I was reading a post this morning from @keithwillshine related to the current state of affairs in Canada with regards to legalization of the herb. A debate has started regarding whether or not applying for a "grower's license" warrants hiring a company to assist in obtaining a license. I started to comment on the thread, but realized that a full post was more in order to help share the first-hand information I have on the subject.
Currently in Canada, it is not easy to get a new "grower's license" and even the individuals who have "old" grower's licenses that have been grandfathered into the new program are having trouble renewing their existing licenses to grow.
As it stands now, all medical marijuana license holders were granted this constitutional right, ordered by the Supreme Court of Canada in the Allard ruling last year. So, in order to access this right, an 18 page application has to be completed. Then, that document has to be signed by 2 medical doctors who have the "certification" granted by the Canadian Medical Association, to do so. This means that those doctors have taken a special course over and above their regular medical license and are recognized by the CMA. The CMA is against marijuana being legalized so they are currently putting pressure on doctors not to have anything to do with making access to cannabis easy for the general public.
After you find 2 doctors with the additional designation, and they sign the application to grow, that gets submitted to Health Canada and the waiting starts. To date, no one in my circles has been successful at achieving their grower's license. Everyone is waiting. Health Canada says, (after hours of waiting on hold on the phone) "yes, we have all your documentation and yes, everything is in order, we (meaning Health Canada) just require an inspection of the property you intend to grow at." "We just don't have inspectors, yet."
That doesn't sound like the government is providing reasonable and fair access to grow to me.
It seems to me that the government has met the minimum requirements to appease the Supreme Court ruling but that they are still making access difficult.
My opinion is that this is being done to protect the monopoly that they have created through their corporate Licensed Producer program. That plan, on the Licensed Producer program, was rolled out several years ago and called for a maximum of 50 Licensed Producers to service the country of Canada. We are currently sitting at 38.
The other agenda that seems to be at play is the Canadian government's motive to supply cannabis to other countries...I think part of the stall, moving legalization to 2018 is so that international laws and trade agreements can be re-written.
Today I am making my way into to Toronto to be part of and report on the 420 events that are scheduled to happen at Younge-Dundas Square. This is likely the last time the event will be taking place at this location and Marc Emery, the Prince of Pot is scheduled to speak.
Armed with my vapourizer, Steemit Press Pass and my camera, I will report back to everyone.
(With any luck, I won't get arrested in the process).
Here's the schedule of events as found on 420 Toronto 2017 Facebook page:
TIMELINE
Noon - Chris Goodwin INTRO 420 Toronto 2017
12:00 - Abi Roach Hotbox Cafe Roach-O-Rama
12:00 - Dylan Hennessy Music Open Mic
12:00 - Moel
12:15 - Philosofly
12:30 - Charmie
12:45 - Aviation
1:00 - Erin Goodwin
1:05 - Mark Adam Harrison
1:10 - Johannes Chapman
1:15 - Brent Pars Dankr.ca
1:20 - William Ryan Pressley
1:25 - Eric Wood The Vapor Trail Lounge
1:30 - Dave Ro-Peiris Errlectic Canada
1:35 - Andrews Edwards Mastah Concentrate Series; Throwdown
1:40 - Christopher Lawson
1:45 - Michael Thomas Puff Dogs Vapour Lounge
1:50 - Mike North Smokers Guide Canada
1:55 - Marko Ivancicevic
2:00 - Samantha Scagliotti
2:05 - Julia Rose
2:10 - Joanne Baker Underground Cafe & Social Club
2:15 - Justin Loizos Cannabis Rights Coalition
2:20 - Gary Medeiros
2:25 - Brian O'Dea
2:30 - Naomi Poley Registered Nurse
2:35 - Katherine J. Perry
2:40 - Rebecca Percy
2:45 - Pete Melanson MELANHEADZ
2:50 - Virginia Vidal Mary's Wellness.
2:55 - Sarah Sunday The Karma Cup
3:00 - Antuanette Gomez Chairwoman Women Grow
3:05 - Melissa Rolston Co-Chair Women Grow
3:10 - Amy Anonymous CannDo
3:15 - Jennifer Pixie The CARE Center
3:20 - John Vergados SKUNK Magazine
3:30 - Mike Rita
3:35 - Vandad Kardar
3:40 - K. Trevor Wilson
3:45 - Bryan O'Gorman
3:55 - The High Five
4:00 - Paul Lewin Right To Privacy
4:05 - Jack Lloyd Norml Canada
4:10 - Marc Emery
4:20 - 5:00 - The Killin' Time Band
5:00 - 5:40 - MUST STASH HAT
5:40 - 6:20 - Taylor Knox
6:20 - 7:00 - Dylan Hennessy Music
SPONSORS
Crop King Seeds
WeedMaps
VENDORS
001 Crop King Seeds
002 Crop King Seeds
1 Village Cannabis Dispensary
2 Just Compassion
3 #OPEN
4 EDEN Medicinal Society Toronto
5 The High Five
6 Roach-O-Rama
7 Hotbox Cafe
8 MMJ Total Healthcare Inc
9 CNCAonline
10 Toronto Cannabis Dispensary
11 C.A.L.M
12 Earl Dabs
13 #HerbElixir
14 Pure Releaf Dispensary
15 Women Grow
16 Smokers Guide Canada
17 Vape On The Lake
18 Next Level Healing
19 Mastah Concentrate Series; Throwdown
20 SKUNK Magazine
21 The Flavor Savers
22 Weedmaps
23 The CARE Center
24 Phyto Extractions
001 Smoke's Poutinerie Toronto
002 Chimney Stax Baking Co.
From seed to soil to oil...this plant medicine should be free for all to grow in their own gardens and use.
~ Rebecca Ryan