Comments on: Pot club stung by legal confusion http://gregmercer.ca/2010/05/12/pot-club-stung-by-legal-confusion/ Newspapering and other adventures Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:06:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Russell Barth http://gregmercer.ca/2010/05/12/pot-club-stung-by-legal-confusion/comment-page-1/#comment-791 Russell Barth Thu, 13 May 2010 16:19:17 +0000 http://gregmercer.ca/?p=376#comment-791 "What I struggle to understand is why targeting those buyers, whose use was condoned by a physician, was a priority for police, when there’s a much larger, arguably more dangerous underground drug trade in this city." Busting dealers is hard. They often have guns, and good lawyers. But busting sick people is as easy as taking candy from a baby. Also, busting sick people "sends a message" to other sick people who think about using pot to save their lives or make their lives more livable. The police are trying to scare the public into avoiding these places, and when you use violence to scare off the general public, well, to me, that is terrorism. I certainly feel terrorized. Hell, I am afraid to leave my house most days because I have to worry about getting arrested - even though I actually HAVE a Health Canada permit, cops often ignore them. Russell Barth Federally Licensed Medical Marijuana User Drug Reform Analyst and Consultant Educators for Sensible Drug Policy “What I struggle to understand is why targeting those buyers, whose use was condoned by a physician, was a priority for police, when there’s a much larger, arguably more dangerous underground drug trade in this city.”

Busting dealers is hard. They often have guns, and good lawyers. But busting sick people is as easy as taking candy from a baby.

Also, busting sick people “sends a message” to other sick people who think about using pot to save their lives or make their lives more livable. The police are trying to scare the public into avoiding these places, and when you use violence to scare off the general public, well, to me, that is terrorism. I certainly feel terrorized.

Hell, I am afraid to leave my house most days because I have to worry about getting arrested – even though I actually HAVE a Health Canada permit, cops often ignore them.

Russell Barth
Federally Licensed Medical Marijuana User
Drug Reform Analyst and Consultant
Educators for Sensible Drug Policy

]]> By: Eitan Gallant http://gregmercer.ca/2010/05/12/pot-club-stung-by-legal-confusion/comment-page-1/#comment-790 Eitan Gallant Thu, 13 May 2010 16:18:21 +0000 http://gregmercer.ca/?p=376#comment-790 Good evening Mr. Mercer, My name is Eitan Gallant, and I am one of the four accused in the MCCG raid last week. First off, I found your articulate editorial quite thought-provoking, and I appreciate the coverage. Second, I feel it necessary to clarify that the $10,000 seized, was actually taken from Rade Kovacevic's personal home, not the business location, and to be honest was completely unrelated. It had been saved up by him and his fiance, also accused, over some time now, and was intended for their wedding celebration this summer. If you'd like to ask me any questions, please do not hesitate. Also, if you're interested, there will be a rally this Saturday the 15th at 2 pm at St. George's Square. Once again, thank you for the questions you've posed in your article... I think they've given the community as well as the local police force something to think about. Sincerely, Eitan Gallant Good evening Mr. Mercer,

My name is Eitan Gallant, and I am one of the four accused in the MCCG raid last week.

First off, I found your articulate editorial quite thought-provoking, and I appreciate the coverage.

Second, I feel it necessary to clarify that the $10,000 seized, was actually taken from Rade Kovacevic’s personal home, not the business location, and to be honest was completely unrelated. It had been saved up by him and his fiance, also accused, over some time now, and was intended for their wedding celebration this summer.

If you’d like to ask me any questions, please do not hesitate. Also, if you’re interested, there will be a rally this Saturday the 15th at 2 pm at St. George’s Square.

Once again, thank you for the questions you’ve posed in your article… I think they’ve given the community as well as the local police force something to think about.

Sincerely,
Eitan Gallant

]]>