FIREFIGHTERS SUPPORT CHANGES TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROGRAM

Proposed changes to the federal program enabling access to medical
marijuana could enhance the safety of emergency responders and the
community.

The federal government announced Friday it is considering improvements
to the program, including phasing out personal and designated
production and introducing a new supply and distribution system for
dried marijuana that relies on licensed commercial producers.

Ron Lambert, Nanaimo Fire Rescue chief, said at the bare minimum,
firefighters have lobbied the government to tell them when a grow
operation exists in a private home so crews know of the dangers before
they go inside.

But phasing out residential operations altogether is even better, he
added.

"Most of these operations that we see that are under permit don't meet
any electrical standard," said Lambert. "When you have these
installations that aren't built to any code, the chances of a fire is
much higher."

And if there is a fire, with the amount of electrical wires, chemicals
and building alterations typically found in a private grow-op, the
risk to firefighters is significant, he said.

"We haven't had any injuries as a result, but certainly the risk is
there," he said. "Water and electricity - they don't like each other.
From a public safety perspective, we see the legislation as a good
thing."

Given all the other problems associated with private grow-ops, such as
mould and air quality issues, keeping production to commercial
facilities is better, said Lambert.

"I don't think they belong [in residences] because of the problems
they create," he said. "It needs a commercial setting."

Mayor John Ruttan said one of the risks of allowing people to produce
marijuana privately is that it could lead to overproduction, which
means the product could end up used for purposes other than medicinal,
including criminal purposes.

Commercial operations would be easier to supervise, he
added.

The proposed changes are intended to reduce the risk of abuse and
exploitation by criminal elements and keep children and communities
safe.

"These proposed improvements reflect concerns we have heard from all
kinds of Canadians including law enforcement, fire officials,
municipalities, program participants and the medical profession," said
Leona Aglukkaq , Minister of Health, in a press release.

Other proposed changes include: eliminating the categories of
conditions and symptoms to qualify for medical marijuana; submitting a
physician's document directly to the commercial grower rather than to
Health Canada; and requiring commercial producers to prove compliance
with various requirements, including security, product quality and
packaging and labelling standards.

Commercial producers would only grow indoors, set the price for
marijuana and send product only by registered mail or bonded courier.

Legalization or decriminalization is not part of the changes and the
determination of whether medical marijuana is appropriate would still
be made through a discussion between a physician and the patient.

Health Canada also proposes to establish an expert advisory committee
to improve physician access to comprehensive and up-to-date
information on the potential risks and benefits of using marijuana for
medical purposes.

Canadians are invited to submit comments on the proposed improvements
until July 31 at www.hc-sc.gc.ca