The Montreal Compassion Club (MCC), located at 4657 Papineau, condemns the police raids led by the SPVM on the 3rd of May 2010. Five administrators of the club were arrested on that date. This intervention temporarily puts to a halt the activities of the MCC which had been providing medicinal marijuana to the community since 1999. Police claim that they are not targeting people with medical conditions, but today hundreds of club members with medical conditions are left without safe access to medicinal marijuana.

The police operation unfolded simultaneously in a number of « distribution centers » managed by different groups. Members of the MCC are exclusively people suffering from a recognized medical condition which is backed up by a verified physicians’ statement of diagnosis. Moreover members must adhere to a strict code of conduct based on mutual respect at the personal and community levels. This code of conduct is strictly enforced and well respected.

Following a lengthy trial which ended with a suspension of procedures in 2002, the MCC has been providing its members safe access to affordable medicinal marijuana of the highest possible quality. Access to medicinal marijuana is exceptionally difficult for those who would rather avoid the black market and its possible criminal elements. The MCC provides safe access, advocates a community-based approach and has developed specific expertise over the years in order to advise our membership in the most competent and responsible manner possible.

The recent police raid has just dramatically curtailed accessibility to medicinal marijuana. It tears our members away from the comforting presence of qualified personnel in touch with their needs. Despite the breadth of the raids, the police left our Papineau street club in very good condition. Friends and sympathizers will be on site on a daily basis to answer members' questions as well as those of the general community and of the media. A big legal battle is brewing….