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Letters of Support
By Hempology | March 5, 2002
[Over the past few weeks, letters of support have been pouring in from people concerned that the Government may try to put Ted in a cage for selling medicine to sick people. Here are some of the letters that have come in on paper. There are five letters being posted today; three from members, one from a schoolteacher, and one from a doctor. Read more to find out what these people have had to say about the CBCoC and Ted.]
Letters Of Support
February 20, 2002
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing in support of Mr. Ted Smith. I met Ted about three years
ago when I went to the Vancouver Island Buyers Club (VIBC)
for the first time. I have purchased marijuana from the VIBC on several
occasions. I was granted immunity from arrest for the cultivation and
use of marijuana in the treatment of pigmentary dispersion
syndrome glaucome in October 2001.
My past experiences with Health Canada leaves me extremely discouraged
about the process currently in place for people who are ill to access
medicinal marijuana. Twenty-three months elapsed from the time I applied
to Health Canada for exemption from Section 56 of the Criminal Code, to
the time I was granted permission. At one point, Health Canada notified
me that they had leaked the personal information of several of those
of us who had applied for exemption from Section 56 of the Criminal Code
to the media. In the process of following up on this misuse of personal
information, I discovered that the Office of the Privacy Comissioner,
although aware of this obvious blunder, refused to intervene in a
meaningful way. In addition to coping with the challenges of a chronic
disease, my family and I have been forced to endure a excessive amount of
beurocratic and psychological pressure in the process of procuring
medication. My last correspondence to Health Canada, written in October
2001, asking for illumination regarding how I am to access marijuna or
marijuana seeds, has been ignored.
The Vancouver Island Buyers Club has been able to provide the marijuana to
me that Health Canada is sanctioning.
If you require further information, please contact me at the above
address. Thank you.
Sincerly,
Dom Fetherson, BC, RTC
DownTown Naturopathic Centre
733 Johnson Street, Suite 226, Victoria, B.C. V8W3C7
Dr. Braven Rayne, Naturopathic Physician
(250) 380-1221
Feb 20th/02
In defence of Ted Smith, it has come to my attention that
Ted Smith of Victoria has been charged with possession of
marijuana for the purposes of trafficking in his capacity
to provide this as medicine to bonifide clinically ill
people as relief for their disease. One of my own patients
finds significant relief for his chronic back pain by
consuming marijuana and Ted Smith’s Cannabis Buyers Club is
the only reliable source of this medicine for him. This
patient was reatly relieved to realize that he did not have to
“go underground” to obtain his medicine.
Given that the Canadian Government has seen the wisdom to legalize
possession of marijuana for medica use, yet to date has no available
legal sources of this medicine for the chronically ill, it is
the height of hipocracy to harass, aresst & penalise courageous
people like Ted Smith for filling a need for legitimate medical
cases.
The government and police must see the wisdom in having a hands off
policy regarding the supply of marijuana to people in need of it’s
medicinal effects until such times as the government of Canada makes
available its own legalized supply centres!
As a medical practioner, I stand in defence of Ted Smith.
most sincerely,
Braven Rayne, N.D.
Leanna Madill
Spectrum Community School
957 West Burnside Road
Victoria, British Columbia
V8Z 6E9
February 25, 2002
To Whom it May Concern:
Ted Smith was a guest speaker at Spectrum Community School in November
2001 to speak on information regarding marijuana.
Although the topic is controversial and there are many questions
regarding the appropriateness of discussing this within a school
setting, I found Ted to be educated and professional. He spoke about
the positives and negatives of legalization, medical use, and other
issues related to marijuana. This was an educational experience for
the variety of classes present that day: Biology, Social Studies,
and English.
In the future, I would welcome Ted Smith tos peak to our students
again on the issue.
Sincerely,
Leanna Madill
Spectrum Community School Teacher
#402-757 Pandora Ave.
Victoria, BC
To whom it may concern,
My name is Stefan, I’m 43 years old. Starting at age 11 I was diagnosed
with a tumor on my tail bone, causing nerve pain in my left leg, bladder
and tumor, and other complications. By the time I was 17 I had over ten
surgeries. Over the years I’ve spend 3-4 years of my life in hospitals.
Today I use a wheelchair and a motorized scooter. Due to unbearable pain
and spasms, I need to use strong medicine. The valium is for anxiety and
spasms, spasms so bad, like a 40lb salmon out of water. Well, much to my
surprise cannabis was the solution, medicinally, which alleviated most
of my symptoms – the spasms especially.
Therefore I am writing on behalf of Ted Smith, president of Hempology 101,
proprietor of Ted’s Books on Johnson St, and coordinator of the Cannabis
Buyers’ Clubs of Camada. Mr. Smith is not a drug traffic operator, even
though he and/or we are considered outlaws for using and providing
medicine. If you cannot provide proof of legitimate chronic ailments,
you can’t become a member. If you’re caught buying for the purpose of
trafficking, Ted will kick you out – this I’ve personally witnessed,
multiple times. Mr. Smith is an honest, righeous, non-self-serving,
and honourable citizen, whose face is either buried in a book, the
computer, or helping someone face-to-face.
I submit to you that Ted Smith is not a criminal, but someone who is
brave enough to take on this controversy simply to help myself and others.
Willow Cerridwyn,
#420 – 310 Robert Street,
Victoria, B.C.
V9A 3Z4
February 25, 2002
To Whom It May Concern,
Ted Smith is a man who stands by his beliefs and runs his business,
the Cannabis Buyers Club with the utmost integrity. That is why I like
to see Ted at the store; I feel comfortable knowing that there aren’t
any street drug dealers on or about the premesis. I know that when Ted
is at the store I will be treated with dignity and fairness. I want to
see Ted remain at the helm of this organization because I am a customer
of his.
I suffer from several incurable diseases that are eased by the use
of marijuana: Hepatitis C, Fybromyalgia, and Osteoarthritis in my joints.
When I use marijuana I have less digestive problems, less pain in my body,
and therefore, less stress on my mind so that I can relax and sleep when
I need to. I am greatful to be a member (#646) of Ted Smith’s Cannabis
Buyers Club. My quality of life has improved because of Ted Smith and
I don’t want to see him go to jail. Where else can I get good quality
medicine at a reasonable price and not have to worry about being robbed
on the street by people I don’t know? If you put Ted in jail, you force
me to go to the street dealers. I am not a criminal, just an individual
who is ill. Please let us members have some dignity with our method of
medical therapy and continue to allow the Cannabis Buyers Club operate
for us.
Sincerely,
Willow Cerridwyn – #646
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