Don't be fooled by Stephen Harper's spin campaign on marijuana

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      Anyone with a brain knows that marijuana plants have medicinal properties that can help sick people.

      It's been covered extensively in National Geographic.

      CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta has produced three documentaries on it.

      These are hardly the most radical voices in the land.

      Here in B.C., Dr. Ian Mitchell, a Kamloops emergency-room physician, wants to research the impact of an extract called cannabidiol on posttraumatic stress disorder.

      He's pointed out that medical cannabis can assist those suffering from cancer, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, gastrointestinal disease, and HIV/AIDS. (Let's hope that Mitchell's message reaches Canadian Press wireservice reporters who might still be prone to reefer madness.) 

      It's no wonder that several groups representing people with HIV/AIDS were interveners in the recent Smith case before the Supreme Court of Canada.

      Despite mountains of evidence—assessed by judges mostly appointed by Stephen Harper—the Conservatives have gone ballistic over the court striking down a federal ban on edibles containing cannabis.

      The health minister, Rona Ambrose, is "outraged". Yes, she's outraged over the decision.

      So why would Ambrose tell reporters that she's so upset by the Supreme Court of Canada?

      Perhaps it's because this comment will help the Conservative fundraising machine in the upcoming election.

      We all know that Harper has pinned his reelection hopes on convincing the public that Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau as a pot-loving, soft-on-crime elitist. This strategy is especially targeted at new Canadians who come from countries where marijuana is loathed.

      Ambrose knew that her comment about being "outraged" at the Supreme Court of Canada would likely lead the news.

      I wouldn't be surprised if the health minister rehearsed this line in advance of meeting reporters.

      It's all about painting the Supreme Court of Canada, the Liberals, the NDP, the media, and marijuana researchers as progressive patsies.

      They're the enemies in Harper's us-and-them world.

      If the Conservative base is regularly reminded of this, cheques roll into party headquarters.

      In the meantime, old ladies with gastrointestinal disease and dying cancer patients trying to cope with pain still have to worry about being busted for nibbling on a marijuana cookie.

      It's disgusting. Get out and vote in the next federal election to put an end to this nonsense.

      Comments

      11 Comments

      pc vs. the rest

      Jun 11, 2015 at 7:47pm

      The PC's stand and actions on marijuana is probably the least offensive of their policies when you look at things like Bill C-51, the number of times they've had their noses slapped by the supreme court for creating laws violating charter rights and freedoms, the muzzling of government scientific results, catering to large corporations, and so on.

      And that's the problem. They piss off so many different groups and polarize the voting public so well, combined with our stupid first-past-the-post electoral system, all the rednecks are only left with one party to vote for, whereas anyone with half a brain is left with many choices, depending on what particular issue is most important to them. As a result the PC's get landslide majorities with less than half the vote because everyone against them is split all over the place.

      Ian Mitchell

      Jun 11, 2015 at 8:12pm

      Thank you for the mention. Our PTSD study will involve cannabis with both THC and cannabidiol. With this new ruling, it is possible that we may be able to include extracts.

      Most of all, I am sure this comes a relief to the families of children with Dravet's syndrome and other intractable seizure disorders who can now help to treat their children without breaking the law.

      Lucas Bartram

      Jun 11, 2015 at 11:08pm

      Cannabis oil saved my girlfriend. Stage four cancer to not even a trace. Used in conjunction with advanced medical procedures saves lives. I have seen its benefits first hand. CANNABIS SAVES LIVES!! Let's show the world that we are a forward thinking nation. End this fools puppet show in Ottowa. Vote for change this election!!

      Jerry Eberts

      Jun 12, 2015 at 12:15am

      I noticed the federal Medical Marihuana Access Program uses the old-fashioned spelling of Marijuana. Like they are stuck in the past.

      David Kingsley

      Jun 12, 2015 at 8:51am

      The article says that marijuana can assist, not cure all these afflictions. Is there a benefit to marijuana other than taking your mind of your troubles for a while? I think the general public sees what this drug has done in society and it hadn't been positive.

      Seriously?!?

      Jun 12, 2015 at 9:56am

      Lamenting the "us vs them" attitude of Harpo & the Cabal is pathetic when the entire piece is doing the same thing. Supporters of all parties have an issue with "them:" somehow "their" Charter Rights are OK to violate because "they" are wrong. Eighty percent of you are little Yezhovs or Heydrichs in waiting willing to do whatever "the boss" tells you to do and you have yet to find your limit.

      @David Kingsley

      Jun 12, 2015 at 10:02am

      I think you missed an important qualification in your last sentence. Let me rewrite it for you to correct it.

      I think the general public sees what prohibition of this drug has done in society and it hadn't been positive.

      When the harm caused by prohibition of something is greater than what that something causes on its own, it's time for a change.

      ggeobc

      Jun 12, 2015 at 10:45am

      The Canadian Senate, after lengthy debate and weighing pros and cons, recommended cannabis be legalized back in 1996, the government has done nothing, not even decriminalization. It's a good reason to abolish the Senate, the government pays no attention to their work or recommendations anyway.
      My recommendation: Fire Rona Ambrose and replace her with someone who is cannabis friendly. Direct judges to not proceed with marijuana cases, simply through these cases out of court. Withdraw from the UN resolution controlling psychotropic drugs and legalize cannabis, anyone can grow it, anyone can produce cannabis products and distribute them
      Use the profits from legalized cannabis to financially compensate anyone ever convicted of a marijuana offence. Do all of this,then I would say "Justice has been served."
      Do we have a political party who would follow my recommendations? Certainly not the Conservatives. The Liberals? They've had their chances and did nothing, are we to trust them again? What about the NDP? Mr Mulcair has clearly stated his party would decriminalize, not legalize. The Green party will legalize and have a party platform to back it up but not much chance of forming a federal government, mostly because younger voters, sitting on the couch smoking dope and playing video games instead of going to a polling station to cast their ballot - mabe they forgot.
      Polls show 66% of Canadians support legalization, only 16% favour prohibition. So what is a poor Canadian voter to do? Whatever you do, VOTE! Field your prospective candidate to see where they stand, don't vote for them if they are not cannabis friendly and, for f--k sake, get off the couch and vote.

      @David Kingsley

      Jun 12, 2015 at 3:53pm

      Cannabis is the only effective meficine for my IBS. A severe flare up would occur once every couple of months, three weeks during which my diarrhea were so severe that I end up with bloody hemorrhoids, followed by intense constipation. Haven't had diarrhea once in the year I have been using medical cannabis.

      PS. I am a biochemist and former med school professor.

      Mikemac

      Jun 13, 2015 at 10:02am

      The Harper and gang are payed off by big Pharma $$$$$