cannabisnews.com: Cannabis Closer To Legalization 





Cannabis Closer To Legalization 
Posted by CN Staff on July 19, 2003 at 08:57:15 PT
By Katie Robinson
Source: Grand Forks Gazette 
In the eyes of the federal government's health minister, Anne McLellan, Parliament Hill reeked of reefer madness on Wednesday, July 9. Health Canada and the federal government have been forced into growing and selling marijuana for medicinal purposes after a Supreme Court order was issued. However, many pot smokers are not as excited about this new turn of events as some may expect. "This is a mistake," said Brian Taylor, editor of Cannabis Health magazine and recent cancer survivor. 
Taylor said that, even with this revelation, it would still be hard for patients to access the government grown marijuana. In order for patients to be eligible they must have a doctor fill out and sign a special access request form (SAR). However, the Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Medical Protective Association have advised all doctors not to sign the SAR forms as they could suffer liability and legal consequences.If patients do happen to find a doctor willing to sign the SAR forms, they then have to sign a legal document stating they will only use government provided marijuana which doesn't meet a lot of higher standards and expectations regular users are used to."What they're offering is shwagg," Taylor explained of the governments lower, ten per cent THC level marijuana.With this lower quality level, users are forced to smoke a lot more seeing as how they are used to a 15 to 18 per cent THC level sold on the streets. "Most patients want higher quality with less quantity of smoking," explained Taylor of the increased amount of use these lower THC levels will be causing.Another roadblock for the government is that the only way this program came about was because the courts forced them into it and there is always room for appeals."This is damage control," said Taylor, "the program can be cancelled at any minute with Anne McLellan challenging the courts decision."However, even with the government opposition, Taylor believes legalization is forthcoming.Many pot smokers are loyal to their drug and stand by the benefits marijuana has to offer. Some benefits include relief from stress and pain, elimination of nausea, and encouragement for appetite enhancement."If you're in constant pain, you don't function," said Barb St. Jean, Cannabis Health magazine volunteer. She further explained that many sick patients are unable to tolerate conventional pharmaceuticals thus causing them to turn to marijuana."Long term use (of pharmaceuticals) can be pretty detrimental to your body,"explained St. Jean, "The only other alternative is to turn to the natural form of marijuana."Both Taylor and St. Jean believe that before this program can survive the public's perception of marijuana needs to change."We're not long-haired hippies, we don't smoke in the park, it's not a blow in your face drug as perceived in the media," ranted St. Jean.Shortly after these comments were made, a group of them gathered around a small television set in the production office of the magazine to watch the Noon News Hour on July 9. Sure enough, when their segment was aired, the first thing shown was a long-haired, Hepatitis B patient blowing pot smoke into the camera's lens."Oh no, they're showing smoke in the face, we're not going to be taken seriously," Taylor sadly commented as he shook his head at the TV screen.The government's plan includes selling a package of seeds,for $20, which will produce ten plants. Or, if the patient is too weak to grow his or her own, they will be able to purchase a gram of dried marijuana for five dollars. Source: Grand Forks Gazette (CN BC)Author: Katie RobinsonPublished: July 16, 2003Copyright: 2003 Sterling NewspapersContact gfgazedt sunshinecable.comWebsite: http://www.sterlingnews.com/ForksRelated Articles & Web Site: Cannabis Health Magazinehttp://www.cannabishealth.com/Canada To Sell Marijuana for Medical Usehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16798.shtmlOttawa Unveils Interim Medical Marijuana Deal http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16797.shtmlOttawa OKs Medical Pot Distribution Plan http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16796.shtml 
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