cannabisnews.com: Hospitals Rolling On Pot Policies Hospitals Rolling On Pot Policies Posted by FoM on January 06, 2002 at 08:33:38 PT By Paul Cowan and Michael Wood -- Sun Media Source: Edmonton Sun Health chiefs in Edmonton and Calgary are drafting policies to allow patients to smoke marijuana in hospitals. As the Canadian government readies its first batch of medicinal marijuana for transport, officials at the Capital and Calgary health regions are devising a strategy to deal with patients who want to toke while on hospital property. "It would be appropriate to recognize ... that we have to look at all options for the use of marijuana in our hospitals," said Calgary health spokesman Brenda Barootes. In its infant stage and subject to approval by a medical advisory board, the pot project could see patients legally allowed to toke "in-house" as officials also work to hammer out plans to ensure "a continuity of supply for the patients," Barootes said. When asked if that could include hospitals bringing in marijuana for patient use, Barootes replied: "Theoretically, yes. "That will be one of the things we look at." Capital Health spokesman Kelly Eby said it's hoped there will be policy proposals on the table in the next few months. "We don't have a formal policy at the moment, but we're working on one," she said. "It's in development and we hope to have it ready within the next few months." A key issue facing hospital chiefs will be setting aside space for medical marijuana users away from other, less herbally inclined patients and staff, as well as ensuring correct administration of the drug to card-carrying users. "As with any other drug being used, we have to ensure that it's being used appropriately; that the patient is legally authorized to do so; and we would need to be sure we're providing a safe and private place for use - safe from impact to other patients and staff," said Barootes, adding there have been no such requests by patients so far. The announcement comes on the heels of last month's advisory that people on a list for use of medical marijuana could begin smoking government-approved joints within weeks from the first batch of federally approved medicinal pot. The crop, which could supply as many as 680 people, was harvested at an abandoned mine in Flin Flon, Man. Under one proposal in Calgary, pot users would smoke in a secured and ventilated room, as was the case at San Francisco general hospital. That facility was the site of recent marijuana trials studying the effects of weed on AIDS patients and its interaction with other medicines. Dr. Donald Abrams, who spearheaded the San Francisco project, called the Alberta moves "compassionate and progressive. It makes sense. "Hopefully, (the U.S. government) is watching carefully to see how this works." Newshawk: puff_tuffSource: Edmonton Sun (CN AB) Author: Paul Cowan and Michael Wood -- Sun MediaPublished: January 6, 2002Copyright: 2002 Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: sun.letters ccinet.ab.ca Website: http://www.fyiedmonton.com/edmsun.shtmlRelated Articles & Web Site:FTE's Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmFor the Ill, The Pot's in The Posthttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11635.shtmlMedicinal-Pot Users Fuming Over Delayshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11623.shtmlLegal Pot Available on Jan. 1 http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11622.shtmlAfter Two-Decade Halt, Marijuana Research Is Sethttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11578.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by E_Johnson on January 06, 2002 at 23:26:38 PT I represent TCFPFPJ, consider yourself warned! I represent TCFPFPJ -- The Commission For Pun-Free Pot Journalism, and I hereby give the headline writer of this article a Class C warning for indulging in a borderline cliche, not containing overt hate against marijuana users. [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Jose Melendez on January 06, 2002 at 09:33:46 PT: Take GlaxoSmithKline. from: http://my.marijuana.com/article.php?sid=2633&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0...Virtually all work with natural compounds has been "de-emphasised", the company says.But in the US, GSK also is heavily marketing Remifemin, a herbal remedy that reduces menopausal symptoms. Its active ingredient is extracted from the root of black cohosh, a native North American plant also known as snake root, bugbane, or rattleweed used by Native Americans to treat gynaecological symptoms. Europeans have used black cohosh since the 19th century. Finding an answer to the west's big problem [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by dddd on January 06, 2002 at 09:22:56 PT ...yea...sure... ....I can see it now,,,,,,you're lying there in room 320 of Edmonton General Hospital,,,and the nurse struts in with a nice fat reefer,,,"Time for your medication Mr. Greenstone...make sure to hold your tokes".....then,,after you are released from the hospital,,you will have a prescription for IndicaloftZX,from Pfizer.....the bottle of doobies label says;"Smoke one or two joints daily,as needed for pain,preferably AFTER a meal";........and the disclaimer at in the fine print .."Warning,,may cause increased appetite.Do not use if suffering from obesity.Do not operate heavy machinery or chain saws.Do not hog or bogart joint to yourself"....dddd [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by lookinside on January 06, 2002 at 09:03:39 PT: sanity... it's wonderful... [ Post Comment ] Post Comment