cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana Plan Still on Track Medical Marijuana Plan Still on Track Posted by CN Staff on August 29, 2002 at 10:51:46 PT Letter to the Editor by Anne McLellan Source: National Post The government of Canada has not backed away from its medical marijuana program, as earlier reports suggested. If we were doing so, I can assure you that we would not be spending the time, energy and money that we are on moving ahead with the program, and with significant stakeholder involvement. This includes the establishment of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee on Marijuana for Medical Purposes, expected to meet for the first time in October, 2002. I know that many Canadians suffering from terminal or grave illnesses strongly and genuinely believe, with the support of their physicians, that smoking marijuana helps them live more comfortably and in less pain. In my role as Health Minister, I must balance those beliefs with the need to carry out research into the safety and effectiveness of marijuana as a medicine.That is why our policy has two components. The first is the Marihuana Medical Access Regulations (MMAR) which allows people with authorizations to possess and cultivate marijuana for medical purposes. At present over 800 people in Canada are permitted by Health Canada to possess marijuana for medical purposes. The MMAR remains in effect and people continue to apply.The second component of our approach is research. These are two parallel tracks.Unlike heroin and morphine products, marijuana is not approved as a medicine in any country in the world. Marijuana cannot be approved in Canada without scientific evidence proving its benefits and defining its risks. At present, while there are anecdotal reports of the value of smoked marijuana, the scientific studies about its safety and effectiveness are inconclusive.Conducting research will allow us to better understand whether and for which medical conditions marijuana is an effective medicine, and better understand the risks in relation to those benefits.Health Canada continues to pursue the research plan initiated in 1999. This will include broad-based clinical trials (which will accommodate large numbers of participants) and controlled clinical trials (involving smaller groups of patients). These clinical trials will use research grade marijuana, including that produced for Health Canada by Prairie Plant Systems.It is our hope that these clinical trials will include many of the people permitted by Health Canada to possess marijuana for medical purposes.People who do not participate in this research can continue to apply for a license to cultivate marijuana or for a designate to cultivate it for them, under the existing regulations.Let me reassure all Canadians that the federal government remains committed to our medical marijuana program. This program takes a compassionate approach to Canadians who suffer from serious medical conditions while, at the same time, pursuing a sound research agenda.A. Anne McLellan, Minister of Health, Ottawa.Re: Medical Marijuana Plan Still on Track, Health Minister Says, Aug. 27.Newshawk: puff_tuffSource: National Post (Canada)Published: Thursday, August 29, 2002Copyright: 2002 Southam Inc.Contact: letters nationalpost.comWebsite: http://www.nationalpost.com/Related Articles:Where There's Smokehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13920.shtmlFeds Will Supply Medicinal Pot: McLellan http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13895.shtmlHealth Minister is On a Bad Triphttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread13882.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by p4me on August 29, 2002 at 15:17:18 PT You could get signed waivers Look at what they do with untested medicine with who knows what side effects when they want to introduce it. All it takes is a little waiver. But then if you had legal users people might ask why you are not advancing science by doing actual studies instead of killing people and saying in the future we will do studies. We will talk about what we might do in a couple of months.1,2 [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on August 29, 2002 at 14:12:29 PT Whither $5 million? Perhaps the Canadians can get a tax refund back of the 5 mil Anne wasted on the now-rotting cannabis grown in the mine? Government is the only place you can piss away $5million and get promoted, as Anne did. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by canaman on August 29, 2002 at 14:01:03 PT I have trouble believing you Anne...... I know that many Canadians suffering from terminal or grave illnesses strongly and genuinely believe, with the support of their physicians, that smoking marijuana helps them live more comfortably and in less pain. In my role as Health Minister, I must balance those beliefs with the need to carry out research into the safety and effectiveness of marijuana as a medicine.Anne do you believe in the hippocratic oath? Then why do you harm people by dragging your feet? Are you a doctor first, politician second. Or the other way around? What really is more important to you, sick people or your position in government? I believe you don't care. I'd love to see you make me a liar. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by JR Bob Dobbs on August 29, 2002 at 12:00:09 PT Raids? What raids? Isn't it amazing how she can overlook the fact that the federal government is raiding cannabis clubs during her "research" period... [ Post Comment ] Post Comment