cannabisnews.com: First Patients Disappointed in Gov't Marijuana





First Patients Disappointed in Gov't Marijuana
Posted by CN Staff on September 15, 2003 at 14:36:07 PT
By Dean Beeby, The Canadian Press 
Source: Canadian Press 
Ottawa -- Some of the first patients to smoke Health Canada's government-approved marijuana say it's "disgusting" and want their money back. "It's totally unsuitable for human consumption," said Jim Wakeford, 58, an AIDS patient in Gibsons, B.C. "It gave me a slight buzziness for about three to five minutes, and that was it. I got no other effect from it." 
Barrie Dalley, a 52-year-old Toronto man who uses marijuana to combat the nausea associated with AIDS, said the Health Canada dope actually made him sick to his stomach. "I threw up," Dalley said Monday. "It made me nauseous because I had to use so much of it. It was so weak in potency that I really threw up." Both men are returning their 30-gram bags, and Dalley is demanding his money back, $150 plus taxes. Wakeford is returning his unpaid bill with a letter of complaint. A third AIDS patient says he's also unhappy with the product, which is supposed to contain 10.2 per cent THC, the main active ingredient. "I'm still smoking it - I would prefer better, but it's all I've got," said Jari Dvorak, 62, in Toronto. "I think Health Canada certainly should do better with the quality." All three are among a handful of patients who have registered with Health Canada to buy dope directly from the government to alleviate their medical symptoms. The department was compelled to begin direct distribution in July, following an Ontario court order earlier this year that said needy patients should not be forced to get their cannabis on the streets or from authorized growers, who themselves obtain seeds or cuttings illegally. The marijuana is being grown for Health Canada deep underground, in a vacant mine section in Flin Flon, Man., by Prairie Plant Systems on a $5.75-million contract. The department originally intended that the product go first to accredited researchers to demonstrate whether or not cannabis is medically effective. Health Minister Anne McLellan has said she opposes the direct distribution of government cannabis to patients and that the program will end if the department wins its appeal of the Ontario court decision. The government dope also came under fire Monday from Canadians for Safe Access, a patients' rights group that is pressing for supplies of safe, effective marijuana. Laboratory tests indicate the Health Canada product has only about three per cent THC - not the 10.2 per cent advertised - and contains contaminants such as lead and arsenic, said spokesman Philippe Lucas of Vicoria. "This particular product wouldn't hold a candle to street level cannabis," he said in an interview. But Lucas declined to identify the three labs that did the testing, other than to indicate they're in Vancouver, saying he fears the facilities might suffer repercussions from Health Canada because they were not authorized to possess the cannabis. He also would not say how the group obtained the sample of government dope. Lucas, who smokes marijuana to cope with his hepatitis C infection, said the lab results also showed that the cannabis provided at a Victoria compassion club for patients registers at more than 12 per cent and is freer from contaminants. He said the government cannabis was too finely ground up with stems and leaves, calling it "shwag" or "bunk," street terminology for the lowest grade of marijuana. "It's high time for Minister McLellan to acknowledge Health Canada's total failure and ineptitude in its handling of therapuetic cannabis research, distribution and cultivation," Lucas said in a statement. Health Canada spokesmen did not immediately respond to requests for comment Monday. Source: Canadian Press Author: Dean Beeby, The Canadian Press Published: Monday, September 15, 2003Copyright: 2003 The Canadian PressRelated Articles & Web Sites:Canadians for Safe Accesshttp://www.safeaccess.ca/Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmCanada Patients Get Government Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17161.shtmlToronto Man Expresses Relief as He Picks Up Pothttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17160.shtmlMedical Marijuana To Sell for $5 Per Gramhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17010.shtml 
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Comment #12 posted by FoM on September 15, 2003 at 20:51:54 PT
Thanks Richard
I can't wait to hear more on this most interesting issue!
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Comment #11 posted by Richard Lake on September 15, 2003 at 20:47:34 PT:
Some background
Phil Lucas, who among other stuff writes the cannabis section of the DrugSense Weekly, told me that the tests were being done last week. Below is the press release he sent out very early this morning that resulted in the stories. I talked to him just a little while ago and he and the others listed in the release have been doing interviews with the media all day. Health Canada, he says, is, well, pissed, and is trying to find out what lab did the testing.Richard------------------------------------------------------------[below is the press release distributed early Monday morning that resulted in the media attention]* Health Canada Cannabis Exposed! *Health Canada Cannabis Weak, Non-Organic, and Potentially UnsafeMedical Users Deserve Better, Says Canadians for Safe AccessTwo weeks ago Health Canada began supplying cannabis to a handful of licensed medicinal users. As a public health initiative, Canadians for Safe Access (www.safeaccess.ca) - a grassroots, patients' rights organization - has tested a sample of the Health Canada cannabis for safety and potency. In order to get a balanced assessment, CSA also tested a comparative sample of organic therapeutic cannabis cultivated by the Vancouver Island Compassion Society (www.thevics.com). The results of these tests are disconcerting, though not entirely surprising.CSA was appalled by the appearance of the supposedly medical-grade product[i]. In order to meet the arbitrary Health Canada requirement that the cannabis not exceed 10% THC, Prairie Plant Systems - the federally appointed cannabis cultivator - has combined the flowering tops of their plants with the stems and lower leaves. This diluted product is ground up for the purpose of homogeneity, and then sterilized using gamma irradiation. This technique remains so controversial due to safety concerns that it has never been used on foodstuffs in North America[ii]. In addition, cannabinoid testing indicates that the Health Canada product is well under 5% THC (3.0%), while the VICS cannabis tested at over 12% THC (12.7%). Accordingly, patients would have to smoke far less of the VICS cannabis in order to get relief of their symptoms.Furthermore, CSA has concerns about the use of chemical phosphate fertilizers in the cultivation process itself, as these have been linked to the development of carcinogenic compounds in food and tobacco[iii]. Heavy metal testing has revealed that levels of arsenic in the government sample more than double that of the VICS cannabis[iv]; higher levels of lead were also detected. Biological testing has revealed that although both samples appear to be free of dangerous biological contaminants, the irradiated Health Canada product had 10X more colony forming units (CFUs) than the VICS organic cannabis.[v]"Considering that this is a medicine, it's negligent that safer cultivation techniques weren't employed. Our government is spending over $5 million dollars to produce cannabis that couldn't hold a candle to the average street marijuana," says Philippe Lucas, Director of the Canadians for Safe Access and a legal user of medicinal cannabis. "Sadly, this poor-quality product will be used in Health Canada's anemic research program. This is yet another sign of the total disregard being shown for thousands of critically and chronically ill Canadians who need immediate access to a safe supply of therapeutic cannabis."Canadians for Safe Access feels that Health Canada and the Office of Cannabis Medical Access has completely mishandled this important program from day one, a sentiment echoed by the courts and the Canadian Medical Association. Meanwhile, Canada's network of compassion societies continues to help over 5000 Canadians gain access to a safe and diverse supply of therapeutic cannabis at no cost to the taxpayer. Unlike the Health Canada program, distribution through these clubs is safe, affordable, and has a high degree of support from both therapeutic users and the public."It's high time for Minister McLellan to acknowledge Health Canada's total failure and ineptitude in its handling of therapeutic cannabis research, distribution, and cultivation," states Lucas. "Canada's critically and chronically ill deserve much better from Health Canada; we need a safe and affordable supply of medicinal cannabis right now."Canadians for Safe Access Contacts:Western Canada:Philippe Lucas 250-884-9821Rielle Capler 604-875-0214Eric Nash 250-748-8614Central Canada:Dom Cramer 416-896-3240Alison Myrden 905-681-8287Eastern Canada:Debbie Stultz-Giffin 902-665-2355------------------------------------------------------------[i] see exclusive, never-published high-resolution pictures of the Health Canada and VICS cannabis as well as the cannabinoid test results at: http://safeaccess.ca/research/HCvsVICSpics.htm[ii] See: http://www.organicconsumers.org/Irrad/irradfactreferences.rtf for potential dangers of irradiation.[iii] For information on the dangers of chemical phosphate fertilizers compared to organic sources of phosphorous, see: http://www.cannabisculture.com/articles/2673.html[iv] The Health Canada cannabis tested at 2ppm of arsenic vs. less than 1ppm in the VICS cannabis.[v] See test results and charts at: http://safeaccess.ca/research/HCvsVICSpics.htm 
Photos of Health Canada's "shwag"
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on September 15, 2003 at 19:56:41 PT
escapegoat 
I always wondered how it could be safe to grow in a mine. It seems logical that contamination would occur. 
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Comment #9 posted by escapegoat on September 15, 2003 at 19:41:57 PT
HC setting programs up for delibertate failure
> And lead & arsenic? Are they mixing it with tobacco 
>what?No, they're growing it in an abandoned, polluted copper mine. And yes, they have set this program up for failure. "Health" Canada has a very interesting pattern of introducing med mj programs they know will not succeed. Unfortunately for them, the courts are taking a dim view of it. Because of their behaviour, cannabis is now legal in four provinces:Ontario:
http://www.canlii.org/on/cas/onsc/2003/2003onsc10765.html
PEI:
http://cannabislink.ca/legal/stavert.htm
Nova Scotia:
http://www.canlii.org/ns/cas/nspc/2003/2003nspc12.html
BC:
http://www.provincialcourt.bc.ca/judgments/pc/2003/03/p03_0328.htm
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Comment #8 posted by mayan on September 15, 2003 at 18:15:31 PT
"Dope"
"Laboratory tests indicate the Health Canada product has only about three per cent THC - not the 10.2 per cent advertised - and contains contaminants such as lead and arsenic, said spokesman Philippe Lucas of Vicoria."How can they distribute medicine that is not even one-third the potency as advertised? And lead & arsenic? Are they mixing it with tobacco or what? It seems that the fascists don't want to see this program succeed. They are jeopardizing the health of these patients to advance their own political agendas & self interests. McLellan should resign from her post immediately!!!Also, this article refers to cannabis as "dope" 4 times. Cannabis is a plant. Those who prohibit it are the "dopes".The way out is the way in...Moyer's NOW Finally Takes Heroic 9/11-Questioning Widows Nationwide:
http://www.911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=22&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0Gail Sheehy's "Four 9/11 Moms Battle Bush" breaks NY Media Silence on 9/11 Lies:
http://www.911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=21&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0Skepticism about the Official Explanation of 9/11 Spreads:
http://www.heise.de/tp/english/inhalt/co/15634/1.htmlThe Unanswered Questions of 9/11 Widows: 
http://www.villagevoice.com/sutton/WHY DON'T WE HAVE ANSWERS TO THESE 9/11 QUESTIONS?
http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/6742902.htm MAD AS HELL:
http://www.memphisflyer.com/onthefly/onthefly_new.asp?ID=2550
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Comment #7 posted by SoberStoner on September 15, 2003 at 17:41:23 PT
Is anyone really surprised?
Many of us predicted this months ago. The prohibitionists will do anything to stop the progression of truth even if it means a few more people must die. I hope these patients get a chance to testify in governmental hearings about the program and tell them how (and why) it's failed. Hell maybe they wont even need to as I'm sure the canadian supremes are paying attention to this as well since it is a hot topic they will be forced to call a judgement on, especially with vancouver eliminating all possession laws.Somehow I dont see the supremes bringing down a judgement in favor of prohibition since they've already made a stance in favor of compassionate use and logical laws.I do have to wonder..where are all these additives coming from? Did health canada add them during processing or was it just from having a poorly operated facility? Cannabis is not that difficult to grow well, and with minimal additives (with the ones being used purely for growth supplementation)This reeks of sabotage and coming for the less than honorable McLellan I'm not surprised at all. She's done everything she can to sabotage this program, and declared she will end it at the first available opportunity. However, as I said, I dont think she'll get the chance since canada will probably end up having fully legalized cannabis in a few months. SS
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Comment #6 posted by Rainbow on September 15, 2003 at 17:25:14 PT
As I said several months ago
It is a Flim Flam operation from the get go.She wanted this poor grade of cannabis to go to researchers so the experiments would fail. No wonder she did not want the patients to get a hold of it. they would tell all. The researchers might have been hand picked like the Johns Hopkins lab.Praire Systems ought to be strung out and asked why they let this happen.McCellan needs to be re-called to the junk pile.And the patients should not revolt to loudly or she will say see I told you it is not a good program. She creates what she wants a piss poor product so everything fails.Maybe she sleeps at night using prescription artificial drugs.Look for the money connection and the USA connection.Tom
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on September 15, 2003 at 16:46:23 PT
Why Don't They Understand
When we buy fresh produce in the summer we buy it from a local farmer. His tomatoes, corn and other vegetable are always good. He is proud of his produce and it is obvious to many people. Cannabis is a fruit of the earth too. It is only logical to believe that people that love growing will produce the best and patients need that choice. I know we are far from thinking that way in the U.S. but Canada should soon understand this principle very soon I hope.
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Comment #4 posted by lilgrasshoppah77 on September 15, 2003 at 16:38:06 PT:
words cannot express the contempt I feel
for Ann Mclellan and her cronies. What they have done borders on medical and judicial malpractice.Could a lawyer misrepresent himself to this extent, and not expect disbarrment?
Could a doctor give patients mislabeled,expired or reduced strength drugs and not expect to lose his license.Oh well, it will work out in the end. The senate still wants full legalization. Woo hoo!
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Comment #3 posted by E_Johnson on September 15, 2003 at 15:28:13 PT
If there's no option but schwag
invest in a Volcano! 
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Comment #2 posted by sam adams on September 15, 2003 at 14:50:57 PT
It's time...
for the Supreme Court to take the Canadian politicians out to the woodshed for a whuppin'. Luckily the Canadian Judiciary remains a somewhat functional, rational institution. Obviously the elected government are Orwellian idiots, functioning in the political-class land of make-believe. Here in the U.S., the judiciary was targeted by the right-wing rich elite and was cut off at the knees during the 80's.With the court cases currently pending up there, it's hard to imagine a scenario where Canada will have any marijuana laws left at all in about 12 months. As for us, I just wonder how far down the ladder of economic ruin we'll go before the drug laws are repealed. People are so brainwashed, I'd have to guess the answer is "all the way". The last person to collect paycheck in this country will be a cop busting a pothead. No one will have any health care, all the schools will be closed, roads, bridges, trains, and airports will be lying in ruin, but the prosecutors will still be arguing for harsher sentences for marijuana.
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on September 15, 2003 at 14:40:36 PT
What Will Happen Now?
What will people do?
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