cannabisnews.com: Toronto MD Quits Medical Marijuana Committee





Toronto MD Quits Medical Marijuana Committee
Posted by CN Staff on July 16, 2003 at 07:29:36 PT
By Valerie Lawton, Ottawa Bureau
Source: Toronto Star 
Ottawa — A Toronto doctor living with AIDS has quit a federal advisory group on medical marijuana in frustration, saying it's now clear to him Health Minister Anne McLellan doesn't want to provide pot to those who need it."We have a minister that is not compassionate," Dr. Gregory Robinson said yesterday. "I definitely feel that this portfolio she wishes would just — poof — go away."
Robinson said he decided there was no point taking part in an advisory group whose advice was being ignored after McLellan announced plans to deliver marijuana to patients through doctors' offices, despite staunch opposition from the Canadian Medical Association (CMA)."Doctors aren't going to distribute from their offices," he said. "I went to my doctor last week. He won't do it."Robinson, who now smokes one or two joints a day before eating, first tried pot a few years ago after losing 30 pounds in one month because of problems related to HIV. He said it's the only thing that gives him a desire to eat.In his letter announcing his resignation from the Stakeholder Advisory Committee on Medical Marijuana, Robinson told McLellan he has lost faith in her "ability to understand compassion for seriously and chronically ill patients.""As an AIDS patient, each moment is valued so much at this time in my life. My continuing commitment to the advisory committee would only be a waste of my time and advice," he wrote.Robinson is also angry that federal officials last month cancelled funding for clinical trials by the Community Research Initiatives of Toronto — forcing the organization to close its doors."A stated government goal that is constantly coming out of the minister's mouth and Health Canada is: We would like clinical research on medical marijuana to show us the efficacy of the drug. Right now we have no scientific information."Now, when you shut a clinical trial down, is that not inconsistent?" said Robinson, who has stopped working because of his illness.In an interview yesterday, McLellan refused to say why her department suspended funding for the clinical trials in Toronto, which were to look at whether pot could alleviate nausea and weight loss in AIDS patients. "The program is being audited. It will not be renewed," she said, adding that other clinical trials could begin this fall.Derek Thaczuk, who was chair of the Toronto research group's scientific committee, said Health Canada suspended funding after a disagreement over how long the trials should take. His group said it needed 18 months to enrol patients and get them through the study, while federal officials wanted it done in 12 months."If their concern was the amount of time, this certainly isn't going to make it move any faster," said Thaczuk. "I cannot help but wonder about political pressure, possibly from the United States. ... The evidence is piling up until I'm drowning in it that there is just not the will to do this."It's clear McLellan is far less enthusiastic about the medical marijuana program than former health minister Allan Rock, who was responsible for setting it up. She stressed that studies are needed to establish proof of the benefits of smoking marijuana and look at possible adverse effects — but declined to criticize her cabinet colleague for going ahead without that."I am not going to question that. I'm not going to second guess that. My obligation as the minister of health is to now ensure that the clinical trials are now carried out."If that research finds no proof of medicinal benefits, the whole program will be cancelled, McLellan said from New York, where she'd signed a global treaty on tobacco control. The minister reluctantly announced plans last week for the federal government to supply marijuana to chronically ill patients, using physicians as intermediaries to provide the drug to their patients.The CMA has long argued that there should be more scientific proof of marijuana's benefits and possible side effects before it is used in treatment. The group has condemned the drug distribution policy, saying doctors may face violence or break-ins by people looking for pot.The government has said the plan is only an "interim policy" while it appeals a court ruling forcing it to provide the drug. A judge had ruled it was unconstitutional to have a federal program allowing sick people to smoke marijuana, but then force them to turn to illegal street sources for the drug.McLellan scoffed at the doctors' concerns about break-ins. "Honestly, do you think anyone is going to break into a doctor's office ... when, whether one likes it or not, you can probably find it on the street?" she said.Note: Claims group's advice is ignored Minister `is not compassionate'.Complete Title: Frustrated Toronto MD Quits Medical Marijuana Committee.Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)Author: Valerie Lawton, Ottawa BureauPublished: July 16, 2003Copyright: 2003 The Toronto Star Contact: lettertoed thestar.com Website: http://www.thestar.com/ Related Articles & Web Site:Health Canadahttp://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/MD Resigns From Health Canada Over Pot http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16870.shtmlCanada's Cannabis HIV/AIDS Study Suspendedhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16643.shtmlCanada's First Marijuana Study To Beginhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread14393.shtml 
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Comment #1 posted by escapegoat on July 16, 2003 at 09:26:17 PT:
Is there an IQ test for Health Minister?
Apparently this woman used to be an acting dean of a law school. That really surprises me.
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