Music for your blog reading enjoyment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dzs1K3caXJk
Wow, this cartoon smacked me right in the head ;-) Awesome.
It started with a joke from my best bud Cathy.♥ 
I was stressed wondering what to draw for 4/20?! 
The universal day of 
Celebration for Cannabis!!! 
A Plant.
Grown from a seed.
Made by *GOD.
(*original patent holder)


Medical, Recreational, Hemp, Food, Fuel.. 
It's the day and I want to say THANK YOU!  
                                       I have said it so many times, I thank God daily for this Plant! 
Give us this Day our daily Bud...  <3 Wow. YES,   I read recently  how powerful that prayer is;  Give us this dayour daily bread,  -not thanks for yesterday, or make sure I have it tomorrow. Give us THIS day.  Focus on today.
.. and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us,
 and that                 ^ ^        ^  That simply put means  ^    ^  ^             :
                                               PEACE, PEOPLE!  
Religion aside... who can argue with those lines?  How else are we going to get ahead, clearly WAR is not the answer! 
Thank you Marvin, now in my head for the rest of the day.
People all around the world who suffer over a plant. A plant less toxic than many others,  proven helpful to ease pain, yet illegal and lives destroyed because of it.    
WTF?   O.M.God.  How disappointing.  
A PLANT.  While others  rape, kill, abuse, terrorize, suffer & starve needlessly... 
enough with the bullshit distraction. 
FOCUS on the REAL problems at hand. 

Rise Up people! Speak up! <3   Celebrate this Plant! Let it be a symbol of change.
It all starts with a SEED!!!  Life.

So.. Yes!
     Give us this Day our daily bud, 
       and thank you Lord  for it!
I do! Everyday! Keeping the Love of my life happy - How could I not give thanks?
Celebrate 4/20, Spread Peace and Love !!! 
- there are already enough assholes doing the opposite;-)


xox <><

April fool!
Too bad it is no joke..
This is not an original idea. 
I was inspired by an image I saw, and of course this is what came to mind.
It is how I feel. 

Apparently people even now, are still getting permission to grow. 
Is Health Canada lining up all it's ducks in a row for when they want to TAKE away licenses?  Are we all just sitting ducks?
How can this still be happening, when they claim the entire reason they will be removing is for criminal activity, yet more permits are issued... I know, I am NOT the only one confused. Health Canada is probably hoping we are all 'dazed and confused'. 
That is not happening. I see less confused and dazed every day, all around.
DO NOT become a sitting duck or An April FOOL! 
Pay attention, take notes and stand up for what you believe in.
xox <><





The only criminal activity I see happening is on the part of Health Canada and the MMAR Program.
 

One of the main claims to ban 'home grow rooms' is fire hazards according to Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq. This got me thinking. I don't really hear/read of many specific 'Grow Room fires' which is strange when according to The Union - Documentary - 1 in 10 homes is Growing (In B.C.)  Many are here as well. Wih those odds - if it was that bad, I think I would hear/read more about it.
So I decided to research and found out that the (according to Readers Digest)
Top 10 reasons for House fires in Canada are: 

I received a letter recently from this gentleman asking if I could help him, he is a patient & grower looking for a couple patients to also grow for. He asked me to refer some people to him.                      I explained that because of my knowledge from the past few years... I do not hook up patients with growers. I wish I could!   
Why don't I? 
Simply because I do know know this person- personally, he seems like a really nice man and we can relate to what he is dealing with, but - I am also aware of all that can and does go wrong with growing. I have heard the stories and witnessed the results.  
If I said - let this guy grow for you, and for what ever reason his crop was not successful (due to bugs, mold, many things can lead to a bad crop- sometimes out of control of the grower) and the grower could not provide the medicine the patient needed,  I would feel terrible!  Recently, I heard of a grower who could not provide all the meds. to a patient because he needed to sell some for his vacation!!   WTF?
I was very angry when I heard this. That is bullshit. I told my friend to SPEAK up! 
He is a very nice, easy going, laid back person (one of my favorite people ;-) 
It appears to me his grower is taking advantage of his good nature. That is not right.

SO, I will not refer any growers, to bad..  I really like most people I know that grow,
I have only met a handful that I would not trust myself, for my own reasons.  
YOU have to make the decision yourself!  IT IS your medicine!  Be aware.

THERE are many GREAT growers, providers who do help and keep their patients happy and medicated. I even know of a few who go above and beyond, one in particular provides medicine and 'GIVES' Cannabutter (made with trim) also so they might try baking their medicine.  AWESOME! 
Get to know your grower! Ask questions - what if? 

 With that being said, I can relate to this gentleman and his plea and he wants to help others and himself.  I hope that he does find a couple of patients and is able to provide for them. I hope he lives up to his promises because- he is dealing with peoples lives. 
I hope this from all growers.  Thank You to Mark for sharing his story below!  
Contact him if you need a grower and come to your own conclusion.  ♥


Do Your Best, Never Quit, Have Fun

I went blind and almost died from the fight or flight response to pain, the year was 2000 and I had a ten year old son and an eight year old daughter. I am still with my wife of almost 25 years, our son has graduated Waterloo Engineering and now Teachers College, and our daughter who was Student Council President and graduated with honours is now a hairstylist. This is a story of love, hope and pain.

My diagnosis, previously asymptomatic congenital spondylilolisthesis with insitu articulation and 5% of all caucasians are afflicted. I was also post-operatively diagnosed with spina bifida occulta and seven years later with failed back surgery. What about our children! If you are born with the first disc above your tailbone incompletely formed and connected to your tailbone when this breaks you and your immediate family live in shame.

It is a general school of thought amongst the medical community that if the patient will not be able to return previous employment the most cost effective management is pain control until death. This will normally occur within 5 years. SEE THE BREAKING SPINE www.iofbonehealth.org/breaking-spine-report-2010

 So by day I did my best to be Dad; I worked as much as possible and when I didn’t work I volounteered at the kids’ school. I also coached soccer and hockey as well as furthered my education. During the night I would and still do, pull a Casper, walking and moaning. After my back surgery my doctor of fifteen years asked me,  “Please do not sue me Mark.” and I answered, in my naiveté, “Oh no that’s not what I am about, I just want you to be a good family doctor for my family.”.  Well, that didn’t last long. Two years later when my son fainted at work and doctors at an unnamed hospital tried to illegally hook him on anti-seizure medication my beloved doctor refused to help. This meant that my son, to whom we gave an insured vehicle, lost his driver’s license and was no longer able to be the designated driver for his university friends.

The only meds I take are medicinal cannabis; most often sativa during the day and indica at night. Sativa will speed you up and because it has amazing effects on neural systems i.e. pain, ms, seizures, encourages the very important minor accomplishments such as doing the dishes or cutting the lawn. These minor accomplishments are the building blocks of mental health. Being useful leads to earned pride.  At a time when I was legally blind, very crippled and all I could accomplish was the dishes, as it took me all day up and down, I felt a need to understand, accept and not give in to depression.
 Do Your Best, Never Quit, Have Fun was born. While the sativa cannabis helps you manage your pain and push yourself,  when you are finished and it is time to relax you can consume indica strains. These indica strains can be very heavy and in conjunction with an overall plan will overcome the fight or flight response. In my case I exercise regularly to burn off norepenephrine and epipenephrine, otherwise known as cortisol.

 I learned, Do your best, Never Quit, Have Fun. Basically we all need to fit our skins and accept others as they or their circumstances shape their realities.  I have spent time in the classroom on both sides of the desk. I taught Consumers Gas technicians refrigeration and air conditioning. I did this in Toronto and St. Catharines. I also have the hours in the field and am a licensed; refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic, sheet metal worker and gas fitter 2, I also have a small commercial air system design license.                   

I am a user of medicinal marijuanas and grow for myself as well as one patient. You can see an article about me at northumberlandtoday.com, it was written by Valerie MacDonald and published January 17, 2013.  Thank you Valerie.
I am looking for two more patients who are Health Canada licensed to possess and consume between five and ten grams of marijuana per day. Hopefully we can get set-up in time to be grandfathered in as a going concern.
Thank you Georgia!
Mark


You can contact Mark @ : indicaorsativa@gmail.com

by:Jane Grey

Cannabis. To some, it’s medicine, or a drug, or a way to relax. To others, they are indifferent, skeptical about it’s use, or choose not to believe a natural plant that does no harm could do so much good. I used to be one of the skeptics. 

    

Two years ago, my husband was diagnosed with a terminal form of cancer called Merkel Cell Carcinoma found at Stage 4 in his lymph nodes. Merkel Cell Carcinoma is a rare and fast-growing form of skin cancer that only 1000 people get diagnosed with in North America per year. Doctors know very little about this form of cancer. Normally, a patient's prognosis is grim because 90% of people diagnosed with Merkel Cell Carcinoma are over the age of 60 and are too ill or old to go through extensive chemotherapy or radiation treatment to slow down the rapid growth of Merkel Cell Carcinoma. My husband at the time was only 35 when he received his diagnosis and was expected to only live 3 months.

   

After several chemotherapy treatments his condition worsened, I suggested he try cannabis in hopes it would help him. He was skeptical it would be beneficial, but knew it was no worse than his monthly chemotherapy and medications since I did not have to wear a haz-mat suit to hand him a joint. He found cannabis not only helped pre-existing back pain, but eliminated nausea for up to 4 hours, gave him energy, appetite, helped his depression caused by his diagnosis and was able to re-gain some independence again. I saw cannabis take a man off his death bed quicker than he was put there. Though, cannabis could not help him with recovering between chemotherapy treatments but made life more bearable while going through it. Even years after his chemotherapy is over (and he’s still alive) he is left with a chronic ‘bone ache‘ common with people who have been through chemo, and a loss of energy and appetite he once had prior to his treatments. 

    

Adam found no supportive doctor who would sign his MMAR. Even his oncologist, the doctor that told him he only had 3 months to live suggested he “buy off the street” because what cop would arrest a man with cancer? Well, this doctor was mis-informed. Because they do, violently. Sure, we found some doctors who wanted $500 for a signature, but it was far beyond what we could afford. It made us wonder who exactly could afford $500 a year to have their paperwork signed? Doctors don’t even get paid $500 a visit by Health Canada when you see them. Health Canada’s wages for doctors are posted publicly. Depending on the doctor or circumstance, they receive $60-$120 per visit. Something along these lines are more fair and affordable to someone on a reduced income from CPP Disability, ODSP or a pension. Most people looking to obtain a MMAR are usually on a fixed income, because they’re ill! It shouldn’t be held against them. Also, I think it would be illogical for a doctor to risk their practice and license over $100, even $200. The risk far outweighs the gain, regardless of how much they would make annually from it. However, a doctor that charges $500 up to $1000 to fill out paperwork- which doctor would be more likely to turn a blind eye to someone who is.. not so sick? And, who would be more likely to have this kind of money readily available to pay said doctor?
    
    
Health Canada is considering making changes to the MMAR to take away a patient's right to grow because of criminals. But, how exactly did these criminals obtain a MMAR? I think some of the statistics could be falsified. In Canada, our Charter of Rights and Freedoms gives us freedom of association. And, regardless of what a person does or who they know, because they are a ‘criminal‘ doesn’t make them immune to illnesses, diseases, and getting common conditions associated with age. So if they did actual research, how many would be left out of 20,000 exemptions that are actually using and abusing the system. That paid a doctor to turn a blind eye only to take advantage of the system. And how come, because of so few taking advantage- why are thousands left to suffer?

    

The average monthly income for someone on assistance from disability or retirement ranges from $700-$1500 per month depending on the province, circumstances and where the income is coming from.  Cannabis can currently be grown outdoors for essentially free less the costs of  some nutrients. It can also be grown indoors very inexpensively. However, Health Canada wants to take away this affordability and charge patients $8/g [$500-$2480 per month based on the average prescription of 2g-10g/day]. Most indoor growers will find that they are paying no more than $200/mo additional hydro for a larger indoors grow operation- and someone with a 2g/day prescription and only 10 plants will not generate $500 worth of hydro or nutrients per month. 

    

Health Canada’s proposal is not only inconsiderate, but goes against some basic human rights. If I need medicine- Most have benefit plans or can purchase third party health plan. Depending on the province, if you have low income and would qualify for a provincial disability plan- you can get free health coverage from your own government. If you choose to use holistic remedies, many can be grown in your backyard, or a window ledge for free. But Health Canada has no intention of issuing a BIN number for cannabis, and they are taking away a patients right to grow their own holistic and beneficial medicine for free. Implementing these new regulations will only cost our government more money, because those who receive a lower income will be arrested for continuing to grow because they cannot afford to buy their medication. Daily, cannabis related charges are being withdrawn because many qualifying patients cannot afford or find a supportive doctor and the government does recognize this and does withdraw charges based on health conditions. Should new laws be implemented, the courts would have to recognize and provide the same respect and consideration since a person should not be arrested for being poor. 

    

I think these new regulations would have very little legal standing when brought to court. This does not stop violent police arresting sickly people, and crown attorneys dragging cases out in hopes of finding ‘something’ because they don’t want to lose. But when the decision comes to a judge or jury, no human being could ever send a sick person to jail for not having enough money, even if it was brought as far as a trial. These new regulations would also cost the government more money. I have no doubts people would still continue to grow- and eventually be arrested by police, and have a case dragged out by a crown attorney, and be represented by a legal-aid funded lawyer. All this excess time, efforts and money so a small percentage out of 20,000 people would not be able to sell cannabis. Wouldn’t that same money be better spent on funding efforts on stopping meth and crack dealers, illegal gun sellers, or heck.. Education? 

  

 I have personally been using medicinal cannabis for a year. I had an unsuccessful knee surgery leaving me with chronic pain and difficulty walking; leaving me to rely on the assistance of others just to live.  I also have a nerve disorder causing tremors and chronic nerve pain in my hands, legs and face. Simply typing out this blog post sharing my ideas, experience and opinions is a struggle- without cannabis. I have to use a walker or cane to get around. I also have a digestive disorder that causes sensitivity to almost all medication, and a year prior to using cannabis, I was chronically ill just from taking medications to help some symptoms and in turn would create new ones or worsen pre-existing conditions. Cannabis is the only medicine I have ever taken that helps all my health conditions, and does not make me sick. 

     

There was a me before I was disabled. Everyone had a them before they landed where they are. I had a great job, happy and comfortable lifestyle and just thinking back to when I was able to walk easily where ever I wanted is something I truly miss. One of the last freedoms I have, that I am still physically able to do is grow my own medicine. Do not take away our freedom to grow and access affordable medicine. 

Jane Grey is the author of My Criminal Cure detailing her husband's struggle with cancer, using cannabis as medicine and their legal battle. 


Georgia : Well said Jane! Jane is a friend of FB , I can not wait to read this book. So sad that so many people are suffering and dealing with this crap. I am sure it is just the beginning  of a POTlitical nightmare to come,  thanks to The MMAR program. 
Stay tuned and tooned.. 
xox <>< 

I had a very difficult time with this carton from the second I first read the sentence: 
Two fishermen sentenced to death for trafficking in cannabis
http://www.nst.com.my/latest/two-fishermen-sentenced-to-death-for-trafficking-in-cannabis-1.197967

I mentioned to someone the other day about the expected cost of Cannabis  because of the increase suggested by  Health Canada MMAR,  they told me - "That's a   700% INCREASE !"   WOW!   
A small price to pay when you read what it costs others around the world? 
No, ones health and freedom are never a small price.
Our health can be a high price to pay, our health and security both.  
Life needs we should not have to 'stress over' living in Canada.

Cannabis is a world wide problem. 
No, it is NOT world HUNGER - compared to that it is bullshit - but bullshit is exactly what all this is! All smoke and mirrors.
 Stop wasting money on cannabis and drug prohibition and you will have the money to avoid world hunger! Not to mention the plant! We should be shipping hungry nations hemp: protein, fiber, essential fatty acids, antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and minerals! 

I had a difficult time for several reasons and when time to ink I was inking and crying.  
I had to walk away and go for  a nap.  
I love to learn, research, discuss and draw and then I remember I’m living these cartoons too. It set me back a bit - but in between tears 'Mama bears' hackles rise ...

I was also dismal when I thought - I’m going to put the ‘place’ on the bottom of the cartoon - my first intentions the first pane - Colorado - but it could be may places including Amsterdam!  The second my obvious choice : CANADA.   The third (inspired the cartoon) was Thailand, but it could as easily be other places and has been and might continue to be.  Too many places! 

Death for a plant. It is not by hanging it is by lethal injection. Drawing the hang noose was hard enough  for me. 
Putting men to death for a plant - death for what God provided on this earth. 

Next year in Canada will people be put in jail for doing what they were told they could do in the first place. Will sick Canadians be treated like criminals for a plant that is a proven medicine all around the world? Recognized by our own Country as a medicine! 
If they don’t go to jail,  who will help with the added stress of now having to pay a up to 700% increase for medicine they use to provide for themselves or were able to purchase at a fraction of the cost?

Will I see people I know and love go to jail - people that have NEVER harmed another person a day in their life for a plant? 
Probably,  being in control of ones life, happiness and health is worth fighting for.
It is NOT worth dying for or killing for.  
Is that what 'Health' Canada will be doing to a few people on the program? 
Unfortunately,  I believe so.  ;-( 

Remember when educating others on Cannabis - It is a world wide problem. 
ONE LOVE.
xox <>< 

Somedays my job is too darn easy...
What a imprudent comment to make. (above in toon) 
 I took it directly from the article.
Read it yourself: 
 Health Canada plans to treat marijuana like other medicines
Yes, it plans on treating Marijuana (*CANNABIS - *sigh* own government -does not address it by it's official/correct name) like other medications - Charging ridiculous prices and making it harder to get!
 Not to mention limiting strains and options. People will have no choice but return to the more harmful - cheaper and easier to obtain  prescribed pills/opiates.

Every time I read something about this It makes me angry, sad, disappointed and worried. 
Everyone that I have spoke with, be it someone who uses Cannabis or not, does NOT agrees with these changes.  

It is taking a situation for many - were they are able to supply themselves with their own quality medicine and say - now stop and pay someone else for what you have been successfully doing on your own. 
                   ????????????????????????   How is this o.k.?   Does this make sense to anyone?
* Don't forget - people were told from Health Canada that they could in fact  grow their own medicine. I know people who have invested THOUSANDS of dollars to properly set up and grow their  own medicine.  They have been producing it for years. One friend told me - he will continue to grow after they try to take away personal licenses, if he is arrested - he is prepared to fight. He is ill.  He still works from home and has not had to apply for any gov. assistance.  IF he loses his license he will NOT be albe to afford the SUGGESTED price increase!  How can they do this? 

THEY can't if we don't let them.

Among its proposals, the MMPR suggests the price of medical marijuana should rise to $8.80 per gram. It currently ranges from $1.80 to $5 per gram.
WTF? HOW dare they 'suggest' anything, let alone a price for something many people have been able to provide for themselves for much less than the 'SUGGESTED' price! I am sure all other growers (especially the ILLEGAL ones) are thrilled at the price increase!  Read a comment made by someone on Fb:
 
When you think about it, all they're doing is shooting themselves in the foot. 
A majority of people who have an exemption are also on disability because they're severely disabled or ill. If they choose to- on the tax payer's dime they have to pay to arrest these people, then pay for their lawyers with legal aid, while also paying court costs. Then should they become imprisoned, they must pay MORE to care for them with monthly transportation to doctors/hospitals, special diets and so on. Don't think because you're in jail you don't receive care anymore. In Canada, they pay to drive you to your doctor's appointments, MRIs, tests and so on while two guards making $30/hr have to baby sit you and drive you around since most prisons are not equipped with this. So really, the government wants to pay millions of more dollars, so a private company can make more money, and the 100 people abusing the MMAR out of 20,000 won't be able to anymore. 

I'm so worried about people not having their medicine I never even started to think about that! What bothers me most right now is, why so many already sick and hurting are even having to think or deal with this BULL and added STRESS is beyond me. 
Oh Canada ;-(  Focus your attention on crimes THAT HURT- Sex trafficking, child pornography, rape, murder...

ALL this over a fucking plant. Take a LOOK around the wold! 
A Plant that saves lives. 

xox 
<><

The more I read about these 'proposed changes' the more grief I feel.
I do not believe Health Canada has taken the best interest of the patients - the ones who this entire program was designed to help -
to heart when they came to these conclusions. 
It is a crime against Canadians who need help, compassion and understanding.

Lot's of drawing to do...
xox 

Today I read about 2 men that will be executed for just over 7lbs of Cannabis. 
Two men will be put to death, poor, struggling to provide for families, not harming anyone physically - will be murdered over a plant. Read about it here.
Who says Cannabis is not a serious issue? 
A world wide problem?

I read that on a post regarding the new MMAR - Who in their right mind would expects anyone to stop growing...  and I thought-
It's true when you look at this all!  It's INSANE!!  It is appalling. 
But then again so is Steven Harper - I can't even read about him - what a shitty representative of Canada. IMO.  People on hunger strikes - because they we feel we are not being heard, sick people losing the right to provided themselves with medicine after they were told they could!  Selling off Canada one snow covered rock at a a time Eh?  I cannot remember a time in history when people were as disappointed - no, that is not even the word - it's more like ashamed of  our  illustrious leader 'Steven Harper'.

EVEN if you do NOT use Cannabis -  How can the government tell people that they have to stop growing their medicine - when it has been legal for them to do so... AND They gave them permission!  It is NOT easy, It is NOT cheap and it has become a passion for many of these people.  All I can think in my cartoonist mind is two little kids - here you can have this this and this .. oh changed my mind! Take backs!  Someone is going to be crying.
ONLY the problem is in many cases these people need this medicine just to function daily lives! It has me really worried about the expected price increases and my son's health! ;-(
Growing your own or a Designated grower is a sure way to keep the quality and strain that is best for you. It will keep prices reasonable or better yet
                             - KEEP PEOPLE PROVIDING FOR THEM SELVES!!!
Self worth right there should mean more than anything.  No one likes to depend on others.
What if your child has such a food allergy to pesticides you decided to grow his own vegetables..  but was told you could not.  People SHOULD be thinking about this on several levels. WE are not talking METH labs we are talking garden rooms. 
 http://hempology.ca/protest/index.html  is just one of the many petitions. Please take the time to sign.  Educate yourself and if you grow your own medicine get ready to defend your right. 
xox <><