.

http://cannabisnews.com/news/23/thread23438.shtml

Mary's "Joint". (11.6.07)

Drew Carey endorses marijuana

http://entertainment1.sympatico.msn.ca/TV_Guide/TVNews/Articles/071102_drew_carey_MH

Mary's "Joint". (11.5.07)

Drug Development Technology - Acomplia (Rimonabant) - Investigational Agent for the Management of Obesity‏

For weight loss. Cannaboids and also supposed to help stop smoking. New cannabis derived product. Like I said. I'll find articles and maybe run a few a week. Be cool to keep updated with new news.

http://www.drugdevelopment-technology.com/projects/rimonabant/

Mary's "Joint". (11.5.07)

Medical Marijuana Information Resource Centre - News Item‏

http://www.medicalmarijuanainformation.com/news/newsItem.php?articleID=328

Mary's "Joint".(11.4.07)

Jack Layton and the NDP: challenges Stephen Harper's agenda‏

Challenge sent by Jack Layton. eNDProhibition is trying to win him around on the marijuana issue. I asked how he felt about this issue. No response yet.
Will keep you posted. His e mail address is on here. He is one of them we need to flood with letters appealing to him. Send to him people! From: "Layton, Jack - M.P." Layton.J@parl.gc.ca
Sent: Saturday, November 03, 2007 5:00 PM
To: "Layton, Jack - M.P." Layton.J@parl.gc.ca
Subject: Jack Layton and the NDP: challenges Stephen Harper's agenda

"For Dion and the Liberals to swallow hard and allow passage of not only the Throne Speech but also bills with which they fundamentally disagree -
on crime, Kyoto and Afghanistan - (they) could concede to Jack Layton and the NDP the mantle of official opposition."

Terry Cooke, Hamilton Spectator, 20 October 2007
Dear Friend:
Further to previous correspondence with you, I am writing today to let you know why my party and I did not support Stephen Harper's agenda laid out
in the government's recent Throne Speech.
This Conservative plan continues to take Canada down the wrong road on key issues. A majority of Canadians are looking for a change in direction on
Afghanistan, a clear commitment on climate change and recognition of the hardships average families face despite signs of economic growth.
The Harper Throne Speech failed to chart the right path on main NDP priorities: no new direction on Afghanistan, watering down the re-written
Clean Air Act and no commitment to close the growing prosperity gap hurting working families.
A Throne Speech is a rare but important opportunity to indicate whether you support the direction of the government or not. While Stephen Harper
was looking for a mandate, he did not get the support of New Democrats.Rather, it was Stéphane Dion, struggling to save his leadership, and his
Liberal MPs, who helped to pass Mr. Harper's agenda.
I am offering a bold alternative to the Throne Speech in which I outline three key elements of our vision to build the Canada of our dreams:
prosperous and green, where no one is left behind. You can learn more about the NDP's agenda by checking out the following links:
http://www.ndp.ca/page/5821 and http://www.ndp.ca/page/5791.
From the start of this Conservative minority parliament, the NDP has remained focused in its work to move Canada forward for greater results
for today's families. We are now emerging as the Effective Opposition. New Democrats know what we believe in. We will continue to stand united to
defend our principles and do what is best for working and middle-class families.
Again, I appreciate having this opportunity to let you know about our work. All the best.


Sincerely,

Jack Layton, MP (Toronto-Danforth)
Leader, Canada's New Democrats

Mary's "Joint".(11.4.07)

The National Pain Foundation: My Treatment: What Does the Future Hold for Marijuana for Pain?‏

http://www.nationalpainfoundation.org/MyTreatment/MyTreatment_Cannabinoids.asp

Mary's "Joint". (11.2.07)

Arnold: No Drugs, Thanks! I'll Stick To Leaves

http://entertainment1.sympatico.msn.ca/Arnold+No+Drugs+Thanks+Ill+Stick+To+Leaves/Celebs/Dramarama/ContentPosting_Dramarama.aspx?isfa=1&newsitemid=10ec3f95-8b68-4f95-9109-09ce6c888018&feedname=RYAN_PORTER_GOSSIP&show=False&number=0&showbyline=True&subtitle=&detect=&abc=abc

Mary's "Joint". (10.31.07)

Hey friends, I wrote this guy, he was one that attended a forum where he met with section 56 patients and marijuana advocates. He publishes in TO star a few times a week. He had written about a patient, what her life was about and her concerns- ie- gov't. He said first of several he planned to publish in the Star. I wrote about London predicament and my story. This is his response. Letters man. Let him know. Fill in the blanks. Sounds like he's taking it up as a personal cause. Maybe? Take Care, Mary Mary,
Thanks for the note. I will do more.
cheers,
Joe Fiorito If any one has stories or letters that they would like to send Joe, you can send them here and we'll forword them on for you. I read the letter that Mary sent and it really does sound like this guy is on our side.

Mary's "Joint". (10.27.07)

Very good! NDP site about ending prohibition and drug war. Asking for members.

http://www.endprohibition.ca/

Mary's "Joint". (10.27.07)

New dosage limits for medical marijuana: But where's the science?

http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/177/6/556?eaf

Mary's "Joint". (10.27.07)

Words from Mary....

I am a legal user. Good for me, not so good for less fortunate but just as needy. I obtained my meds from The London Compassion Society before it was closed down. I've since gotten my gov't card and have a grower. Two problems. The gov't is thinking of doing away with growers. Big mistake, they can't possibly address pain the way a personal grower can. He is able to try different strains and find the ones that manage the symptoms best. Everyone is different. It is one weed covers all is what the gov't thinks. They fail to recognize that SWITCHING strains IS PART OF THE THERAPY!

The second problem is the poor buggers left out in the cold who don't have a Doc who will sign them up for a gov't card. We are talking thousands of suffers who are having to go insane with pain because the meds have been removed. Most, like me, found prescriptions caused internal bleeding or affected them mentally adversely, or even caused more pain. In my case it caused the disease to gain more ground. With the closure of the Society they have no choice but to get street weed that is often too weak to be affective enough.

What is the problem? Will the big pharmaceutical companies lose too much if people caught on to the value and effectiveness of medical marijuana? Is it too simple of a solution for people in pain and distress? Is it more of a benefit to politicize this whole issue and ignore the real issue here.? People are suffering and having there only choice left to them, taken away or limited. The gov't can't figure out how best to monopolize and capitalize on it, bottom line. Hell of a reason to keep people suffering. They continue to stall the real solution. Clubs that bring intimacy ,dignity and real help and compassion.

Thanks for bringing attention to this issue, especially in light of the drug war madness going on right now.

Sincerely,

Mary

Mary's "Joint". (10.26.07)

Stephen Harper to Wage 'Mandatory Minimum Jail' Marijuana War in Canada

An election call is imminent... the Canadian Conservatives want to campaign on tough new anti-marijuana laws mandating jail for growers and more money for propaganda & cops

This week in the Canadian Parliament, Stephen Harper's Health Minister Tony Clement will introduce legislation to punish the cannabis culture with MANDATORY MINIMUM sentences for growing marijuana, increase funding for propaganda denouncing cannabis use as "illegal" and "uncool", a reduction in funding for harm reduction, and an increase in funding for police enforcement.
Punishment of drug traffickers is the Conservative Party policy that has the most traction with the Conservative voter base in Canada and is the key issue that Conservatives are indicating they'd like an election call over.

by Marc Emery (02 Oct, 2007)

The opposition New Democrats will demand a scheme of taxation and regulation, and with former Cannabis Culture Magazine editor DANA LARSEN as a candidate for the NDP in the riding of Sunshine Coast/West Vancouver, Sea to Sky Country, the philosophical battle this election will be clear. Conservative Prohibitionists versus NDP Repealers.
The Liberal Party and the Bloc Quebecois, two parties who are in danger of losing seats to the Conservatives and NDP, will need to articulate their positions, for the Liberals it will be a party torn by division on the issue and disarray after shocking by-election losses in Quebec, and the Conservatives will be keen to exploit it. Expect 20 - 30 Liberals to side with the Conservatives to pass these shameful new jailing offenses for the pot people.
In a Canadian Parliamentary situation, the Conservatives will require 30 members of the opposition to support their new get-tough measures. Normally, 30 prohibitionist Liberals are easy to find, but it will be wounded Liberal leader Stephane Dion's job to keep his party on a consistent policy track and enforce it among his caucus, not easy and not likely. The introduced measure will get first reading and then proceed to Committee where opposition MP’s would be in the majority and it will be debated there, with delegations being heard.
However, in that period, the Conservative party will be looking to force the opposition to block government legislation so the Conservative leader Stephen Harper can call an election. With his get tough on marijuana campaign as an election platform, the Conservatives would need 38% of the vote to form a majority government. Even though 62% or more of the nation may vote against the Conservatives, we may end up with a Conservative majority -- ushering in the darkest times for the Canadian cannabis culture in our history.
Please help former Cannabis Culture magazine editor Dana Larsen's election campaign in the riding of Sunshine Coast/West Vancouver, Sea to Sky Country. He is running in Canada's federal election as the candidate for the anti-prohibitionist New Democratic Party (NDP).
To help Dana out in this very visible campaign on this very vital issue of cannabis prohibition, he will need your money. The more support and money Dana gets, the more weapons he can use to battle the Stephen Harper prohibitionists in this next election.
It will be our strategy at the BC Marijuana Party and Cannabis Culture magazine to urge all Canadians to give money, time, energy, and campaign for the New Democratic Party candidates in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Montreal, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, where the NDP is poised to take seats away from the Liberals and Conservatives.
In every riding in Canada, demand to know from all the candidates where they stand on the Extradition of the BC3 -- Greg Williams, Michelle Rainey, and Marc Emery.
Anyone in Canada can send a donation to Dana Larsen’s election campaign fund and receive the tax credit. You don't need to be an NDP member or live in his area to donate and get a Canadian federal tax credit. All donations result in a direct tax credit of up to 75%. This means that your donation of, say, $400 will result in a direct return to you of $300 with your 2007 tax return. You will have donated $400, and it only cost you $100 to do this.
The local NDP organization keeps 100% of federal political donations sent directly to the West Van/Sunshine Coast NDP mailbox. All of the money you send in between now and the federal election campaign will be spent directly on former CC editor Larsen's local election campaign. Cheques and Money Orders should be made out to "WV-SC NDP" and can be mailed to:


WV - SC NDP,
Box 65, Gibsons, BC
V0N 1V0
Canada

Mary's "Joint". (10.16.07)

"Health Canada moves to keep daily medical marijuana consumption low.""Letters, letters! We can't take this lying still. Not at all.!! If someone knows computers and starts a petition I'm in, send me email if you know of one even. Seriously we gotta get noisy!!!!!!!!!! Check this out!" http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2007/06/16/4266002-cp.html

"Nova Scotia Marijuana "Cancer Cure" Grower Rick Simpson Found Guilty http://64.4.39.121/att/GetAttachment.aspx?file=8b6528a6-c444-45d1-a873-dG1s&inline=0&rfc=0&empty=False&imgsrc=&hm__login=nypdgreen&hm__domain=hotmail.com&ip=10.1.106.115&d=d792&mf=0&hm__ts=Tue%2c%2016%20Oct%202007%2020%3a59%3a10%20GMT&hm__ha=f97a1ac4de9ee5ea7ada279e1abb7395e2dbad01&oneredir=1

"Ill Canadians rally for improvements to medical marijuana program" http://www.novanewsnow.com/article-101393-Ill-Canadians-rally-for-improvements-to-medical-marijuana-program.html

CNEWS "Where do you stand on legalizing marijuana?" "Well Mr. Onley opened up the debate...it's all over the net now. Could be the break we need. This asks if you think marijuana should be legal in CNEWS. Thought you might want to contribute your thoughts. 263 comments so far and they print all of what you have to say. Some comments are quite good, especially the patients. Could be good to use for further argument somehow? Mine is about 7th down, first page. Gotta keep on truckin"
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Comment/2007/08/01/4385430.php?comments_page=0

For those who are NOT aware I am a Retired Corrections Officer (I retired in 1995 due to MS) who trained Staff in Court weekly while on the job. 
I take my many years of experience and write my Blogs accordingly. 
Here again, is this weeks... 
Thanx in advance to everyone who passes this on! 
 
Alison
xx  
 
LEAP Blog March 11, 2008

The Drug War vs. My Utopia


My Blog this week, is another sad example of the casualties in the
Drug War, plus a bird`s eye view of my Utopia.

The very reasons below are why I do what I do. This insanity MUST end!

What would the U.S. be like if drugs WERE actually legalized and
regulated I wonder?

The following wouldn't happen in MY perfect World as the public can be
heard asking "Why did we wait so long?"

A man recently released from prison on drug related charges, killed
six people in his family, including his brother and two of his
brother's children and critically wounds three of his brother's other
children. What the hell was going ON here???

Brother charged with killing 6 in Tennessee

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080309/ap_on_re_us/memphis_shooting

Things are supposed to be getting better in our communities and our
Country according to this report below:

US IA: "Task War Focus is Drugs"

http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n241/a04.html?201

According to this article, 32 people were either awaiting their time
in Court or were being "actively investigated" from January 2008. It
is now March 2008. Thirty two people in ninety days. That's more than
one person every three days. In one County, one State, not even one
full Continent. Just for drugs. These statistics CAN'T be real…. That
was 'better' because Police were arresting and incarcerating so many
"Guilty" people. We were all concerned about that. Jailing GUILTY
people....


For the remainder of my Blog, please go to:

http://www.leap.cc/cms/index.php?name=Blogs&file=display&id=250

Love and a squish,


Alison
xx

 

Letters to Editors of local and National newspapers, demonstrations, meetings, conferences and the like are being attended all across our Nation in protest of the possible complete and final closure of this ground breaking Institution.
The people involved in the Drug Reform issues in North America are familiar with the “idea” of a safe injection site, but mainstream Society is afraid that such a place will create more and more addicts looking for their next free fix. This would not be the case I can assure you…. There was never an overdose on heroin until it became ILLEGAL.
“Feature: BC Supreme Court Rules Vancouver Safe Injection Site to Stay Open, Federal Drug Law Controlling It Unconstitutional”
http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/538/bc_supreme_court_says_vancouver_insite_stays_open
Then, three days later, on May 30, 2008, this….
For the remainder of this Blog please go to:
http://www.leap.cc/cms/index.php?name=Blogs&file=display&id=300
Love and stuff,

Alison
xx