BROOKLYN, N.S. – A Nova Scotia family is speaking out about upcoming changes to Canada’s medical marijuana program. Troy Whynot says the changes will not only affect him, but his wife and children as well.
This past summer, the federal government announced sweeping changes to the marijuana medical access program. As of April 2014, participants will only be able to buy medical marijuana through a licensed provider. Whynot estimates he will have to pay 9 to ten times more than the cost of growing it himself.
Whynot is on a limited income, due to his disability, and knows he won’t be able to afford the marijuana anymore.
“I’m just beside myself right now when I get thinking about what I have to lose,” Whynot said through tears. “People don’t understand.”
Whynot’s daily routine includes $90 worth of medication each day to battle a long list of health problems. He was born with spina bifida and suffers from osteoarthritis. His daughter explains his doctors have also discovered early signs of leukemia.
“I don’t want him to get sick again and end up in a wheelchair or worse,” she said.
“I know how much this has helped him. If it gets taken away from him – he can’t afford it – then he’s going to end up really sick again and it just scares me.”
Whynot has been growing medical marijuana in his home for 15 years. He estimates he has spent $15,000 on the operation, which includes humidifiers, ventilation, an alarm system and motion sensors.
He disagrees with the government’s assertion that eliminating marijuana grow operations in homes will prevent fires and home invasions.
“I don’t know how the government can say they’re helping people like me because they’re not . They don’t want nothing to do with us – it’s like we’re an embarrassment.”
He says his anger really boiled over when the federal government sent him a letter two days ago, to inform him of the changes, in a clearly-marked envelope that alerted others he was in the program.
Health Canada has since apologized on its website for the letters, which were sent to more than 30,000 people.
Meanwhile, Whynot is coming to terms with the reality he won’t be able to grow his medical marijuana at home anymore. He is now beginning the process of applying to become a licensed provider, which he considers his last hope.
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