 | NORML News: Canadian cannabis cafes challenge the law |
 BY HARRY CORDING, NORML News Summer 2003-4
Toronto's Hot Box Cafe has been a tokers hangout since May, where people come to share their herb in the garden out back.
It's strictly BYOW - bring your own weed - and on any given day 300 to 400 people pass through for a toke and a sandwich or fruit smoothie.
The cafe opened in May, shortly after a court decision rendered Canada's law against possession of marijuana ineffective, forcing police to forgo laying charges, at least until an appeal clarifies the law. Similar cafes have been operating all over Canada, with 14 cannabis-friendly cafes at last count - but the idea is new to Toronto and it could soon become part of the local cultural landscape.
While the Canadian public has long tolerated open cannabis use, the law looks set to finally catch up. The Canadian government has introduced a bill to parliament to decriminalise possession of cannabis. Those caught with less that 15g will face a small fine.
Canadian prime minister Jean Chretien announced he might give pot a try once it is no longer a criminal offence and only tickets are handed out. Chretien, 69, who has announced that he will retire in February, said "Perhaps I will try it when it will no longer be criminal. I will have my money for my fine and a joint in the other hand."
Medical marijuana moves one step forward, one step back
The cannabis-based medicinal spray developed by Britain's GW Pharmaceuticals may soon be available to patients in Canada.
Sativex is a whole plant cannabis extract administered by a spray into the mouth. It was developed for treatment of multiple sclerosis and severe neuropathic pain.
Canada's government-grown marijuana has been condemned by patients who have tried it. Some have even said it makes them sick.
"It's not marijuana, it's ground-up stems, twigs and beads and it's not fit for human consumption," said Jim Wakeford, who uses marijuana to battle AIDS symptoms. "The marijuana was not helpful and it gave me bad headaches the two times I tried it."
Courts throughout Canada have ruled that cannabis prohibition is unconstitutional as it does not adequately allow medical use. The Canadian government responded by allowing more than 600 people to legally buy and grow medical marijuana, making them the first country in the world to do so. Patients can choose between growing their own or being prescribed the government-grown schwag.
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