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The times, they are a’changing
By Brenda Babinski
Tamarack Dispensaries will be opening soon in Marysville following the history-making vote by Kimberley City Council at the June 22 council meeting.
Council voted unanimously to override their own bylaw and allow a business licence to be issued to the company, despite the fact that the dispensing of medical marijuana derivatives is in contravention of the Marijuana Medical Access Regulations as determined by Health Canada.
Four years ago, owners Tamara and Rod Duggan had little knowledge of marijuana. They had both gone to college and knew of the recreational use that is prevalent with young adults in that setting, but neither had taken much interest in it at the time.
Then Rod Duggan was in a serious accident that left him needing surgery and resulted in him suffering from chronic pain. In the beginning the pain was managed in mainstream ways by his physicians, using high doses of narcotics to allow him to get back partial function in his leg. But the pain kept him awake at night, kept him from participating in even the gentlest physical activities such as strolling around the park, and left him with countless side effects, that in turn had to be handled with more prescription medications.
The day came when Duggan went to his doctor in search of a refill and was refused. The physician had grown concerned that the heavy use of narcotics was leading to addiction, potential overdose or damaging his already damaged body. He was advised to try some over the counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Neither helped. Rod Duggan was left to live with chronic pain and no way of getting relief.
The couple was visiting Vancouver at the time. Vancouver currently has approximately 100 medical marijuana dispensaries, called ‘Compassion Clubs’ in operation. The Duggans decided that it was time to give cannabis a try. All of the legal avenues had become dead ends and the pain was intolerable. They purchased some cookies made with marijuana derivatives and hoped for the best.
The results were nothing short of miraculous, in Duggan’s eyes. “By the time I went off the narcotics we figured out I had taken 6,000 pain pills.”
Tamara, who had been on the fence until that point on the alleged effectiveness of marijuana in helping ease chronic pain was an instant convert to the benefits of medical marijuana.
“The very first night he ate half of a cookie. We could see the results immediately. For one thing he could sleep. And the next day the anti-inflammatory effects kept working. Before then he could barely walk the length of our house. The next day he was able to walk all over downtown Vancouver with no pain.”
Their personal experience led the Duggan’s to seek out further information. Experiencing the benefits first hand has inspired them to gain the education to invest in their own medical marijuana dispensary.
Handling mostly derivative products such as edibles, oils and salves they hope to offer a viable alternative to those with conditions that would benefit from cannabis use, but who prefer not to smoke or prepare their own edible products from the dried flower.
Currently Health Canada allows only for the prescription of dried marijuana for medical purposes. Derivatives are not currently covered by Health Canada’s Marijuana Medical Access Regulations. This may soon be changing as the Supreme Court of Canada in the case of R v Smith recently held that “the decision to use non-dried forms of marijuana for treatment of some serious health conditions is medically reasonable” and “by forcing a person to choose between a legal but inadequate treatment and an illegal but more effective choice, the law…infringes security of the person.”
The ruling further states that “the criminalization of access to the treatment in question infringes liberty and security of the person” and “the prohibition on non-dried medical marijuana undermines the health and safety of medical marijuana users by diminishing the quality of their medical care.”
In opening Tamarack Dispensary, the Duggans hope to provide safe, clean access to both the natural dried leaf and derivative forms of medical cannabis. Adhering to the guidelines set out by the Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries, the self-governing body that sets the standard for dispensaries, they intend to provide commercially produced and tested product in a professional and safe setting.
Only qualified applicants will be granted membership to purchase product at the Tamarack Dispensary. A note by a medical professional will be required, stating that the applicant has a condition that would be helped by the use of medical marijuana. The privacy of clients will be strictly protected.
Tamara and Rod Duggan are currently reaching out to the medical professional in the East Kootenay to offer education on medical marijuana as a viable option for pain management and health issues. They invite anyone with questions or concerns about the dispensary to contact them.
“We understand that we are on the leading edge of this issue. We take our responsibility very seriously. We know that we have to be twice as good to be half as legitimate,” Tamara said.
Tamarack Dispensary will be opening soon in Marysville.
