guelph
Guelph medical pot user frustrated by federal delays
By: Thana Dharmarajah, Guelph MercuryIt has been a stressful eight months for Jeff McKay as he waits for a Health Canada permit allowing him to possess and use an additional seven grams of marijuana to alleviate symptoms of HIV and Hepatitis C.
The 37-year-old Guelph man currently holds a Health Canada permit allowing him to possess three grams of marijuana per day, which he takes to improve his appetite that he says has been drastically affected by his HIV treatment.
“Everything is riding on the balance of possessing that card,” McKay said. Following a doctor’s appointment in February, with a recommendation that he increase his daily intake of marijuana, McKay sent out his Health Canada application.
He is still waiting for his new permit. Read more »
One pot club raid case withdrawn
By Thana Dharmarajah, Guelph MercuryGUELPH — The Crown has withdrawn its case against one of four people charged with drug trafficking when a Guelph compassion club was raided by police this spring.
On May 6, 31-year-old Nicole Freeborn was arrested and charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking after city police searched the Medical Cannabis Club of Guelph on Baker Street, as well as five other addresses on Dublin Street, London Road, Arrow Road and Quebec Street.
The club’s founder and two others were also arrested and charged with trafficking on the same day.
Earlier this week, the charge against Freeborn was withdrawn by federal prosecutor David Doney.
Police raid sparks protest by medical marijuana users
By: Tony Saxon, Guelph MercuryGUELPH — Jeff Morrison doesn’t know where he’s going to get his medical marijuana anymore.
“I’ve been making calls to try and find it, but I haven’t had any luck so far,” said Morrison, one of about 100 people who attended a protest and rally in St. George’s Square Saturday in support of the Medical Cannabis Club of Guelph.
Police raided the club and some related residences earlier this month. Four individuals face a variety of charges.
“I think (the raid) was bogus. I really don’t know how else to put it,” said Morrison, who bought marijuana at the club’s Baker Street location since December. Read more »
Cannabis club doors are open to match growers with patients
By: Thana Dharmarajah, Guelph MercuryGUELPH — The Medical Cannabis Club of Guelph is again open for business.
The club’s founder Rade Kovacevic, its sole employee since a police raid of the 62 Baker St. club last week, apparently won’t be dispensing marijuana or marijuana products under an amended operational plan at the site. Instead, he plans to match up Health Canada designated growers with patients in search of medical marijuana.
Kovacevic, who is out on bail for drug trafficking and production charges, said he is in negotiations with local growers to rent out space at the club’s downtown office for producers to use to meet patients and to sell them medical marijuana.
Pot club stung by legal confusion
By: Greg Mercer, Mercer RetortI’m confused.
Not dazed and confused. Just confused.
The source of my confusion is the decision by the Guelph Police Service to bust the Medical Cannabis Club of Guelph last week, which led to trafficking charges against four staff, including founder Rade Kovacevic.
Part of my confusion may be because the message from Canadian officials on marijuana use is as mixed as a 1988 cassette tape. (Note to readers: a long, long time ago, music came in a strange format called a cassette tape and teenagers would create eclectic mixes of their favourite songs, which, consequently, is illegal).
Pot club members upset by Guelph arrests
By: Troy Bridgeman Published: Guelph MercuryGUELPH — People hoping to fill their prescription for legally prescribed marijuana at the Medical Cannabis Club of Guelph were out of luck Friday.
A number of patrons arrived to find the club locked and a sign on the door that read Closed Friday, May 7, Family Emergency. There was no indication when it will reopen.
The club at 62 Baker St. and other residences were raided Thursday and four people were charged with a variety of drug-related offences. Police seized more than 20 kilograms of dried marijuana, 258 marijuana plants and marijuana-laced baked goods.
Four charged in Guelph medical pot club bust
By: Thana Dharmarajah, Guelph MercuryGUELPH — The founder of the Medical Cannabis Club of Guelph is among four people charged with drug trafficking following a bust by city police.
Rade Kovacevic, 24, is charged with six counts of trafficking marijuana; four counts of trafficking hashish; two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and one count of drug production.
He was charged Thursday after city police searched the club, at 62 Baker St., as well as five other addresses on Dublin Street, London Road, Arrow Road and Quebec Street.
City police visit Guelph marijuana club
Mercury staff, GuelphMercury.comGUELPH – Several city police officers are at the Medical Cannabis Club of Guelph.
Witnesses say officers are removing items from the club.
Officers at the scene have declined to comment on what police are doing at the Baker Street site.
Last year, city police revealed they were investigating the organization after receiving inquiries about its operations from local doctors who had been approached by patients to sign prescription forms for use at the club.
