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Plainsman1963

Legion, branch clash over hemp oil
10-06-06 | CBC.Ca

The Royal Canadian Legion has temporarily closed a branch in rural Nova Scotia because of its support of medicinal hemp oil, spurring complaints that it is muzzling free speech.

This week, the Nova Scotia-Nunavut Command of the Royal Canadian Legion temporarily pulled the charter of the branch in Maccan, in the province's northwest.

"They violated our rights of free speech to tell the truth," said Rick Dwyer, an ousted executive member.

Dwyer became an advocate for the oil after meeting a local producer, who claimed it helped a number of medical problems. Marijuana is a mixture of dried, shredded leaves, stems, seeds and flowers of the hemp plant.

After researching those claims, Dwyer decided to give three capsules a day to his cancer-stricken father. He was astonished by the results.

"He's come along real well," said Dwyer.

Soon legion members started using the hemp oil. But when they wanted to hold meetings about it, Dwyer said they were told the legion doesn't advocate the use of marijuana.

The executive decided to push ahead.

"When we see a wrong in this country it is our duty to stand up and speak out," Dwyer said.

"What honour is there in letting our loved ones suffer when there's no need for it?"

Dwyer said the legion membership voted unanimously to support the local producer and hold another meeting, this time inviting local politicians and hospital officials.

But the day of the meeting, the doors of the legion were locked.

Branch accused of being 'soapbox' for product

Steve Wessel, the chair of the provincial command, said Dwyer and the executive were trying to use the Royal Canadian Legion to endorse a product.

"Right now the government says it's illegal for people to grow marijuana unless they're government-sponsored," Wessel said.

"These people are not and they're using the Royal Canadian Legion as a soapbox to put this forward."

Wessel said the charter has only been suspended temporarily, and a management committee will look into the matter.

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Buzzby

Wouldn't it be great if branches of the American Legion would do the same thing? My cohort, the Vietnam veterans, are reaching an age where they're getting diseases for which marijuana would be an excellent treatment. Acceptance of medical marijuana is very high (75%) among people 45 and older surveyed by the AARP. That would include all the Korean War and Vietnam vets.

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