TUESDAY JUNE 16, 2015
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Serious crash on highway near Skookumchuck RCMP
One person is dead and four others were sent to hospital after a crash on Highway 93/95 near Skookumchuck on Sunday afternoon. Kimberley RCMP was notified of the crash just after 5:00 pm on June 14. BC Ambulance, Kimberley Fire Dept Highway Rescue all attended and assisted with the injured persons. The male driver was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. One person was transported by ground ambulance; three others were taken to hospital by helicopter. The extent of their injuries is unknown but two have been transferred to a Calgary hospital. Kimberley RCMP is continuing their investigation with the assistance of Southeast District Traffic Services. Local Search and Rescue volunteers who were in the area assisted in dealing with the injured persons.
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As summer approaches, it’s that time of year where graduating high school students celebrate the end of the calendar year and get ready for the next chapter in their lives. Students at Mount Baker Secondary School were recently recognized for their academic, athletic and community achievements during an awards ceremony at the Key City Theatre. Pictured above: The Cranbrook Health Care Auxiliary gave two $3,000 scholarships to two students. Left to right—Jim Kennelly, Second Vice president, Jade Duchscherer, Tessa Charlton and President Bonnie Close.
Marijuana activist applauds court ruling ARNE PETRYSHEN
A local Canadian activist for marijuana said the recent Supreme Court of Canada decision on consumables was a “land slide win” for those who consume medical marijuana. Tamara Cartwright Poulits started the East Kootenay Cannabis Club, which is a branch off of the Southern Alberta Cannabis Club. Prior to the ruling it was illegal to extract the plant matter to cook with. “You couldn’t even put a bit of pot into some butter that you got down at the grocery store and extract it, and drain the plant matter off to cook with,” she said, adding that differs from more toxic extractions. “It can be done in very non-toxic ways, like olive oil, grape seed oil, coconut oil and butter,” she said. “Before all you could do was grind it up to make a cake mix.” Poulits said the club is about advocating to patients to get to a doctor if they need one and helping with court support for those who have been busted with marijuana.
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Tamara Cartwright Poulits, a local medical marijuana activist, applauds the recent SCOC ruling. “We help them with the legalities,” she said. “I have been in the predicament myself — I was busted five years ago sendingmarijuana in the mail to another medical patient.” That story made Maclean’s magazine. Poulits has been a patient since 2010
and was able to grow prior to moving to Cranbrook. “And because of the Allard Injunction they didn’t give us the option of changing our addresses, so my production still stays in Coronation and I can’t legally put my plants in the ground here,” she said. “So I’m not growing here at the moment, but as soon as I can change my addresses, my lights will go up and I’ll start growing again.” She said getting a prescription here is not easy if you don’t have a family doctor. She also doesn’t want people to have to pay $500 to see a doctor in Vancouver to be prescribed. “I like to see people actually talk to their doctors,” she said. “I’d like to see doctors be more educated. I’d like to see people, more mainstream, come and speak with us and find out what’s going on with our diseases and our afflictions and how it does affect us and help us.” She said so far Cranbrook residents are more open to the idea of medical marijuana.
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RCMP runners lacing up for Special Olympics TRE VOR CR AWLEY
On June 18, law enforcement runners will take to the streets of Cranbrook with a message of respect and inclusion as they lace up with Special Olympics athletes for the 2015 BC Law Enforcement Torch Run in support of Special Olympics BC. The run will begin at 4 p.m. at Rotary Park and consist of a three-kilometre route that will end at Kinsmen Park to be followed by a barbecue and a softball game. “The upcoming Law Enforcement Torch Run is a great opportunity for local RCMP personnel to support and raise awareness for our Special Olympics athletes,” says Cst. Lisa Schlatter of the Cranbrook RCMP. “The athletes are active citizens and take pride in their accomplishments, not only for themselves, but as rep-
resentatives of the community. We want to aid in their successes so they may continue to be physically and socially active.” Approximately 20 runners from the Cranbrook RCMP detachment and approximately 15 Special Olympics athletes are expected to join in the Cranbrook run, raising funds and awareness for Special Olympics and championing respect and inclusion. The LETR is an inspiring global movement that raises vital funds and awareness for Special Olympics. Since 1990, the BC LETR has been a dedicated supporter of SOBC with LETR members around the province leading a variety of fundraising events throughout the year, raising more than $3 million to date.
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