RCMP should allow Mountie to smoke medicinal pot in uniform: cannabis advocate

[VanessaofBC]

SOURCE:http://ca.news.yahoo.com/rcmp-allow-mountie-smoke-medicinal-pot-uniform-cannabis-162041649.html

RCMP should allow Mountie to smoke medicinal pot in uniform: cannabis advocate
By The Canadian Press | The Canadian Press – 1 hour 7 minutes ago

FREDERICTON - The case of a New Brunswick Mountie who's reportedly been told he cannot smoke the drug while in uniform underscores the need for employers to better understand medicinal marijuana, an advocate for medical cannabis said Thursday.

Adam Greenblatt, president of the Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries, said the RCMP should ultimately allow Cpl. Ron Francis to smoke in uniform providing he is not impaired while working.
"If this officer was a diabetic, would they prevent him from using insulin on the job?" Greenblatt said from Montreal. "That's the way I see it."

Francis could not be reached for comment, but the CBC reported that he told the network there's no policy in the RCMP that prevents him from smoking his doctor-prescribed, medical-grade marijuana in public or while wearing his red serge or regular uniform.

The CBC said Francis is assigned to administrative duties and was prescribed three grams of marijuana a day this month to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, though the Mountie doesn't smoke that amount and does not believe the drug has negatively impacted his ability to be a police officer.

RCMP deputy commissioner Gilles Moreau told the CBC that Francis should not take his medication while in uniform and the RCMP is looking at its internal policies on the matter.
The RCMP said Moreau was not available to comment Thursday but it issued a statement in response.

"Any member on a mind-altering drug — such as marijuana, OxyContin, Dilaudid — is not permitted to perform operational duties, including carrying a firearm or operating a police vehicle, as this could pose a risk to themselves, a co-worker or the public," the RCMP said.

"We are continuously working to strengthen the support we can offer employees affected by operational stress injuries. The commissioner has made it clear both publicly and to the employees of the RCMP that if you get sick or injured on the job, we will look after you — and we will do it fairly."

In a subsequent email, RCMP Sgt. Julie Gagnon said Mounties who are prescribed medicinal marijuana should not be in red serge or regular uniform while taking their medication.
"It would not be advisable for that member, it would not portray the right message to the general public, it's definitely not something we would support or condone," Gagnon said.
Greenblatt said Francis could always take his marijuana in more discreet ways, such as baking it into a cookie or using a vaporizer.

But Greenblatt said he also understands the public relations problem it poses for the Mounties, who have a responsibility to uphold anti-drug laws.

"I would assume that it actually helps (Francis) do his job better, but you can't be busting grow-ops and arresting drug traffickers and waging this prohibitionist war, and at the same time having your officers smoking cannabis in uniform," he said.

"Obviously the conclusion is that this war on marijuana is ridiculous and this is just another one of these hypocritical, totally ludicrous situations that arises from the prohibition on cannabis."
Greenblatt said the use of medicinal marijuana is becoming increasingly common but it remains relatively new territory for employers.
He commended Francis for bringing the issue to the public's attention.
"The more we talk about it, the more we have an intelligent debate on this subject, the more perceptions evolve and the more we can reasonably accommodate people who use cannabis as a medicine."

 

[PlayfulAlex]

http://blogs.canoe.ca/davidakin/politics/conservative-radio-attack-ads-target-justin-trudeau

Radio clip #2

"...imagine making it available, just like alcohol and cigarettes."

(but it's ok to sell and use alcohol and cigarettes legally)

 

[1nitestan]

Imagine a person who has the ability to use lethal force under the influence of MJ while he has to make that decision. No thanks.

 

[Unpossible]

As a medical marijuana advocate my dream for cannabis is that every single hippy in the world dies. We'll no longer have idiots who think you can be stoned and do anything as well as you can sober.

 

[Guardian Angel]

Okay the RCMP officer uses this to help with a medical condition. Then put him in another position in the RCMP that would not be affected by his use of medical marijuana.

Years ago my grandfather was diagnosed with Diabetes. He drove trains. Once his medical condition was confirmed he was moved to driving trains only in CN yards. Not necessarily what he wanted, but safer for all and his seniority and pension were not affected.

Why should this RCMP officer be handles any differently?

G.A.

 

[uncleg]

Smoking weed for PTSD.....permitted up to 15 joints per day.
RCMP put him on desk duty......no guns, no cars.....pushing paper. No loss of pay or rank.

He decides he wants to be able to smoke in uniform, so he dons the Red Serge and walks around in public taking a toke. makes sure the TV cameras are on.

Today he was ordered to turn in his uniform, nothing about if he's off the job as well..........does as ordered( guess he still has a job) then stands out in front of the HQ blubbering and whining about how hard done by he is. Seems he's first nation, so he brings an elder and an eagle feather for strength.........let's really push every angle he can find.

 

[badbadboy]

He is gonna go far in the Corporation

In that work environment he will probably be pushing for a Constructive Dismissal because the RCMP Brass will make his job unpleasant IMHO. Case in point, look at how they have treated their female members.

 

[CLUB78]

Imagine a person who has the ability to use lethal force under the influence of MJ while he has to make that decision. No thanks.

This is the thing about the medicinal use of something; it doesn't affect an illness sufferer who is being treated with the drug the same way it affects a person who is using the drug to get high.

 

[mercyshooter]

Okay the RCMP officer uses this to help with a medical condition. Then put him in another position in the RCMP that would not be affected by his use of medical marijuana.

Years ago my grandfather was diagnosed with Diabetes. He drove trains. Once his medical condition was confirmed he was moved to driving trains only in CN yards. Not necessarily what he wanted, but safer for all and his seniority and pension were not affected.

Why should this RCMP officer be handles any differently?

G.A.

Because people here in Canada tend to abuse their rights even though they know it is totally wrong morally!

 

[1nitestan]

This is the thing about the medicinal use of something; it doesn't affect an illness sufferer who is being treated with the drug the same way it affects a person who is using the drug to get high.

Doesn't matter. Still being affected by foreign substances- wouldn't matter if he was prescribed Oxazapam, Ativan, or any other type of medication.

He's not actually treating his PTSD. He's medicating to regain a degree of functionality. Why does a person suffering from PTSD (medicated or not) want to put themselves in a situation where there can be multiple triggers for another onset of PTSD? That's really fucked up.

Bottom line- He made this about 'him' and not the job, or the organization, or the illness.