Dear Editor
When I read the article in The Journal (July 17) about Bylaw 789 that the Mayor and councillors of Ashcroft rushed through a first and second reading of, without a public hearing, I was amazed. Not only by the fact that they took it upon themselves to waive a public hearing, which is the right of the citizens of the Ashcroft community to express their view at, but at the complete ignorance of their actions.
First of all, the rules and regulations pertaining to the establishment of Medical Marijuana facilities are laid out by the Federal government in great detail. The T.N.R.D., who don’t have their heads in the sand, have approved one for the old fish hatchery up the Loon Lake Road and one at Green Lake using the Federal guidelines, not exceeding their mandate by passing bylaws that are contrary to Federal rules and regulations. The T.N.R.D. obviously knows the security and regulations that must be met to have these facilities set up. Oh, and that these facilities provide taxes and employment for people living in the area.
I seem to recall for the last 20 years a common complaint in Ashcroft and Cache Creek was that we need new business, we need employment, and we need to improve our tax base for when the landfill is no longer a major employer in the area to keep our towns and schools functioning. The container port is not going to do it all.
Let me see: Bylaw 789 states “No cultivation of Medical Marijuana (employment and taxes), no storing of marijuana (employment, building growth and taxes), no drying and packaging (employment and taxes), no distribution (no new store, no employment, wages and property taxes) in all zones.
Wake up and read the literature of the medical benefits of Medical Marijuana, councillors. Thousands of people have relief of chronic pain, epileptic seizures nausea from Chemotherapy, P.T.S.D. symptoms (Post traumatic stress disorder) and other medical conditions from the use of Medical Marijuana and hemp oils that are very low in TCH.
You should all have internet now. If not, go to the library and do some research there. You will find that many doctors who were naysayers are now reversing their positions based on recent research. Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a very famous American doctor is one of many who has reversed their stance on Medical Marijuana. One strain that is low in TCH but high in CBD (cannabidiol) reduced the epileptic seizures in a young girl named Charlotte Figi from 300 in a week to two to three a month.
The research facilities that are doing the tests for what illnesses can be cured are developing a large variety of new strains all over the world. However you are saying “Not in Ashcroft, Not In Our Backyard! We do not want new businesses, new jobs, taxes, etc.”
Doesn’t this kind of go against the Wellness theme? If we want to make it harder for those who need Medical Marijuana to be well, should not they be able to access it locally? I would like to extend my compliments and thanks to all the people in both communities who volunteer their time to make our communities a better, healthier place to live in - you do not get enough credit for your efforts.
Of course, the large pharmaceutical companies, who stand to lose billions as a result of people using Medical Marijuana and hemp oils to alleviate medical conditions and even cure Cancers, will want to stop this any way they can. They would applaud Ashcroft Bylaw 789. They might even give a donation of some sort to the town to thank them. Who knows, maybe even a matching grant.
If you agree that they need to rethink this, maybe phone your councillors or even go to a town meeting to let your voice be heard.
Bernt Fuglestveit
Cache Creek