Cannabis Activist Plans Public Rally At OBA HQ

August 29, 2014

Medical-Marijuana-Stock-ImageThe OBA’s next caucus meeting on Tuesday, September 2, will “meet a rebellion” against a “trick the Government played on gravely ill and dying patients”, says cannabis activist Alan Gordon.

Mr. Gordon said that last January, Minister Michael Dunkley “told the public that compassionate cannabis permit applications could be filed with his office, with a doctor’s support.

“This has proven to be untrue, with the Permanent Secretary as well as the Health Ministry Chief Medical Officer denying the programme’s existence,” said Mr. Gordon.

“Gravely ill and dying patients took the Premier at his word, and scurried from doctor to doctor, sapping their final reserves of time and energy, only to find out that Government had secretly cancelled the programme, despite taking public credit for their alleged compassion.”

Mr. Gordon called Government’s move a “dirty trick” to play on the gravely ill and dying, and said “The time for sound bites and stock answers is over. We want direct, honest talks with follow-up questions because we were lied to, and we don’t trust these guys anymore.”

The activist has also requested that in any talks with the Premier, that journalist Ayo Johnson be present as a “fair witness”.

Mr. Gordon said, “The rally, scheduled for 6:30 pm outside the OBA HQ on Reid Street, will feature patients stretching a thin, soft paper chain across the exit to the building.

“Any OBA official who has a legitimate health care or child care concern will be allowed to leave without breaking the paper chain,” explained Mr. Gordon.

“Otherwise, any official who tries to escape prior to Premier Dunkley’s appearance will have to break the chain and be seen by the public and the media to have fled gravely ill patients who allege that they were deceived by the Premier of Bermuda.

“For public safety and order, demonstrators must not impede any pedestrians or vehicles along Reid Street, and so should line up single file to the East and West of the OBA HQ. ”

Mr. Gordon says the rally will be attended by patients, family members, caregivers, and members of the public who sympathise with their plight, and also invited concerned members of the public to participate.

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  1. Double D says:

    What?

    You can’t stop people from leaving anywhere or deem yourself the authority on if someone is alowed to leave a place or establishment. That is called kidnapping no matter your cause or your extreme views.

    Get a grip Gordon. Or better yet smoke a spliff to calm your nerves. Your extremism doesn’t help your cause one bit.

    • Double D says:

      And it should also be noted that the former Min. of Health signed off on the importation of cannabis oil for a patient that had lodged a request with the Minister.

      Have any of ‘your’ patients tried that route?

      • outkasted says:

        ya late mate.

      • Alan Gordon says:

        The patients all tried this route and were rebuffed by increasingly ridiculous excuses. The excuses were often self-contradictory

    • betty dump says:

      It’s a paper chain… I don’t think anyone is going to be held against their will…

    • Muhammad Goldberg says:

      Uh, no. that is not how kidnapping is defined by law. You appear to be choosing to have reading comprehension issues…
      This symbolic restraining of government members with thin pieces of paper is a creative form of protest aimed at getting the Premier to respond to a serious and urgent issue: People are suffering and dying in pain and they do not have to!
      It boggles the mind that we are so slow to make positive change happen in this tiny country.
      Good luck Mr. Gordon

    • Jon says:

      It would be symbolic, not forced restraint from leaving the building, it is a paper chain, not an iron one. At least Mr. Gordon is not afraid to publicly cry out to the travesty that is Bermuda’s policies on Cannabis. How 17th Century. Actually, not really, because up until the 1940s era, Cannabis was used by many nations, and by Queen Victoria for more than 30 years. It is the 20th Century mentality that is failing Bermudans and the world alike, for this Cannabis medicine Mr. Gordon is fighting for is wonderful, I have viewed it healing cancer and serious dis-ease when the patient was told to go home and prepare to die.

      Perhaps some of the naysayers should show up and meet Mr. Gordon and share that spliff and open your minds. For now, they are definitely closed.

    • Alan Gordon says:

      All this is irrelevant mis-information. Red herrings.

      Patients are dying, and need help, now, not excuses.

  2. WhistleBlower says:

    Governments research such Acts/ Laws first to find ways they can make any profit from it first. If this is not possible concern over the well being of citizens are dashed.

    So sad it was secretly done but not shocking. Waiting to hear the response from our Premier

  3. Hmmm says:

    I see nowhere in the January article, where it states what Gordon claims.

    To Bernews: Perhaps you have another article where it does???? Maybe I missed it as I read through quickly.

    • Alan Gordon says:

      Patients are dying, and need help, now, not excuses.

      A patient got a permit, others were invited to apply and were rebuffed by impossible-to-meet conditions, in life-or-death time-sensitive situations.

      2 patients died waiting.

  4. LOL (Original TM*) says:

    Parties must be fearfull of the church vote even though it really has nothing to do with the church. What is it about this issue makes Bermuda Government stop in it tracks? So much time and money on stopping its use could litterally wipe out the debt in a few years. Lives destroyed due to it illaglity of it not its use. Guys get anti-social cause they gotta try to hide it causing them to look suspisious that is where the stigma begins in the rest of the population. Depending on how it’s taken in has no notable bad side effects. Oh well the party that actually does something tangable on this issue might just get my vote.

    LOL this issue is like conscription they drag it in front of the voters face for election time and then subdue the voter with parties after mean while continueing to look people up and fuelling the gangs with a gold cash crop.

  5. LiarLiar says:

    Here is the law:

    “Section 12(3) states, Subject to subsection (4), the Minister shall so exercise his power to make regulations under subsection (1) as to secure that it is not unlawful under section 5(1) for a practitioner, acting in his capacity as such to prescribe, administer, manufacture, compound or supply a controlled drug, or for a pharmacist, acting in his capacity as such, to manufacture, compound or supply a controlled drug; and that it is not unlawful under section 6(1) for a practitioner or pharmacist to have a controlled drug in his possession for the purpose of acting in his capacity as such.

    “Section 12(4) states that if in the case of any controlled drug the Minister is of the opinion that it is in the public interest— for production, supply and possession of that drug to be either wholly unlawful or unlawful except for purposes of research or other special purposes; or for it to be unlawful for practitioners or pharmacists to do in relation to that drug any of the things mentioned in subsection (3) except under a licence or other authority issued by the Minister, he may by order designate that drug as a drug to which this subsection applies; and while there is in force an order under this subsection designating a controlled drug as one to which this subsection applies, subsection (3) shall not apply as regards that drug.

    “The Misuse of Drugs (Designation) Order 1973 lists Cannabinol, Cannabinol derivatives, Cannabis, and Cannabis resin.

    “As such, section 12(4) applies to Cannabis as a drug which the Minister finds either wholly unlawful, unlawful except for research or special purpose, or unlawful for practitioners or pharmacists (to prescribe, administer, manufacture, compound or supply) unless licensed or authorised.

    ———————————————–

    So is Gordon saying that the Government has lied about the existence of this legislation?

    It clearly states that at the permission of the Minister cannabis products/derivtatives can be imported for patients it deems applicable. It is teh law and was confirmed by in June by Pat Pamplin who allowed for cannabis oil to be imported for a patient who requested permission from her while she was Minister of Health.

    Since you are apparently a lawyer isn’t that exactly what the above legsilative extract states? And also as a lawyer you should also be aware that holding people captive is illegal.

    • Alan Gordon says:

      I AM saying Government lied.

      They issued 1 permit to a patient. Other patients were personally invited to apply, and a public announcement was made to that effect by the Premier. When the patients tried to apply, the Govt kept changing the rules, so no one could get a permit. And there you have it. Patients died, and more are dying.

  6. Alan Gordon says:

    DoubleD, — I assure you, no one will be physically restrained in any way; neither kidnapping nor unlawful imprisonment will occur.

    Any official who wishes to break the cordon is free to do so, in front of the gravely ill patients, and in front of the media.

    I appreciate your concern that the Health Ministry once signed off on a permit. As it happens, despite the compassion shown there, Public Safety seems to have intervened and cancelled the programme. We have the correspondence.

    Thank you for your compassionate suggestion.

    • Double D says:

      It wasn’t a programme that could be cancelled.

      It is written in the legislation that was quoted in the January article linked above.

      So are stating that the provision of the noted legislation has been repealed since then?

    • hmmm says:

      What a strange time and on a friday…will anyone even be there???!!!

  7. concerned says:

    Wow come on bermuda the rest of the world is in on this,what’s so bad giving people the right to live there last days in comfort,and if this is a way people could die in peace what’s wrong,I know if let’s say tinkle had something that bad,and he found comforted in using it,what would be so bad,or would we know that he is,so many human rights act I’m sure that could be looked into,bermuda even behind the 8 ball even in that area,and I’m sure if we dig deeper enough I’m sure the human right act could jump in to protect these people,instead of making them feel wrong for doing something that gives them comfort,bermuda always in the dark ages!and yes government will make money off the sales help pull this country out of the hole there in,let’s be real,when government makes a arrest with weed,where does all of it go,please,we all know there used to be a place up prospect they used to use,they don’t use no more,so really where does all that go,be nice if they could answer that,cause when you here about weed being found from police,almost the next day you here its back on the street by who if they have it,bermuda small place you here about it from people out there talking.so people stop living in darl ages,one day I can be you needing to use it,for health reason,stop with the war on weed,cause god put it here for a reason,that’s already known by many country’s around the world,some people prefer the natural way,there it is,word NATURAL makes everyone crazy,and infect dunkley you crazy to take this and not have talks about this,this is not your bermuda to do as you want,its the people’s bermuda meaning everyone.

  8. concerned says:

    Tinkle was suppose to be dunkley name there my mistake.

  9. jt says:

    Time to organize a march in support of rallies. And then a rally supporting marches.

  10. Joonya says:

    “tries to escape”…? get a grip Alan.

  11. Unbelievable says:

    Yeah Alan, get a grip. Cannabis will NOT cure cancer or any other disease. Yes I guess it can ease pain but really that is it.

    Again I say, I still believe advocates of cannabis reform are using the idea of medicinal cannabis as a way of getting what they want….and that is to get high. I still don’t know why they don’t just come out and say it should be a personal freedom.

    • Tell the Truth says:

      Exactly!

    • Toodle-oo says:

      X 2

      And as hard as it will be for all the dislikers to believe this comes from someone in favour of reform.

    • Herb Al says:

      First of all you have NO clue!! If you are speaking from experience,thats one thing! If you are speaking from off the top of your narrow mind,then you should do your research. Theres loads of information and testimonies to squash YOUR theory. I am living proof, after trying the drugs approved by the FDA, decided to go the “natural” way after discovering it had spread to a place where it was impossible to operate or do anything else. I spent time off the island so I could obtain the oil legally and almost a year later there is no sign of that desease!Your absolutely right, SMOKING, marijuana doesn’t cure cancer,it alleviates pain, increases appetite,takes away nausea, helps insomnia etc BUT its the components of marijuana that Doctors are now turning to as a means of treatment and in a lot of other cases,cure.I don’t think that you need many advocating for recreational use of marijuana because the US has already set the standard and we will soon see the world follow,esecially considering the state of the economy worldwide, ask Colorado and Seattle how theyre making out since legalizing and opening up recreational dispensaries!? Im speaking from experience! Are you?

    • Happy says:

      Sorry I’d have to disagree. Having spent several years in Canada I know several people who have medical marijuana permits. It may not cure cancer but it definitely eases a lot of symptoms. The thing a lot of people do not realize is the prescription drugs doctors will put you on to counter a lot of symptoms are not designed for that use. I had a family member who was prescribed several anti-depressants as one of their side effects was an increase in appetite. Do you have any idea what that does to the body once you’ve built up sufficient levels and then you don’t have it? The body crashes and the person becomes severely depressed as their brain chemistry is now thrown out of whack.

      There may be a good number of people that are hiding behind this to push for allowing personal use, but there are a lot of people who would genuinely benefit from this. I have a friend whose mother passed away two years ago,the ONLY thing that helped her to counteract the effects of her chemo was taking cannabis capsules.

      • Herb Al says:

        Sorry I as well as many others are living roof!! DO YOUR RESEARCH!!Pushing for the use of it medically has nothing to do with wanting to use recreationally as many countries have legalized or decriminalized marijuana and more are soon to follow. Medical marijuana is a different quality from recreational marijuana that you get from dispensaries in the US.The THC and CBD levels are controlled in Medical marijuana .It will be legalized here eventually.Why not cash in before it becomes the norm.The “street marijuana” you get here is of terrible quality. The medical and recreational dispensaries in the US are unbelievable.People visiting from all countries, races rich,poor young,old,etc. Its something to experience.I cant wait to go back for my next treatment!

      • C Powell says:

        Happy, I think you may be confusing simply smoking cannabis for pain relief aka medical marijuana and the oil extracted from cannabis aka actual treatment, remision and killing of many diseases such as cancer. I would suggest you like so many others do a bit more research into the difference. It’s a whole new world out there. Start with Rick Simpsons Oil and watch the Sanja Gupta videos on Cannabis Oil.

    • C Powell says:

      Can I ask if you have done any research to prove that cannabis extract oil will not cure, treat or send cancer as well as other diseases into remission? Or is your statement simply gut instinct?

    • Keepin' it Real!...4Real! says:

      I tried to explain this many moons ago…i was an advocate for legalization way back when your sons were being killed every other week…i was concerned about the violence which goes hand in hand with the black market system…i wanted to take the profits out of the equation…who wants a product that they can’t sell because users would be able to grow their own organic vegetation with out the GMO’s.
      I lost interest as soon as i heard the plea’s for medical usage…i knew the cause was doomed even though i am fully aware of its medicinal properties which are HARD CORE PROVEN FACTS being suppressed from the general population because of the thorn which it puts in the side of Pharmaceutical profits…the same Pharmaceutical profits that fund Medical Institutions that mold your Dr’s into scalpel wielders and drug pushers they are “Human Mechanics”…do some research on the sources that produce the text for the AMA and put forth as the curriculum at all medical universities…understand me now don’t get me wrong, if i was to smash my skull or break my leg hell yea gimme the scalpel and gimme those painkilling drugs… #1 you WILL NOT sway the Medical personnel.
      #2 you also WILL NOT sway the ill informed. #3 Until the Corporate sector signs off on this idea, then you can just FORGET IT!

    • YADON says:

      Top Ten Cannabis Studies of 2013
      News
      December 23, 2013
      2013 has been an incredible year for cannabis-related science, with dozens of peer-reviewed studies being released examining the benefits of cannabis ranging from weight-loss, to cancer-killing capabilities. Here we breakdown the ten most important (and groundbreaking) studies released this year.
      1. THC May Treat Inflammatory Diseases and Cancer By Altering Genes
      A government funded study published by the Journal of Biological Chemistry found that THC may actually alter certain genes in our body, which can result in a positive effect on a number of conditions, especially cancers and inflammatory diseases. This is the first study of its kind to find such a direct link between cannabinoids, and the alteration of genes.
      2. Cannabis Combats Brain Degeneration and Increases Stamina
      A study conducted at the Institute of Molecular Psychiatry at the University of Bonn in Germany found that cannabis triggers the release of antioxidants, which acts as a cleansing mechanism, resulting in the removal of damaged cells and improving the efficiency of mitochondria, the energy source that powers cells, potentially increasing stamina.
      “These discoveries shed new insight on how natural marijuana cannabinoids hold the capacity to literally kill the brain inflammation responsible for causing cognitive decline, neural failure, and brain degeneration”, says Gery Wenk, a professor of neuroscience, immunology and medical genetics at Ohio State University.
      3. Cannabis Can Stop Seizures
      A study published by the British Journal of Pharmacology found that cannabis can stop seizures due to its “significant anticonvulsant effects”.
      4. THC Provides Protection from Heart Attacks
      Research published this year in the journal Biochemical Pharmacology found that even minuscule amounts of THC can provide protection from heart attacks, as well as reduce the potential cardiovascular damage associated with suffering one.
      For the study researchers administered extremely small amounts of THC; 0.002 mg/kg, which is up to 10,000 times less potent than the average joint. Despite how small the dose was, researchers found it to be effective at protecting against heart attacks when administered 2 to 48 hours before an attack, and found it to help relieve the symptoms when administered afterward.
      “[THC] is a safe and effective treatment that reduces myocardial ischemic (heart attack) damage”, states the study. It concludes: ”[O]ur study provides novel evidence for the beneficial use of extremely low doses of THC, doses that do not elicit any psychoactive side effects, in order to protect the heart from ischemic insults. THC can be used as a pre-conditioning drug in cases in which ischemic insult to the heart is anticipated, such as during cardiac surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention.”
      5. Cannabinoids Found to Reduce 90% of Skin Cancer in Just 20 Weeks
      Researchers at the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health had a study published this year in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, which found that cannabinoids can reduce up to 90% of skin cancer in just a 20 week period in animal models.
      Related Studies:
      Cannabinoids Destroy Cancer Cells, Prevents Them From Growing
      Cannabis Kills Brain Cancer Cells
      Cannabinoids Can Kill Gastric Cancers Cells
      THC Kills Stomach Cancer Cells
      6. THC May Be Helpful in Combating HIV
      A study published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology found researchers infecting white blood cells with the HIV virus, before then exposing the cells to synthesized THC. After doing so, the cells saw a drastic decrease in the rate of HIV-1 infection.
      7. Cannabinoids May Be Best Medication For Those With PTSD
      A study conducted by researchers at the New York University School of Medicine, and funded by the National Institute of Health, found that those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) had a lower number of active cannabinoid receptors in the brain. According to researchers, this study paves the way towards using cannabis as an effective medication for the condition, given that cannabinoids activate the body’s cannabinoid receptors.
      8. Cannabis Can Treat Osteoarthritis
      A study published in the journal PLOS One, as well as by the National Institute of Health, found strong evidence that activation of our body’s cannabinoid receptors – something done naturally by cannabis – can treat osteoarthritis (OA), which, according to the study’s researchers, is “a prevalent disease accompanied by chronic, debilitating pain”. It’s the most common joint disorder.
      9. Cannabis May Prevent Organ Transplants From Being Rejected
      An importand study published in the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology found that cannabis may actually prevent organs from being rejected during transplant, which often leads to death. The irony in this is that in most countries, people are refused organ transplants if their blood tests positive for cannabis, even if they’re a qualified medical cannabis patient in an area where its legal.
      10. Cannabis May Grow Stem Cells, Repair the Brain After Injury
      A study published in the December issue of the journal Biochemical Society Transactions, and published online early by the National Institute of Health, found that the brain’s endocannabinoid system – which is activated through cannabis use – has neuroprotective and immunomodulatory capabilities, and may actually lead to the growth of stem cells.

    • James Rego says:

      It should be a personal freedom!

    • Jon says:

      Cannabis has treated cancer, diabetes, Lupus, Lyme Disease, PTSD, COPD and the list goes on and on. If you don’t know something, you should research it before you spout off about people using sick and dying patients to get cannabis legal for recreational purposes. Anyone who comes at me with that I just shake my damn head. You seriously think Alan Gordon has spent the better part of 30 years wasting his time to legalize cannabis when he could have just sat on his couch and smoked it anyway? That is absurd. It is documented as a medicine 5,000 years ago, and in the Pharmacopoeias around the world up until the 1940s n 1950s. The US deceived the world into believing “marihuana” was a danger to society, and now we are left to pharmaceuticals and chemotherapies to treat our illnesses. Wonderful results too.

      I was living in Boston, a man from Bermuda flew over to get Chemo treatments. I suggested he try Cannabis Oil as it would not damage his body and would help kill his cancer (cannabinoids cause apoptosis, which is a programmed cell death induced when cannabis compounds reach the cancerous cells). He went ahead with the procedure as planned, and within two months was dead because of a weakened immune system and couldn’t stave off pneumonia. Cannabis is known to be an immune system enhancer, and Chemo death rates are atrocious. So get some facts before you degrade what Mr. Gordon is doing. There are thousands of people walking around today who were told by modern medicine that they would be dead within months. And they are going on years. Cannabis Oil and a healthy diet and you will survive almost anything. People are right now, away from and in Bermuda. Get a grip, it is an herb bearing seed. Check Genesis 1:29-31 if you need a Biblical reference. And that is my two cents.

    • Alan Gordon says:

      Cannabis wont cure cancer, eh?

      ;)

      Tell that to the patients we sent overseas for free organic cannabis oil (legal).

      They are doing very nicely, thank you very much

      :D

  12. somuchless says:

    I bet the paper will be toilet paper lol

  13. Redo says:

    Dumbest protest ever.

    • Keepin' it Real!...4Real! says:

      dumbest comment ever…tsk tsk.

  14. Steve Davis says:

    Why have the OBA not properly addressed this issue!? It is time for progressive reform Dunkley!

    • Unbelievable says:

      When are you lot going to understand that laws and policy just doesn’t get made up overnight or just because you ask or demand it.

      If marijuana is going to be legalised or decriminalised, it’s going to happen when Parliament is in session and as of right now, it’s on summer recess. I guess the lack of political drama from the House of Assembly have you folks desperately waiting for some.

      • C Powell says:

        Get sick and see if you can wait for policy change?

      • Alan Gordon says:

        This isn’t ‘overnight’. The dying patients started asking 1.5 years ago. This isn’t rocket science

        1 patient already got a permit, why can’t the others have them?

  15. newconfidence says:

    sounds like a lot of paper will be used. waste of trees if you ask me. we should start a rally against this man for wasting paper and killing trees. hope you recycle the paper after.

    • Ryan Flood says:

      Maybe we should start a rally against not having hemp paper that only grows…I don’t know, like 100x faster than trees…that produce oxygen that we sort of need to survive and regulate atmosperical temperatures. Wait, we’re trying to create jobs and imagine how many Bermudian lumberjacks would be out of a job not to mention the CoH.

    • C Powell says:

      Doing a little research might help you understand the potential benefits of what is being discussed here. This is not recreational smoking of pot but medicinal benefits of the ingredients within that are effecting millions already. Please feel free to start by researching Rick Simpson Oil for a more informed view on the topic.

    • Alan Gordon says:

      Utterly ignorant haters will say ANYTHING.

      Look at the absurdity and negativity and rudeness of those opposed here, versus the politeness of the pro-reform comments.

      Count the likes and dislikes on each comment. That’s a poll unto itself.

      Haters, get thee gone.

  16. newconfidence says:

    oh and not one piece of paper better hit the ground and blow away. then you could be charged with littering.

    • Hmmm says:

      I’m sure Alan will ensure there is no litter. Give him some credit.

      We don’t live in a police state.

      • Keepin' it Real!...4Real! says:

        not yet…but we are on the right path…soon come.

  17. Rhonnda aka Blue Familiar says:

    I empathise with the patients and their families, and I understand the desire to protest, but even symbolic restraint is a bad idea. I’d suggest that part of things be rethought.

    I don’t believe there was ever a programme in place, but each situation can make a request that is considered on a one by one basis.

    I would like to see marijuana legalised before anything else is considered. Treat it like any other prescription drug and monitor how often and by who it’s prescribed.

    It’s certainly not a cure for anything, but it’s known to ease symptoms and pain in some people where other things do not.

    • Rhonnda aka Blue Familiar says:

      correction: I’d like to see marijuana legalised for medical purposes before…

  18. I really want people to get this wired up about their children’s education or lack of. Or Bermuda’s homeless. Or our seniors who do not get the care and love they deserve.

    But regarding this post: I would really like to know where the cannabis would have been coming from….did the doctors have to show some sort of proof that what they obtained was obtained legally?

    • C Powell says:

      I believe the “health” of a child trumps education and even having a home does it not?

      The cannabis extract oil can be obtained legally all around the world as I have done myself.

  19. Truth is killin' me... says:

    Alan Gordon…you sir are a s*** stirrer. I have compassion for dying cancer patients and there may be a use for hemp oil in this instance but you are going about things in the wrong way. I believe you have a hidden agenda.

    • Keepin' it Real!...4Real! says:

      Alan Gordon…you sir are a HERO(u notice how my words didn’t need editing…hehehe)…GO do what others will not…those dying cancer patients are your hidden agenda…you are their ONLY hope of a better quality of life before it is taken, right here in Bda…ummm, that is what compassion is…compassion isn’t just sympathies…true compassion includes action…but i bet you’ve dropped a few bucks in the cancer charities depository over the years…sorry to tell you that it doesn’t go to cancer research…lol… they’ve had the antibodies since they created the activators of your naturally born with, cancer cells…cancer is a survival mechanism…see if you can find that piece of documented evidence an get back to me.

    • Alan Gordon says:

      A hidden agenda?

      And if I DID, does that mean it’s OK to leave the status quo in place? Children and adults are DYING

  20. Time for change says:

    Why is it that so many people are against this idea? If you dont want to use it than thats fine. Whos right is it to tell people what they can or can’t use to treat their illness. If its what works for them and it makes them comfortable than how is that going to change your lives. The education system told us its bad. But f*ck the system n do your own research. The side effects of cannabis are minimal compared to the pills being given out

  21. Alan Gordon says:

    It’s funny… read all these comments, and a pattern emerges:

    1. the anti-protest letters are snide or rude

    2. the pro-activism letters are polite.

    I suggest that OBA bloggera are at it again.

    To those who said cannabis will not cure cancer, I say:

    1. So what? If it provides relief that no other drug can, a patient should be able to have it. Arguing that it fails to cure cancer? That’s like saying they shouldn’t have morphine since it doesn’t cure cancer. How CRUEL!

    2. There are several Bermudian patients taking cannabis oil for advanced cancer who show tremendous progress. Cured? Nope, but chemo, radiation and surgery do not ‘cure’ cancer, either, and it is against the law to even say so, so why should cannabis be judged differently? There are over 900 studies showing cannabinoids as powerful cancer-killing agents. Be serious.

    Sounds like a bunch of paid OBA bloggers desperately trying to smear life-saving medicine, to get their Premier out of the corner he painted himself into. There is only 1 way out that allows him to ave face, and lying, smearing and insulting dying patients is not the way.

    • Double D says:

      How come you don’t address the legislation question posed to you above?

      Has the legislation allowing for the importation of cannabis products, the one quoted above, been repealed? If not, then what programme are you claiming has been cancelled?

      If the legislation stands as it did in January then what is the issue?

      And mate you need to read your overly aggressive opinion pieces before you label anyone as being snide and rude. You have a lot of nerve saying that only people with legitimate child and healthcare care concerns can be allowed to cross your paper line. Do they have to provide a doctors note or prove to you they have prior commitments to pass your test. Seriously I am all for reform, but you need to get over yourself.

      Answer the question above if you wanted to be taken seriously.

      • Muhammad Goldberg says:

        I’m sorry, what is your point? Do you want to prevent sick and suffering people from getting medicine that is proven to alleviate their pain? You seem to be more concerned with proving some kind of technical point for your own egotistical reasons than addressing the real issue and I find that to be absolutely pathetic.
        Mr Gordon, I am an OBA voter. I will be attending your protest and I will be contacting my local mp about this issue. Very disappointed in the current administration on this issue. Keep fighting!

        • Double D says:

          The point being is that Gordon is claiming that people are lying based on Dunkley’s January statement in which the relevant legislation was highlighted regarding this matter. Now Gordon is claiming that Dunkley lied based on that statement and stating that some super secret cannabis programme was cancelled. Please show me where this secret programme was ever mentioned in the January statement to which Gordon is basing his accusations upon. You can’t because they don’t exist.

          If the legislation is still there as it was in January then nothing has changed in terms of the legal avenues for procuring weed for medical purposes. And if that is the case then what are you protesting against? Can you answer that question?

          The government commissioned the CRC that came up with a comprehensive report on weed which was tabled in the House and there is legislation being crafted now based on the recommendations. Has the Government anywhere stated that they are against medical marijuana? If not I have to ask what are you protesting and why are you disappointed? Or is it simply you don’t think they are moving fast enough?

          I am all for reform, but I cannot support a protest under false pretenses. Now if the Givernment did lie (not sure how they did if Pamplin allowed in weed oil for a patient who requested it) and secretly changed the legislation quoted in January then you have a point. So again what are you protesting?

  22. Herb Al says:

    lol so you are human!?!? and female! TAKE ALL THE TIME YOU NEED!! LOL enjoy your holiday.

  23. Collie man says:

    Herb tea for infants?

  24. Sofia says:

    The problem is not with legalizing medical grade marijuana in Bermuda; the real problem is obtaining a supply. The exportation of marijuana, in any form, is governed by a series of international conventions, the strictest being controlled by the United Nations General Assembly. To my knowledge, unless Bermuda can circumvent international and UK laws to grow and process medical grade marijuana, the only other methods of obtaining it would be by purchasing it from countries that produce it under license and which have obtained permission to export it (I believe Uruguay is the only country so far that is licensed to export medical marijuana. Failing that, it must be obtained illegally. If buying from illegal growers from any country, there would be no controls on the quality, strength of cannabinoids or adulteration by toxic substances.

    Canada is, I believe, the largest producer of medical grade marijuana but does not export it as it is prohibited by both Canadian and international laws; Bermuda cannot import it because it falls under conventions to which the UK is a signatory.

    Alan Gordon fails to understand the complexity of the issue as it relates to Bermuda and needs to do a lot more “homework” about how medical marijuana applies to different illnesses before getting everybody tied up in knots and taking to the street.

    • sage says:

      So when Pat Pamplin (secretly) issued a permit for cannabis oil, just where did it come from? Was it somehow legal? How many more were issued, and by whom? There is nothing complex about repealing unjust, nonsensical laws, they constitute a human rights atrocity, it needs to end, and brick by brick it is ending. So you do some homework so you and our leaders don’t have to be dragged, kicking and screaming into the future.

  25. Alan Gordon says:

    There are a number of ways by which cannabis can be imported/exported within the Treaty restrictions, but more importantly: why is it OK for us to put the production burden on other countries (for whom it’s OK to do so), but not do it ourselves?

    Cannabis medicine is perishable produce, the same way tomatoes and carrots are. If it is too dangerous for us to grow here (the way patients all over the world do), then it is too dangerous to grow in other countries, in which case any policy requiring that is a selfish, ‘not in my backyard, but in yours’ attitude.

    Bermuda needs to grow up and pull on its big girl panties over this issue.

    What a bunch of crybabies the naysayers are being (despite having not stake, not suffering themselves over it in any way).

    STOP whining and save some lives! This isn’t a masturbatory intellectual debate… how would you feel if it were your spouse or parent or child dying, while snarky know-it-all comments got made by recent self-appointed experts with little to no knowledge of the rules, laws and science at play?

    • Double D says:

      All for reform as I have said numerous times.

      But it is you that has made the claim and your protest based on the accusation that the statement made by Dunkley in January were lies. All I see in the statement is a highlighting of the relevant piece of legislation. You have made the claim that Dunkley lied and cancelled some secret programme that was never mentioned in the January statement to begin with. You even claim to have proof of some sort of this secret weed programme that has been eliminated. And so I ask again what is the lie that you speak of and has the legislation been repealed since January? It has to be answered because you are basing your Tuesday protest on the claim that the. Government lied. Show the lie. That’s all I ask and thus your protest will have some legitimacy In regards to your accusations.

      I am all for weed reform. More than you could possibly understand. But I am not for riling up outrage based on false truths. It has nothing to do with an intellectual debate and more of a honest one. Either way I have a distinct feeling that you will not answer the question and continue to portray that I am somehow against medical marijuana.

    • Hmmm says:

      You want to GROW cannabis under the guise of supplying for medical needs.

      NO. NO. NO.

      I have no problem with importing persribed medicine tablets or oils that could and would not be used for recreational purposes.

      If you can’t agree with that, then what you state as your reasons are not actually your reasons.

      • sage says:

        It is legal to grow tobacco here, people do it, it is imported in cigarette and cigar form to be smoked recreationally and tobacco Kills 5 million +humans, annually, worldwide, you and your ilk do and say nothing to protest this genocide, yet ganja which is useful medicinally and has never killed a soul, ever, becomes the target of your hate filled ignorant diatribe, I actually feel sorry for you

  26. Alan Gordon says:

    The Premier told them he could have it. They spent time and money trying to apply. |

    Then the programme was secretly suspended.

    Those gravely ill persons were deceived into wasting their last precious time and effort.

    Enough bickering, enough excuses.

    • Double D says:

      Ahhh. There it is.

      In the January statement Dunkley noted that the legislation is already in place for medical practitioners to apply to the Minister for possible importation of medical marijuana which will be judged on a case-by-case basis. Nowhere in the referencing of the legislation did he state that all applications would be granted.

      And again this is a legislation, which cannot be secretly suspended, and not a secret programme.

      Dunkley didn’t lie and thus your protest is based on false pretenses as you stated your protest is about lies, lies and more lies.

      Did your patients apply directly to the Minister with a practitioners recommendation or did you stop at the Permanent Secretary level? If not then why wouldn’t you go directly to the Minister as you being a lawyer should know that is what the legislation states (I.e. The Minister has final say/discretion)?

      Either way we both agree on the need for reform while I disagree with your false accusations and strong language behind them. If anything it is you that have diverted from the truth in this matter and is misleading people about the cause of your protest. If you want to protest because you think progress is too slow then state that as it will be much more of a legitimate concern as compared to your initial accusations.

      Happy holiday Gordon and remember don’t get high on your own supply:)

  27. SmIttY says:

    Mr Gordon, some in here will never get it and will NEVER WANT to get it! They come on Bernews and preach the few negative affects of marijuana ALL WHILE INDULGING IN THEIR FAVORITE ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE! BTW what good does alcohol serve besides getting DRUNK?