cannabisnews.com: Ottawa To Examine Gains Of Getting High! Ottawa To Examine Gains Of Getting High! Posted by FoM on August 21, 1999 at 08:05:55 PT Health Canada commits $7.5 million to pot research Source: Toronto Star Health Canada will spend $7.5 million over the next five years to assess the medicinal value of marijuana. The Medical Marijuana Research Project has been set up through a partnership between the Medical Research Council of Canada and the therapeutic products program of Health Canada. In clinical trials, the project will evaluate whether or not marijuana, currently an illegal drug, is safe and effective for a wide range of disabilities and illnesses. Research will also compare smoked marijuana with the best standard therapy for various health conditions. If funds permit, the research will also look into new ways of administering marijuana. There is the suggestion an inhaler, similar to those used by asthmatics, is a more effective way of delivering the drug. Health Canada spokesperson Reva Berman said one of the major hurdles to be overcome in upcoming clinical trials is the fact there is no legal domestic source of research-grade marijuana. She said Health Canada is currently inviting tenders for a business plan for a domestic marijuana growing program. ``In looking at the problem of where will the supply of research-grade cannibas come from, we are asking what would be involved in establishing a domestic program in Canada, which would be cannibas grown under controlled conditions to satisfy specific requirements.'' At the moment, there are only two sources: A company in Great Britain and the American government, which provides research-grade marijuana with stringent requirements. Anecdotal evidence from sick Canadians has suggested for some time that marijuana has medicinal value. Cancer and AIDS patients claim it relieves nausea and vomiting and helps in gaining weight by stimulating the appetite. Multiple sclerosis patients say it relieves muscle pain and spasms. There have also been claims that it reduces the frequency of epileptic seizures and assists in the management of glaucoma. Berman said there has never been scientific evidence to confirm the therapeutic value of marijuana. Health Canada is providing $1.5 million a year for the research. MRC will review research proposals for scientific merit. Oct. 1 is the deadline for submissions with the first funding becoming available in February. A growing number of Canadians with health problems have been asking for the legal right to use marijuana ever since James Wakeford, a Toronto man with AIDS, won an exemption from the current law two months ago to use and grow marijuana. Berman said by mid-July the government had received about 50 similar requests. Deanna Groetzinger, vice-president of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, said about 20 MS patients across the country indicated their interest in marijuana after the society did a mailing on the topic last spring. The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada has had a couple of requests from patients in the last year.By Suzanne Morrison Torstar News ServicePubdate: August 21, 1999Canuck Growers Just Cannot Guarantee Pot Quality-8/15/99 http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread2498.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by STEVE on February 05, 2001 at 10:56:14 PT: WOW WOW.good on ya!itshud be legal.GOOD LUCK GUYS [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by lee murray on February 05, 2001 at 10:54:17 PT: cool COOL I HOPE POT BECOMES LEGAL ASWELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by nicole on January 18, 2001 at 16:43:41 PT: mary jane see, i dont think its such a big deal, i mean if they wanna do it its there choice...if they make it leagal, it wont hurt anything, there are no proven facts that it causes brain damage!!! it actually can help you! i dont smoke, but it should be the peoples choice! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Brittany Berg on April 04, 2000 at 14:29:02 PT: herb best of luck to ya! I hope some day pot becomes legal. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: