No power for legal pot garden
That was three weeks ago and Palmer has had no electricity to refrigerate his HIV medications in his apartment in a Toronto Community Housing (TCH) building on Dundas St. E.
"A year ago I asked my landlord for permission and consent to set up my operation. I put my Health Canada licence with my application but I never got a response," he said. "I knew sooner or later someone would make a stink about it but I never thought I would have my power turned off."
Medical marijuana can relieve the nausea caused by HIV medications, increase a patient's appetite and help with chronic pain. Palmer, 44, who was diagnosed with HIV in 1997, had a marijuana crop of 25 small plants.
His operation was set up by a professional electrician so he said there is no safety risk. "My plants are dead and I'm living in the dark," he said.
On Sept. 23 Palmer was in the unit next door, occupied by his father, when he says he heard the landlord and firefighters enter his apartment.
"I had no notice from (TCH) housing that they would be entering my apartment. I heard them going in and I was paranoid and couldn't move," Palmer said.
"When they turned off the electricity, they put my health at risk. At least, I can store my drugs in my dad's fridge."
Social housing officials will look into the situation but won't discuss specifics, citing privacy laws, according to TCH spokesman Jeff Ferrier.
Palmer's lawyer, John Norquay, with the HIV and AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario, wrote to housing officials, noting his client is legally allowed to produce marijuana.
Norquay told housing officials they have a legal duty under the Human Rights Code to accommodate Palmer's disabilities, in this case, HIV.
Related News
National Grid warns of short supply of electricity over next few days
LONDON - National Grid has warned that Britain’s electricity will be in short supply over the next few days after a string of unplanned power plant outages and unusually low wind speeds this week.
The electricity system operator said it will take action to “make sure there is enough generation” during the cold weather spell to prevent a second major blackout in as many years.
“Unusually low wind output coinciding with a number of generator outages means the cushion of spare capacity we operate the system with has been reduced,” the company told its Twitter followers.
“We’re exploring measures and actions to make…
