[andyt]

Well no, this is prescribed medicine. And the RCMP was willing to let him smoke up at work, just not in his uniform. They need to treat this the way they would with anybody else who's taking meds that will affect their performance. In all the RCMP, they really have nobody taking opioids at work, or what, even anti-histamines. All sorts of drugs can affect work performance. Hell, a suicidal cop on anti-depressants can really affect his performance.

But this guy chose to push it too far, tried to make an issue out of it. Doesn't sound like he just wanted to get along, but wanted to make a case.

[Yogi]

Tories condemn marijuana smoking Mountie with PTSD 26

By Daniel Proussalidis ,Parliamentary Bureau


OTTAWA — Conservative ministers are crying foul over a Mountie who wears his ceremonial red uniform while publicly smoking dope to cope with post-traumatic stress disorder.

"That is not a conduct that is becoming a person who wears that uniform, while he's in uniform," Treasury Board President Tony Clement said. "While he's on duty, he should not be doing that."

A statement sent from Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney's office also condemns the actions of New Brunswick based Cpl. Ronald Francis, saying that Mounties should "conduct themselves with the highest integrity and professionalism."

The comments come after the CBC reported on Francis smoking medically prescribed marijuana while wearing his red serge.

Francis is allowed to smoke up to 15 joints daily to deal with PTSD symptoms that he developed while working in First Nations communities.

His marijuana smoking has left him shuffling paper for the Mounties and unable to perform operational duties, carry a firearm, or drive a police car.

RCMP spokesman Sgt. Greg Cox says taking a "mind-altering drug" prescribed by a doctor doesn't automatically disqualify any officer from desk duty.

"Every case must be reviewed and evaluated by the health service officer in order to determine the status of the member, mainly if he or she can perform any duties within the organization in a safe manner," said Cox in an e-mail.

"Of course, the health service officer would also have the option of placing the member on medical leave if no work can be performed safely for the member, colleagues and the Canadian public."

And he confirms that medical marijuana prescriptions for PTSD treatment get scrutiny by the Mounties' health officials.

"The treatment plan would be developed by the member's family physician," said Cox.

"The plan would then be reviewed by the health service officer to ensure the member is receiving the best care possible to treat their respective condition. The HSO has the ability to discuss the treatment plan with the member and his or her treating physician to look at alternatives."

Still, Cox said RCMP senior brass have made clear they don't want Francis to smoke medical marijuana in public, and especially not while he's in uniform.

"It would not be advisable for that member," said Cox. "It would not portray the right message to the general public. It's definitely not something we would support or condone."

[Curtman]

$1:

“The RCMP wants my uniform, that’s fine, but they’re not getting my [20 years of service] medal,” he said, upset. “The medal is something I’ve worked for and earned. It’s hard when you’ve believed in something for so long and you have to turn it in because they don’t like your medical prescription,” he said.

Again, does anyone think this should be done to someone who is prescribed Oxycontin? I haven't heard of anyone who thinks it should.

[DrCaleb]

I agree that smoking up in uniform is wrong, but taking this guy's uniform away like that was pretty harsh.

Curtman Curtman:

$1:

“The RCMP wants my uniform, that’s fine, but they’re not getting my [20 years of service] medal,” he said, upset. “The medal is something I’ve worked for and earned. It’s hard when you’ve believed in something for so long and you have to turn it in because they don’t like your medical prescription,” he said.

Again, does anyone think this should be done to someone who is prescribed Oxycontin? I haven't heard of anyone who thinks it should.

But the difference Curt is that smoking or possession of Marijuana is a crime without a prescription. They wouldn't let him drive a police cruiser while smoking either, because it's a crime. Committing a crime while in uniform is something we rail against around here all the time.

If he didn't do it while wearing the Red Serge, I doubt we'd hear about it.

[Curtman]

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

I agree that smoking up in uniform is wrong, but taking this guy's uniform away like that was pretty harsh.

Curtman Curtman:

$1:

“The RCMP wants my uniform, that’s fine, but they’re not getting my [20 years of service] medal,” he said, upset. “The medal is something I’ve worked for and earned. It’s hard when you’ve believed in something for so long and you have to turn it in because they don’t like your medical prescription,” he said.

Again, does anyone think this should be done to someone who is prescribed Oxycontin? I haven't heard of anyone who thinks it should.

But the difference Curt is that smoking or possession of Marijuana is a crime without a prescription. They wouldn't let him drive a police cruiser while smoking either, because it's a crime. Committing a crime while in uniform is something we rail against around here all the time.

If he didn't do it while wearing the Red Serge, I doubt we'd hear about it.

That's no difference at all. Its a crime to be in possession of Oxycontin without a prescription too. Its a horrible drug that can kill you. Professionally though, it seems to be the safer choice.

Common sense is the victim of the war on drugs.

[ShepherdsDog]

It`s no surprise that you just don`t get it. He was told not to toke while in uniform. The issue isn`t about him using medically prescribed marijuana. He went against an order...publicly and blatantly

[Curtman]

ShepherdsDog ShepherdsDog:

It`s no surprise that you just don`t get it.

...
Edited to:

ShepherdsDog ShepherdsDog:

It`s no surprise that you just don`t get it. He was told not to toke while in uniform. The issue isn`t about him using medically prescribed marijuana. He went against an order...publicly and blatantly

It's no surprise that you have nothing to add to the conversation but derision. Thanks for sparing us the graphic though.

You're fine with cops on opiates? Oh wait. I forgot who I was talking to.

EDIT: Thanks for the edit, you sound less crazy now. If he was ordered to not be gay, could they take his uniform away if he posted something on youtube?

[DrCaleb]

Curtman Curtman:

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

I agree that smoking up in uniform is wrong, but taking this guy's uniform away like that was pretty harsh.

But the difference Curt is that smoking or possession of Marijuana is a crime without a prescription. They wouldn't let him drive a police cruiser while smoking either, because it's a crime. Committing a crime while in uniform is something we rail against around here all the time.

If he didn't do it while wearing the Red Serge, I doubt we'd hear about it.

That's no difference at all. Its a crime to be in possession of Oxycontin without a prescription too. Its a horrible drug that can kill you. Professionally though, it seems to be the safer choice.

Common sense is the victim of the war on drugs.

But taking Oxycontin isn't as obvious as smoking a joint. The point in this is not the legality, it's the symbolism of the Red Serge. It is supposed to mean something, and smoking a joint in it disrespects that symbolism.

And taking Oxy it would be the professional choice in this case. There is a certain stigma still attached to smoking MJ, and you just don't do certain things in polite company.

[Curtman]

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

smoking a joint in it disrespects that symbolism.

This is 100% B.S. He's taking medicine to treat a medical condition. His doctor told him he should. It's the safest, most effective treatment for his condition.

DrCaleb DrCaleb:

And taking Oxy it would be the professional choice in this case. There is a certain stigma still attached to smoking MJ, and you just don't do certain things in polite company.

There's a stigma attached to being gay too. They aren't allowed to take his uniform for that either.

[ShepherdsDog]

$1:

This is 100% B.S. He's taking medicine to treat a medical condition.

is that what you tell your kids when you`re glassy eyed and raiding their candies?

[Curtman]

ShepherdsDog ShepherdsDog:

$1:

This is 100% B.S. He's taking medicine to treat a medical condition.

is that what you tell your kids when you`re glassy eyed and raiding their candies?

My kids don't know that I use pot. They're fast asleep by the time I'm raiding their candies.

[ShepherdsDog]

no has said it isn`t medicine numbnuts. Jesus, I think the special ed kids can grasp things faster than you can

[Curtman]

ShepherdsDog ShepherdsDog:

no has said it isn`t medicine numbnuts. Jesus, I think the special ed kids can grasp things faster than you can

Wonderful conversing with you again. Always, its a pleasure.

Even you has to see how completely stupid that is. He should be punished for taking his medicine? Or at the very least, he should be ashamed. To avoid punishment.

Try saying these things out loud maybe when you hear it, it'll seem nuts.

[andyt]

Because it's not just popping a pill, Curt, he should also be willing to make reasonable accommodation to his employer. Ie smoke it somewhere inconspicuous and not in the red serge (how often does he wear that anyways?) This guy is pushing a point, I guess because he thinks he's found the magic herb and wants to stand up for it. But you know, if somebody needed an injection, doubt of the RCMP would be too crazy about them doing that in full view as well - do it somewhere private. I doesn't sound like the RCMP is being all that unreasonable here, more that this guy is pushing an agenda. And the conflict would still exist if pot were perfectly legal - which it is for him.

[Curtman]

andyt andyt:

Because it's not just popping a pill, Curt, he should also be willing to make reasonable accommodation to his employer. Ie smoke it somewhere inconspicuous and not in the red serge (how often does he wear that anyways?) This guy is pushing a point, I guess because he thinks he's found the magic herb and wants to stand up for it. But you know, if somebody needed an injection, doubt of the RCMP would be too crazy about them doing that in full view as well - do it somewhere private. I doesn't sound like the RCMP is being all that unreasonable here, more that this guy is pushing an agenda. And the conflict would still exist if pot were perfectly legal - which it is for him.

I see what you're saying, and thanks for not being a crazy person when you say it.

It would probably seem different to most people if they could see it from the side of the patient who has been fed tonnes of pharmaceutical drugs, got sick from them, and eventually been given a chunk of a plant that has never killed anybody, didn't make you sick and just made your medical problem go away.

Then some dickhead decided that you weren't a good person because you took it.

It makes a person angry.

It's a civil rights issue because: like being gay, or being a visible minority, you didn't choose it. It's something that makes your life manageable, and you get punished for it.