cannabisnews.com: Judge Reserves Decision on Marijuana Request 





Judge Reserves Decision on Marijuana Request 
Posted by CN Staff on May 14, 2002 at 17:16:48 PT
By Dave Rogers, The Ottawa Citizen 
Source: Ottawa Citizen 
The Federal Court of Canada yesterday reserved its decision in the case of a Hawkesbury hepatitis C patient who asked for permission to grow more medicinal marijuana plants to control his pain and muscle spasms.Marc Paquette argued that Health Canada's medicinal marijuana regulations prevented him from getting the drugs he needs. The government allowed Mr. Paquette to grow 25 plants at home until his permit expired in March, but he argued he needs better quality marijuana, hashish or hash oil to relieve his pain.
"I couldn't produce more than 100 grams of dried marijuana in three months," Mr. Paquette said afterwards. "That represents 10 days of medication."I had to rely on organized crime to supply me with $1,200 a month of marijuana on a disability pension of $1,500 a month. That is not quality of life."Mr. Paquette said he receives relief from muscle pain and spasms within 30 seconds when he smokes good quality marijuana."I have a lot of back pain from herniated lumbar discs," he said."I find that marijuana removes 98 per cent of the pain. I can't absorb more pills now because of liver problems."Mr. Paquette argued that the constitutional right to life means that seriously ill and dying people have a right to medicinal marijuana. Despite this, he said, patients must reapply for medicinal marijuana permits every six months."It is a bureaucratic nightmare," Mr. Paquette said. "The conditions imposed are unconscionable and some have resulted in the premature deaths of dying patients."Many people have perished without the relief they sought. The regulations are an impediment to sick and dying Canadians seeking access to this herb."Alain Préfontaine, the lawyer representing the attorney general of Canada, argued that the federal health minister can exercise discretion about who will receive medicinal marijuana permits.Mr. Préfontaine said evidence at the Gatineau trial of medicinal marijuana activist Raymond Turmel showed that Mr. Paquette had given a joint to Mr. Turmel's wife, Denise Beaudoin.Mr. Turmel's brother, John Turmel, a medicinal marijuana advocate and professional gambler, said after the hearing that many chronically ill and dying patients can't get the drugs they need under new marijuana legislation enacted on July 31, 2001."The president of the Ontario Medical Association says doctors should not sign the applications unless they have studied the risks and benefits of marijuana," Mr. Turmel said. "It is very difficult to get three doctors to sign an application now."Justice Michel Beaudry reserved his decision on the conditions of Mr. Paquette's medicinal marijuana permit without saying when he will render a judgment.Note: Hepatitis patient seeking permission to control pain.Complete Title: Judge Reserves Decision on Request To Grow Marijuana Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)Author: Dave Rogers, The Ottawa Citizen Published: Tuesday, May 14, 2002Copyright: 2002 The Ottawa CitizenContact: letters thecitizen.southam.caWebsite: http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/Related Articles & Web Site:Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmMarijuana Exemptees Wait Seven Hours http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11719.shtmlJoint Submission http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11709.shtml
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