Medical cannabis use is protected under Section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
What exactly are your rights?
To sum it up quickly, Section 7 protects your right to Life, Liberty and Security of the Person.
On June 11, 2015, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that prohibiting the possession of, or access to, medical cannabis is an infringement of this section because it forces medical cannabis patients to face possible criminal charges and opt for riskier, less effective and potentially addictive and deadly forms of treatment.
In other words, you have a right to choose natural, low-risk, effective treatment for what ails you and not be concerned about breaking the law.
Why storefront dispensaries are so important
The province of Ontario intends to handle RECREATIONAL retail cannabis sales through a government-controlled operation similar to the LCBO…but nothing like the LCBO in terms of selection and number of locations, and certainly very little education of medical value.
Medical storefront dispensaries have not yet been addressed and are important because they provide knowledgeable staff, an array of products and locations, and a fair market that ensures the cost to purchase quality medical cannabis is always competitive.
Medical storefronts are the front-line in protecting your right to safe, reasonable access to medical cannabis.
How you can be an activist
Contact your City Council member, member of provincial parliament, or federal government representative to voice your support for the value and necessity of private medical cannabis dispensaries. Write a letter, leave voicemail messages, and send emails. Most importantly, share with us your story about how we have helped you and we’ll be sure to advocate for you with your story!
Learn about the medical benefits of Cannabis and share what you have learned with others, both supporters and skeptics.
You can also visit any Pacifico Life Health and Wellness location and sign our Hamilton Votes Dispensaries campaign to make an immediate difference on a municipal level by exercising your rights and voting in dispensary supportive city council and mayoral candidates.