December 2013 newsletter

December 2013 Issue
MUMM’s The Word
Maritimers Unite for Medical Marijuana
Volume 1,
Issue 1
Welcome to Becoming Part Of The Solution
Welcome to “MUMM’s The
Word”. We’ve put this newsletter together in the hopes
of connecting and informing
you and the rest of the local
medical marijuana community about what’s going on
as we transition from the
MMAR to the less than improved MMPR. As we charge
forward into an uncertain
future, there is comfort to be
found in coming together as
a group. The chance to
share fears, concerns, ideas,
and opinions is invaluable.
There are many rumors and
a lot of hearsay about what
we will be left with when
April, 1, 2014 rolls around
(no pun or joke intended).
Many of us are scared about
losing the only medicine
that’s worked for us for a
long time, to go to what?
Pharmaceuticals? Not likely.
So as the deadline draws
near there are many folks
claiming to be taking action
to protect our rights. Injunctions, charter challenges,
and grandfather clauses, all
being toted as our salvation.
The MMAR Coalition Against
Repeal, and the Medical
Cannabis Patients Alliance
of Canada (MCPAC) to name
but two. Over the next few
issues we will discuss who
you can/should support, and
why; whether their actions
have any chance of success,
and what to believe.
Whether you go it alone, or
as part of a group, one of
the biggest things against us
is cash. Any court based
action, is going to cost
money, and lots of it. With
numbers like a quarter to a
half a million dollars being
claimed to be required to
launch a charter challenge,
hopelessness and despair
are the feelings we're left
with. We have to put past
differences behind us. The
time has come for us to
stand together and to fight
for our rights.
Inside this issue:
Medical Cannabis Patients
Alliance of Canada
2
Matt Mernagh Update
2
Diamond Series Hydroponics is moving
2
P.A.C.E. The Radio Show
3
Educate your MP
3
MMAR Coalition Against
Repeal
3
MUMM’s First Annual
Hydroponic Halloween
Retail Convention
4
Hydroponic Halloween Retail
Convention Best Table winner.
MUMM’s - Annual General Meeting and Christmas Party
MUMM's Annual General
Meeting will be held Dec.
14th (the 40th anniversary
of the tabling of the final
report of the LeDain Commission) at the Bedford Legion. Meeting starts at 1 pm,
but, where it is close to
Christmas, we are encouraging people to bring finger
foods that we can share
from 12:30-1 pm before our
meeting begins. If you would
like to nominate someone in
NS to sit on the MUMM
board please send an email
to [email protected] with your
recommendation!
Thanks and
hope to see
you
Dec.14th!!
And for donating the proceeds
of their raffle back to MUMM.
Thank You Doug.
Medical Cannabis Patients Alliance of Canada MCPAC
This volunteer run Alliance exists to be
a public resource, to create a national
voice for individuals regarding medicinal cannabis and to offer support to
patients.
When Health Canada announced
changes to the federal program effective next April, it was a natural transition for MCPAC to investigate legally
challenging the removal of patients
rights to produce quality, affordable
medicine for themselves or others.
The Alliance have had discussions with
a prominent attorney in Ontario willing
to represent all Exemption Holders as
they endeavor to preserve patients
gardens and demand the right to cannabis extracts. However, the alliance is
a group of chronically ill, disabled citizens, most on limited incomes, who are
raising the legal fund of $15, 000.
These fees are actually reduced substantially due to MCPAC being offered
non-profit rates by the solicitor.
or make a financial contribution toward litigation go
to:-www.mcpacanada.org/
Should you wish to join the alliance,
eventually make an impact statement
With Remembrance Day having just passed, I can't help but think of those that have fought and died for the freedoms we now take for granted.
Matt Mernagh’s Lengthy Court Battle Finally Reaches Conclusion!
Matt Mernagh, Toronto, possibly the
most infamous medical cannabis patient in Canada suffers from fibromyalgia, epilepsy, scoliosis, and a seizureinducing brain tumor.
April 11, 2011, Justice Taliano, after
hearing R v Mernagh, released his decision, declaring the MMAR and the personal possession and cultivation sections of Canada's drug laws unconstitutional and unenforceable. The govern-
ment immediately appealed, putting
the changes on hold, and forcing a new
trial.
On February 1, 2013, the court upheld
the Crown appeal, overturning Taliano
and ordering a new trial for Mernagh.
Fortunately on Nov. 9th the Prosecutor
faxed Mernagh’s lawyer, Paul Lewin, to
inform them that he has been ordered
Diamond Series Hydroponics is Moving
by Public Prosecutions Canada to withdraw the charges on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
On a side note: Matt Mernagh’s Marijuana Smokers Guidebook is a great
stocking stuffer! It’s affordable, well
written, with beautiful pictures of amazing Buds (180 commercial stains to be
exact!) Support Canadian activists!
http://amzn.to/1bRlaGm
Find the Maritime Medical Marijuana
Show on YouTube. at www.youtube.com/
user/KarmaMMMS. We’re currently looking for a new coco-host, anyone interested
in helping educate and inform others of
the miracle of cannabis, contact us at
[email protected]
Since
to better serve their largest customer
opening
base on the outskirts of Sackville. The
lower prices and a desire to help you
this sum-
move will provide added privacy to
get the most from your garden, We’re
mer, Dia-
their customers as they can avoid go-
sure this diamond in the rough, will
mond Series Hydroponics, a local fam-
ing into the city to get what they
shine on like so many lumens over a
ily oriented grow and gift shop that
need, and the lower prices they’ll be
beautiful garden. Drop in and say
strives to deliver the latest products,
able to expect from a home based
hello, they’d love a chance to show
run by Darren and his wife, is moving
business. With years of experience,
you what they have to offer.
Page 2
MUMM’s The Word
P.A.C.E. The Radio Show — People Advocating Cannabis Education
Nov. 4th marked the inaugural broadcast of The P.A.C.E. Radio Show featured on the Time4Hemp Broadcasting
Show, the first global, pro-cannabis
network. Time4Hemp is based out of
Portland, Oregon and is hosted and
created by Casper Leitch. The show
promotes the global ending of cannabis
prohibition and the restoration of industrial hemp.
Al Graham, Ont., heads up the Canadian contingent and is the show’s anchor. Four co-hosts from coast-to-coast
join Al on a rotational basis: Owen
Smith, BC; Keith Fagin, Alberta, Shantal
Arroyo, Quebec and Debbie StultzGiffin, NS.
The P.A.C.E. (People Advocating Cannabis Education) Radio Show broadcasts
live twice a week, Mondays and
Wednesdays at 10:00 pm Atlantic time
for one hour. The hosts will be primarily
talking to Canadian cannabis advocates and discussing what contributions they are making locally and, in
some cases internationally. Each show
is rounded out by sharing tunes from
Canadian cannabis musicians, like The
Killin’ Time Band, Ontario. The P.A.C.E.
Radio Show discusses the latest Canadian cannabis news and upcoming Canadian events.
The P.A.C.E. Radio Show can be heard
at www.time4hemp.com and at Iheartradio.com. Iheartradio has over 2.5
million listeners and is part of the satellite radio package provided to new vehicles sold in the US.
Our ancestors were willing to die defending those same rights, are you willing to get off the couch? The time is now, the solution is you.
Educate your MP - A Meeting with Scott Brison
On Nov. 1st Debbie Stultz-Giffin met
with Liberal MP Scott Brison that concluded with his committing to corresponding with federal Health Minister
Rona Ambrose to express his dismay
and relay our concerns.
In mentioning the upcoming changes to
our federal medical cannabis program
Brison wondered what may be wrong
with the emerging corporate cannabis
producers. He quickly grasped the underlying access issues revolving around
affordability for those living in abject
poverty right up to, and including, some
middle class individuals. He totally
comprehended that with 61% of patients living on under $30,000 annually
corporations will have few costumers to
support their shareholders and patients will be left to suffer and ultimately may face incarceration thanks
to the omnibus crime bill!
changes WILL effect you or your loved
one!
http://www.parl.gc.ca/
MembersOfParliament/
MainMPsCompleteList.aspx
Brison is now wiser about the latest
plight of Canadians requiring cannabis
as essential therapy! Another politician
has been educated. YOU can do it too!
Call or email your MP today and let
them know how these horrendous
MMAR Coalition Against Repeal
Conroy & Co., retained by
the MMPR Coalition Against
Repeal based out of Vancouver, is preparing a representative action to be
launched in the Federal Court of Canada on behalf of medical cannabis patients wishing to retain their licenses
and allow Designated Producers to do
the same. This legal action may happen in a federal court in Vancouver.
Conroy has undertaken a comprehensive review of case law and sought the
opinions of leading cannabis law experts. All told this action is expected to
cost approximately $250,000.
work filed by September 30th, this litigation is a complex, costly undertaking.
Recent media reports indicate that
Conroy may soon be ready to go to
court.
The goal of 'The Coalition' is to seek an
injunction to maintain personal and
designated medical gardens and to
make provisions for extracts.
Those wishing to volunteer for, submit
an impact statement to or offer financial support toward the coalition can
visit:-http://www.johnconroy.com/
MMARlitigation.htm
While originally hoping to have paperVolume 1, Issue 1
Page 3
Maritimers Unite for Medical Marijuana
Chair, MUMM
P.O. Box 362
Bridgetown, N.S.
B0S 1C0
Phone: 902-789-2573
E-mail: [email protected]
We’re on the Web!
www.mumm.ca
We Should ALL be Free to Choose!
With the MMPR looming, patients stand to
lose their right to produce their own medicine. With all that is now known, we are still
unable to make the politicians see that cannabis should be removed from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act as a
"Schedule A" drug. Add to that the countless physicians remaining reluctant to sign
patient’s paperwork. Those that can get
signed will be subject to an approximate
800% price increase over being able to selfproduce. Combine all this with the mandatory minimums imposed by the Conservatives with the Omnibus crime bill and we all
stand risking facing jail.
Please join MUMM as we work to protect
patients and promote change.
MUMM’s First Annual Hydroponic Halloween Retail Convention
On Oct. 27th, 2013, MUMM held our first
Hydroponic Halloween Retail Convention.
at the Bedford Legion from noon till 10
pm. All retailers were invited. A special
thanks to Doug and the boys from
Steve’s Hydroponics, Chris from The
Grow Op Shop, Cale with his shirts,
Karen from Four Leaf Clover Bakery and
sevarl non-profits.
There was a costume contest with a
Deuce vaporizer, donated by West Coast
Gifts, as the prize. There were 5 costumes to pick from. Thanks to all that
participated. Best costume was won by
Chris Backer who donated the double
vaporizer back to MUMM for a future
event. Thanks Chris!
A delicious Variety supper was enjoyed
after the retail portion. Thank you to all
that donated food, Helped in the kitchen
and with setting up the event.
Dinner was followed by an amazing evening of entertainment featuring Know
Issue, Impact Eleven and Cameron
Hawes. It was truly, off the hook.
The door prize, a Pollen Master donated
by http://pollenmaster.ca/, was won by
Craig Cousineau. Marlene won a Davinci
Vaporizer and Paul Pinder won seeds
that were both donated by Crazy Diamonds Seed Co. Steve’s Hydroponics
held a raffle for a 1000W HPS digital
ballast, lamp and shade combo. Proceeds of $115 was donated to MUMM.
Thank you Doug! Several smaller prizes
were also given out.
Here's hoping next year we can draw
more folks. We didn't lose money, but
that due mainly to having members buy
so many tickets. You know who you are,
and thank you.