My friend Todd...
I have blogged about Todd before. I believe everything and everyone for a reason. I first met Todd at an EXPO and he 'called me' on something -  something I offered in my newsletter-  to make a long story short - he got my attention, we struck up a conversation and today I am honored to call him and his family friends.  

Todd GREW Cannabis legally in the united states.
HE DID. 
By paying for tax stamps! I have one right here on my desk to remind me daily of the injustise my friend faces (in the image above) Tennessee Department of Revenue -UNAUTHORIZED SUBSTANCE STAMP(s).. and guess what friends, they don't come cheap.  Todd has been playing by the rules, openly goes & pays for his stamps and they know what he has been growing. Todd even has a website he promotes- In other words...
*** IT'S BEEN NO BIG SECRET -  BUT not too long ago they still busted his door in and held a gun to his daughters head and arrested Todd.  You can research it all yourself or contact Todd, he has nothing to hide.
Shortly after being busted, his younger daughter Ariel was rushed to hospital  with pain in her abdomen only to find out she had cancer. She has undergone extensive surgeries and  cancer treatments. 
Todd has much going on.. His court date is July 14th. 2014.  
He does not know if he will go to jail very soon and what his he doing - he is MARCHING!  We are close, when this bust happened and I first spoke with Todd, he was frightened (how can one not be), now, I am witnessing a different Todd, one who knows he did nothing wrong and is tired of being pushed around and is tired of watching everyone being pushed around - for what?   NOW - A substance only a couple of states away is celebrated. 
 It is ridiculous!  
I am sure people who know Todd are thinking, why did'nt she draw Todd walking... 
-one of the reasons why I love my friend Todd, his letter starts off with this:

***CANADA'S NEW MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAWS: 
      WHAT ARE THEY REALLY ABOUT?


On March 13, 2014 the current medical marijuana laws in Canada will end and an entirely new system of laws concerning medical marijuana will take effect. The current laws allow those registered as medical marijuana patients to grow their own marijuana or to buy government produced marijuana from authorized pharmacies. Under the new laws that go into effect in a few months, medical marijuana patients will no longer be permitted to grow their own marijuana and the government will no longer produce marijuana, nor will pharmacists be involved in the sale of medical marijuana to patients.

The legal reasons stated for this drastic change in the medical marijuana laws in Canada are listed as public health, safety and security issues. Despite reading many articles and trying to discover these alleged public health, safety and security issues, one is hard pressed to find a single article describing exactly what those issues are. There were a few (very few) growers who had fires break out. Those were all related to poor wiring. Electrical issues are easy to cure and simple compliance inspections of grow operations would remove that issue from the table. As for public health and security, there was nothing describing exactly what they are, just the generic legal umbrella under which the politicians are able to enact new and stricter laws.                                                                         So why the need to fix that which is not broken?

There are currently 37,359 registered medical marijuana patients in Canada. That number is much higher than the 477 registered medical marijuana patients in 2002 evidencing the need for medical marijuana. Of those 37,359 registered medical marijuana patients, 25,600 are licensed to grow their own medical marijuana. Of those 25,600 licensed to grow their own medical marijuana, only 4,200 are specifically licensed to grow for one (and only one) other registered patient besides themselves. All of these rights will be stripped away from Canadian medical marijuana patients as of March 13, 2014.

Under the new laws there are currently 156 applications awaiting approval to grow medical marijuana on a much larger scale in huge warehouses. These warehouses will be owned and operated by those entrepreneurs with enough money to buy the licenses, the warehouses, the property on which the warehouses sit, the massive costs of filling that space with the maximum lighting possible and to employ a staff large enough to grow, trim and prepare the medical marijuana for public sale and to distribute it. With private sector businesses, profits tend to be the overriding priority rather than producing a high quality product that is organic and safe.

Under the new laws patients will be permitted to purchase medical marijuana from these massive warehouse farms. All sales will be through a mail order system and thoroughly regulated. The regulations only apply to the amount of marijuana sold and the income the entrepreneurs take in. These strict regulations will not cover the quality of medical marijuana grown nor the non-organic fertilizers and pesticides used to grow the marijuana to produce ever larger and more profitable plants. This puts unsuspecting (and already burdened with health issues) patients at further risk of ingesting marijuana and medical marijuana products that essentially contain poisons detrimental to their already deteriorating health.

Health Canada's current average price of medical marijuana is approximately $5 per gram. The projected cost of private sector medical marijuana after the new laws take effect in March is expected to be about $7.60 per gram. CannaMed, the first licensed distributor in the private sector is currently advertising their medical marijuana at a cost of $9 to $12 per gram once the new laws go into effect. Keep in mind that the current black market cost of marijuana in Canada is approximately $10 to $15 per gram. No matter how one tries to make sense of these new laws, they fail to address any alleged public health, safety or security issues. They also have the added disadvantage of driving up the cost of medical marijuana for patients. These patients are often already financially strapped due to their varying medical issues. 

So why the sudden change in medical marijuana laws that seemed to be working so well according to the patients who are the intended beneficiaries of these medical marijuana laws? It is simply a desire for profits. Health Canada has projected that by 2014 there will be 58,000 registered medical marijuana patients. They further project that by 2024 there will be 450,000 registered medical marijuana patients in Canada. Health Canada has estimated that by 2024 the medical marijuana industry will be a 1.3 billion dollar per year market. That 1.3 billion dollar per year market will all be taxed at a higher rate, a luxury tax, and not as a medical necessity. 

It appears to be obvious that the only reason for the change of the current medical marijuana laws in Canada is related to revenue collection and has little (or nothing) to do with any issues of public health, safety or security. Sadly, this massive change of the current and well functioning medical marijuana laws in Canada is more about a healthy economy than about a healthy population of Canadian citizens.


 Georgia:  AMEN! *Well said as always! Thank you Lisa! I am the first to admit - I know what I want to say, but often it is difficult - just as cartooning is difficult for many!  She once again put it perfectly IMO. Are you paying attention Canadians?  

Guest Blog * By Lisa B 

CHILDREN & MEDICINAL CANNABIS 
There are certain rights and privileges given to us by the universe that human lawmakers have deemed illegal. Being deemed illegal by human laws does not negate the rights and privileges given to us by the universe. Deeming something legal or illegal does not make it moral or immoral. The legality of something is not a true test of right or wrong. Right and wrong are issues that are better addressed by an inquiry into whether or not the illegal act does any actual harm to anyone. Does breaking a particular law harm either the individual or society as a whole? The list of such laws is countless, but here I am referring to the use of marijuana. 

Anti marijuana laws are based solely on unscientific and untrue propaganda stemming from the 1930's. The purpose of the anti marijuana laws was to diminish the competition with leading corporations at the time that produced inferior products ranging from pharmaceuticals to textiles and fuel. Despite the fact that all of the propaganda was false, the anti marijuana stereotypes  still persist today. These anti marijuana laws have the effect of making otherwise law abiding citizens hailed as criminals. This is especially true of parents who choose to utilize medicinal marijuana to treat their child's illness. Rather, parents are expected, even pressured by doctors, to utilize the more "traditional" (using the term loosely) methods of medical treatment. 

Traditional methods include, but are not limited to, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, bone marrow transplants, prescription pills, experimental drugs and of course, general anesthesia to undergo some of these treatments. Since traditions are passed down over time, it is actually more sensible to consider medicinal marijuana the traditional treatment and to consider these newer and deadly treatments and their life draining side effects more experimental in nature. If nothing else, these newer methods are extremely profitable to the healthcare industry in ways that medicinal marijuana could not be. The healthcare industry is a 2.6 trillion dollar a year industry. That allows for more than enough lobbyists and politicians to benefit from anti marijuana laws than is possible with marijuana legalization. 

In spite of this obvious motivation of financial gain that keeps anti marijuana laws on the books, lawmakers continue to insist that the only real motivation for anti marijuana legislation is to protect the public from the supposed harms of marijuana use. But those alleged harms from marijuana use are unfounded and untrue. Anti marijuana laws are what is harmful to individuals and society. Medicinal marijuana is harmful to no one, not even children. Parents facing such a decision have to sum up massive amounts of courage in the face of being arrested, charged, jailed and worst of all, the possibility of having their child taken away from them based on alleged child endangerment.

Medicine is supposed to be based on facts, test trials and their outcomes. Propaganda and lies are neither medicine nor fact. The medical facts about medicinal marijuana and children have proven that marijuana is safe for use with children and that there are no long term side effects. The only side effects noted were dizziness and disorientation that lasted only a few hours. Such side effects are nominal at most and allow parents to give their child the best possible medicinal option without the life draining side effects of the more profitable options available through the more common and dangerous medical treatments listed above.

There are countless anecdotal stories of children being treated with medicinal marijuana. Most had already gone through the current medical treatments and the agony and side effects of those treatments prior to turning to medicinal marijuana. Story after story recounts the tragedies of current methods and the life saving effects they finally obtained with marijuana use. Children as young as 8 months old have been successfully treated with medicinal marijuana where all current treatments had failed. I could recite them all, but instead I refer the reader to articles such as US NEWS AND WORLD REPORTS article entitled "Medical Marijuana is Safe for Children" and GROWING MEDICAL's article entitled "Studies Show Benefit of Medical Marijuana for Children" as well as ABC NEW's article entitled "Marijuana as Alternative Treatment with OCD and Autism" just to name a few.

The medical facts about medicinal marijuana are that, "The cannabinoid acids in cannabis have been found to have anti-proliferative, anti-neoplastic, anti-inflammatory, anti-epileptic, anti- ischemic, anti-diabetic, anti-psychotic, anti-nausea, anti-spasmodic, antibiotic, anti-anxiety and anti-depressant functions. The anti-neoplastic action of cannabis (inhibiting development of malignant cells) was recognized in the 1970's and patented by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services  in 2003". (cited from William Courtney M.D.)

The gist of the various articles is that medical peer reviews that reject medical marijuana are profiting from the current 2.6 trillion dollar healthcare industry. Parents who chose cannabinoid concentrates or other medicinal marijuana options for their child were able to spare their child the horrifying experience of currently accepted treatments. The healthcare industry lost out on a million dollar sale each time a parent chose medicinal marijuana over the million dollar treatment options. The outcome in each testimonial was the same. Medicinal marijuana is safe for use with children. Tumors shrunk, epilepsy became manageable, cancer and scar tissue disappears, OCD evaporates, and the list goes on. 

People once believed that the earth was flat. Time and experience have proven that theory to be wrong. Slavery was once legal and helping a slave run away for freedom was illegal. Today we know that breaking such a law was the right thing to do despite it's illegality. The anti marijuana propaganda that supports anti marijuana laws was once commonly accepted as true. People believed marijuana was dangerous to both body and mind. Today we know that propaganda is untrue and unacceptable. 

It is not enough to rely on propaganda and lies in order to secure monetary profits. It is not enough to say it is wrong because it is illegal and therefore inappropriate for medical use. It is not enough to say that the doctor said it was dangerous or wrong. What is enough is to educate one's self on the real medical benefits of medicinal marijuana and if it is right for your child, to choose that option over all others. No one will protect your child more ferociously and more lovingly than you will. If medicinal marijuana is right for your child, use it. It could be the one thing that will change their life for the better and could even save their life.
 
❤

I drew this cartoon at the beginning of the month but decided to hold off as to NOT put a damper on any of the marches. The marches are more for legalization of Cannabis in general as well as world wide recognition of a growing desire for a PLANT. When Cannabis is legalized world wide I am sure it will still be a day to rejoice!  

This is about a conversation I have had with several people. 
I talk to everyone and that is a gift  ‘to’ me.  I learn all sides of the story. I have been blessed as a cannabis cartoonist -  to be in a situation where I have got to know many people of all sorts, sizes, professions, incomes, ages, diseases and reasons. 

I am becoming even more convinced you cannot judge anyone until you have lived their lives and if you don’t get why someone is miserable then the issue lies with-in. Lack of compassion? I don’t necessarily think so, but a lack of consideration perhaps and again - possibly just because how do you think of these things if you truly do not understand?

*Like a video today with two guys talking about child birth they were singing a new tune after having ‘electric contractions equal  to a normal birth. Once you know - then you realize. Until then..  TRY to put yourself in others shoes. If only for a few moments.
I am having serious balance issues these days I nearly wipe out in my own back yard daily - causing much amusement for my girls who think mom’s playing a new game or  is mom going in the pool!?? Hee hee hee - not funny when happening though. I couldn’t even consider attending the march. Many patients who use cannabis  cannot physically attend these functions and that sucks. They want to participate as much as anyone else if not more!  

Cannabis would not be where it is today if not for the awareness of medical Cannabis and patients that are speaking up. I first learned from Documentaries with patients, I thank God for them.  Patients are now getting angrier as some light up, wake and bake, and stay STONED’ and become legal -yet other places continue to struggle for their MEDICINE and all the issues surrounding it from political, social etc... 

I guess I am trying to say is have a little more consideration, perhaps parades everywhere would organize a double decker bus for those that cannot walk!! O.k.perhaps thats pushing it just yet but if you are planning an event give those in wheelchairs, those who need crutches and others that just need to rest some serious consideration please.  We all want and deserve the same happiness. We all want to celebrate this powerful plant! & give thanks. Physically and mentally.




ONE love xox

A guest Blog that I enjoyed reading and thought worth sharing!  xox <><

Catch-422
By John Dvorak, Hempologist  See more @ : http://www.hempology.org/CANNABISCURRICULUM.html

With a tip of my hempen chapeau to Joseph Heller, our government has created a phenomena that I call Catch-422.  They put up as many roadblocks as possible in an effort to stifle our progress and to demonize Cannabis Sativa, a safe and effective natural herbal remedy.  A Kafkaesque melangé  of federal agencies and bloated bureaucracies justify their existence at the expense of the sick and dying, while the beer-bellied, vodka saturated, over-pharmaceuticalized sheeple continue to gulp down oxycontin, viagra and anything else peddled by their kowtowed doctors.   Thousands die EACH YEAR overdosing on alcohol and prescribed drugs, while there isno lethal dose for Cannabis.      

Hundreds of thousands of Americans are arrested each year merely for possessing marijuana because Reefer Madness has infected Congress and rotted the judicial system to its core.  Marijuana’s illegality is justified by calling it a gateway drug that will lead to harder drugs and/or a decaying of a person’s moral fabric:  Catch-422.  In fact, cannabis is proving to be a gateway AWAY from illegal narcotics and debilitating pharmaceuticals.  

The DEA classifies marijuana as a Schedule I narcotic which, by definition, means there is no currently acceptable medical use.  Everyone knows this is total bullshit, but when researchers ask for cannabis to perform studies, they're told they can't have it because, of course, marijuana has no medical use, leaving patients burning in Dante’s inferno of mock compassion: Catch-422.  Their circular logic jerks people around to no end.  

Even some states with medical marijuana laws on the books are imposing outrageous restrictions on the ailments that qualify:  Catch-422.   One of the most egregious examples of this is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which several states refuse to recognize Cannabis for despite its obvious benefits.  And, the Federal government never misses a chance to “pile on” by preventing the Veteran’s Administration from providing Cannabis to the many vets with PTSD.  

A classic Catch-422 is how states delay the implementation of medical marijuana laws, oftentimes parroting the old canard: “think of the children.”   New Jersey’s Compassionate Use Medical Marijuana Act was signed into law in January, 2010.  However, bureaucratic foot dragging by that state’s Gutless Wonder Governor, Chris Christie, delayed the opening of their first dispensary for almost 3 years.  

Consider this:  A card carrying medical marijuana patient working for a big box store had a minor accident,  failed a drug test and was subsequently fired.  His dismissal was upheld by Michigan's supreme court: Catch-422.  Tragically, a medical marijuana patient who was denied a liver transplant because of his Cannabis use recently passed away:  Catch-422.  We need to fight for people’s basic right to medicate without discrimination.

Another Catch-422 is the “institutional hypocrisy” that  prevents people from coming out of the cannabis closet.  Consider this:  Despite many states passing various Cannabis laws, mere possession of marijuana continues to be a violation of federal law!  It is very difficult for someone to promote an illegal activity.  You expose yourself to public ridicule or worse.  For many, testing positive for Cannabis could result in the loss of their job, government benefits or custody of their children.  Students that are arrested for Cannabis could lose their student loans:  Catch-422.  

Similarly, the IRS has ruled that medical marijuana dispensaries cannot deduct business expenses because possessing and distributing Cannabis violates federal law: Catch-422.    Banks and credit card companies are refusing to do business with dispensaries for the same reason:  Catch-422.   The sad part about this is that dispensaries are proving to be economic engines, hiring people and paying taxes in an otherwise depressed economy.  


The DEA says that hemp is the same as marijuana.  They have tied a Gordian knot of hemp rope, claiming that hemp will confuse the police even though this is not an issue in Canada or Europe where it is legal to grow hemp: Catch-422.  United States Department of Agriculture studies call hemp a niche crop without fully investigating its myriad uses: Catch-422.   Farmers will not grow hemp unless there is a market for it and you can’t sell products unless you can produce them which means you need farmers to grow hemp: Catch-422.  This chicken or the egg situation is a real “pair o’ ducks.”   Thanks to prohibition, we are re-inventing the ENTIRE hemp industry from the ground up.  The sky is limit (think Trillion Dollar Crop!) but it is going to be a long, hard fight for those willing to join the battle.  

We need to recognize these efforts for what they are:  a blatant and callous effort to impede our progress.  Only by identifying and understanding these barriers will we be able to get around or over the obstacles that stand in the way of realizing the full benefits of the humble plant scientifically known as Cannabis Sativa.  Fortunately in the privacy of the voting booth, people are electing to choose cannabis hemp and give a collective middle finger to the powers that be.  

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 <><

Niki sends me messages from time to time. More support and smiles.  It is friends I have made online that have shared experiences that continue to make me more determined on helping them share their story! Niki made my day when she told me that part of helping her own family understand the issues they are dealing with - they shared Storm's story with their family!
 It made family members have a new outlook. - THAT is why we do what we do. 
Simple ❤ 

Women leading in alternative medicine education
Posted by Niki Smokes

Mainstream media has taken a grip on all of our minds and injected the paradigm of moral medicine. How did we go from drinking teas and eating nutritious foods to care for our organic bodies to accepting manufactured magic bullets as cure-alls? Sad?! ..there's a pill for that. In pain?! ..there's a pill for that. Not ready for parenthood? ..there's a pill for that too.

Cher Kore, AromatherapistAlternative Medicine has been around longer than Big Pharma. Literally thousands of years of prescribed teas and tinctures verses less than hundred years of pills and injections. Why are the pharmacies winning? They have marketing committees yet to be matched. Because media and government are selling you their magic pills and fear of the unknown, we are neglecting to discover the true potential of the ever healing human body.

Today women are taking on that challenge and bringing it to the next level. Emerging in the independent and mainstream media is a new acceptance of natural health care and its ability to assist patients through their most dire struggles. We hear the stories and can briefly catch them in the local news before they are quickly buried under the weather.

Survivors, caretakers and advocates want you realize the miracles happening all over the world. They are here to change your perspective of combining the alternatives with modern medicine.

From Storm's Story in Treating Yourself Magazine Georgia's son Storm was born with a painful and debilitating syndrome called multiple stenosis. Sometimes conventional medicine can be too demanding on a human body.. especially a growing one. Left with very limited choices Georgia decided it was time for an alternative. Cannabis is now Storm's medicine of choice.
"From the first puff, we saw the results, and that is what mattered most to US! Results we had not ever seen with any other medication. Not to mention we did not have a fear of overdoses or liver damage or organs shutting down! From a PLANT!" - Georgia Peschel
Click here to read Storm's Story written by Georgia Peschel in Treating Yourself
Georgia enjoys drawing cartoons chronicling life's fleeting moments and uses her talent to educate about cannabis as an alternative medicine. Check out her blah blah blog!
From "Storm's Story" in Treating Yourself Magazinewww.georgiatoons.com

Cheryl Shuman.. Survivor and advocate.
Cheryl made history with Ricki Lake and brought legal cannabis products to mainstream daytime television onThe Ricki Lake Show. She's a survivor of stage four ovarian cancer and this fighter is not backing down until everyone understands their right to choose.

Cher Kore.. Aromatherapist.
Owner and Scentstrodinaire of Kameleon Healing Aromatherapy, Cher Kore has taught me so much about Aromatherapy and other natural remedies that I use everyday. Local to Boston, Cher is a contributer at FreeMassMedia.com where she blogs about new approaches to alternative healing.

See the actual LINK here: http://www.mikecann.net/2013/01/women-leading-in-alternative-medicine_10.html

I know today's hero personally.  Asked to remain as "D" for fear of backlash from others in the industry. This is a shame, I completely understand it.  I have witnessed it over and over again and it must stop. 

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 
<><

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 <><