cannabisnews.com: Medical Marijuana: How To Acquire and Distribute





Medical Marijuana: How To Acquire and Distribute
Posted by CN Staff on March 30, 2004 at 11:04:19 PT
By Philippe Lucas, Special To The Vancouver Sun 
Source: Vancouver Sun 
Having first heard of Health Canada's plan to explore the distribution of cannabis through pharmacies a few months ago, the media frenzy around this pilot project announced last week has been a bit of a surprise to me.Although it is encouraging to finally see pharmacists recognize the safety and effectiveness of medicinal cannabis, is this plan really in the best interest of Canada's 700 or so legal users, and the public at large who would be funding this expensive pilot program?
First let's examine who might benefit from having pot in B.C. pharmacies. According to the latest Health Canada statistics, there are currently 115 federally licensed users in B.C. -- since about 10 per cent of legal users have ordered their cannabis from the government, that would add up to a mere 12 potential participants in this program.Robin O'Brien, the consulting pharmacist organizing this pilot program has stated that according to Health Canada's own statistics, about seven per cent of people in B.C. (about 290,000) currently claim to use cannabis for medical purposes. Unfortunately, the incredible bureaucratic hurdles posed by the Marijuana Medical Access Regulations coupled with a continued reluctance of the Canadian Medical Association to support the use of medicinal cannabis has resulted in just 150 new registrations to the federal program every year.By comparison, the non-profit, Vancouver-based B.C. Compassion Club Society, Canada's oldest and biggest distributor of medicinal cannabis, helps more than 2,700 critically and chronically ill members gain access to a safe and affordable supply of cannabis, all at no cost to the taxpayer.So this expensive, federally funded program won't affect many people, but isn't it a positive step to finally get cannabis in pharmacies?Complete Title: Medical Marijuana: Why -- and How -- Ottawa Must Make It Easier To Acquire and Distribute Snipped: Complete Article: http://www.freedomtoexhale.com/distribute.htmSource: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)Author: Philippe Lucas, Special To The Vancouver Sun Published: Tuesday, March 30, 2004Copyright: 2004 Vancouver Sun Contact: sunletters pacpress.southam.caWebsite: http://www.vancouversun.com/Related Articles & Web Sites:Canadians for Safe Accesshttp://www.safeaccess.ca/Cannabis News Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmSmoke Under Firehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17478.shtmlHealth Canada's Reefer Madnesshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17376.shtmlHealth Canada Medical Marijuana Could Be Betterhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread17348.shtml
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Comment #2 posted by FoM on March 30, 2004 at 12:30:38 PT
Off Topic: The Anti-Fat Pill and the Bushmen
We just found this documentary on World Link TV. A diet cactus! ***Length: 01:00 Type of program: DocumentaryBroadcast Times   Tuesday, March 30 3:00 PM Saturday, April 3 7:00 PM A rare desert cactus, the Hoodia, contains a never before discovered molecule that may hold the answer to one of the world's greatest health problems, obesity and over-eating. Scientists have isolated an appetite suppressant in the flesh of the plant that is powerful enough to stop people eating all day. But who holds the rights to this information? The San Bushmen of the Kalahari desert have known of its powers for decades. This film reveals how, thanks to a rare spirit of co-operation between first world and third, one of the poorest tribes on earth stands a good chance of becoming overnight millionaires, if the drug is approved. Click the link for more air times:http://linktv.org/programming/programDescription.php4?code=bushmen
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on March 30, 2004 at 12:12:51 PT
Press Release Source: Amigula, Inc. 
Amigula Incorporated (AMJL), The World's First Publicly traded Medical Marijuana Company, today announced that the company supports the brave efforts of the Rhode Island General AssemblyTuesday March 30, 2004NEW YORK, March 30, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Amigula, Inc. (Pink Sheets:AMJL): The Rhode Island General Assembly is now considering legislation to permit the medical use of marijuana by seriously ill patients whose physicians have recommended it. 
 
Warren B Eugene, President of Amigula, Inc. stated, ``This is a very real -- sensible bill, it's a humane bill and it deserves special passage. There is overwhelming evidence that marijuana can relieve certain types of pain, nausea, vomiting as well as other symptoms caused by such illnesses as multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS. Often, harsh drugs are sometimes used to treat these illnesses in individuals -- many of these other drugs have terrible side effects. We have found in Canada that marijuana is less toxic than many of the drugs that physicians prescribe every day. Have you heard the disclaimers on well-known drugs, there a mile long? They're on every pharmaceutical commercial these days!``It's true that there are other drugs that may work similar to marijuana, including Marinol, the pill containing THC (the main psychoactive chemical in marijuana),'' stated Warren B Eugene. The truth: These other drugs don't work for everyone, perhaps 12% or less of the people they're prescribed to.The Institute of Medicine noted: ``It is well recognized that Marinol's oral route of administration hampers its effectiveness, because of slow absorption and patients' desire for more control over dosing.''Inhalation gives a more rapid response and better results. For some very sick people, marijuana simply works better.About Amigula Inc.Amigula Inc. -- http://www.Amigula.com -- has recently completed the purchase of 51% of Medical Cannabis Inc. and has announced their plans to file as a reporting issuer. The company plans to list on a major exchange beginning with an application for a listing on the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) or NASDAQ as well as several European exchanges. The company views the current prohibition of marijuana as similar to that of alcohol, beer and tobacco. Canada's marijuana crop alone is estimated at $4 billion to $7 billion. If a single company controlled it, it would be larger than Canada's oil and gas business and agricultural industries. On October 7, 2003 the Ontario Superior Court ruled that business and individuals be allowed to grow and supply medical marijuana, effectively relieving the Canadian government of it's often criticized and fairly unsuccessful attempts. Health Canada ``permitted persons'' (exemptees) can now pay Amigula to grow marijuana for them. The ruling makes it easier for sick people to get marijuana by allowing them easier access -- more choice and fair prices. The company has a mandate to develop and improve the medical marijuana business worldwide and is on the acquisition and consolidation trail of other legal licensed marijuana operations with notable international brands.Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Those statements include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Such statements reflect management's current views, are based on certain assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results, events, or performance may differ materially from the above forward-looking statements due to a number of important factors, and will be dependent upon a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, our ability to obtain additional financing and access funds from our existing financing arrangements that will allow us to continue our current and future operations. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof or to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard to these forward-looking statements or the occurrence of unanticipated events.http://biz.yahoo.com/pz/040330/55017.html
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