Man challenges Ontario pot rules, says they exclude those with disabilities
Posted May 1, 2019 1:12 pm.
A Toronto man who uses a wheelchair has filed a human rights complaint challenging Ontario’s cannabis sales regulations, arguing the province’s system discriminates against those with disabilities and limited financial means.
Ken Harrower, who uses cannabis to relieve symptoms from several medical conditions, says it is a necessity for him and the retail system currently in place is restricting dignified access to cannabis.
He says the city has too few retail stores that are not wheelchair-accessible and alleges he was denied entry to the two stores currently open.
He also alleges the province’s government-run online cannabis store is too slow to deliver the product and too expensive for those on government assistance or without credit.
Harrower is asking the human rights tribunal to order a stay on enforcement of the cannabis regulations until these issues are resolved.
That would allow illegal dispensaries — where Harrower says he was previously able to obtain cannabis — to operate.
The Ontario government did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
With files from News Staff
