cannabisnews.com: Canada Sets Rule For Nation's Official Dope Dealer Canada Sets Rule For Nation's Official Dope Dealer Posted by FoM on December 14, 1999 at 08:18:31 PT Source: Ottawa Citizen Health Canada plans to distribute nearly one million marijuana cigarettes over a five-year period to ailing Canadians and researchers studying the medicinal value of the drug, according to a confidential government document. The 28-page "Statement of Work for the Development of a Comprehensive Operation for the Cultivation and Fabrication of Marijuana in Canada" sets out the business framework for a Canadian supplier to the federal government for medical marijuana -- in other words, an official dope dealer. According to the document, the official dealer would have to explain the techniques he or she uses in rolling and moistening the joint. "The purpose of this project is to provide for Health Canada a reliable source of affordable, quality, standardized marijuana products to meet the needs of exemption recipients and of researchers in this country and abroad," states the introductory overview of the draft document, written Nov. 30. Health Canada would supply the seeds to begin growing, and a "QPIC" -- Qualified Person In Charge of Narcotic, Controlled and/or Restricted Drug Transactions -- would have to be hired. This person would have to be a university graduate in an area such as pharmacology and "be of good character." Health Canada, according to the document, "will contribute up to $1.5 million per year for investment in clinical, basic and applied research on marijuana and cannabinoids over a five-year period." Neither Health Minister Allan Rock nor his department will comment on this document because it has not been finalized. However, Health Canada's Lynn LeSage said "the department is looking at options to provide a safe supply" of marijuana. Mr. Rock has also stated he is committed to finding a Canadian supplier for the drug; an announcement is expected "soon." So far, he has allowed 16 Canadians suffering from serious illnesses such as AIDS and cancer to legally smoke marijuana to help alleviate some of the painful and debilitating symptoms and side-effects that result from treatments for the diseases, such as nausea from chemotherapy. Mr. Rock has never said whether the growing of medical marijuana would be done by a government agency or private supplier, but it appears from this document that the government is leaning toward a private source. Under the title "Product Volumes," the draft plan stipulates that 100,000 marijuana cigarettes with THC (the ingredient that makes the user high) content of between four and six per cent would be required for distribution in the first year of the Medical Marijuana Research Project. In years two to five, the plan requires that amount be upped to 200,000 cigarettes. Indeed, the draft plan even calls for 325 kilograms of "bulk processed marijuana" with THC contents varying between zero and six per cent to be in storage for other testing. Only corporations or individuals can become "licensed dealers" under this business plan and there are a number of criteria those who are bidding to become the government's official drug dealer must meet. For instance, the use of any pesticides or herbicides must be explained in terms of safety of the product and for yields. Risks such as crop failure "due to either natural disasters, power failures and other potential catastrophes and how such risks might be mitigated" must be assessed by the bidder. Under fabrication requirements, the bidder must "describe the methods they will employ in moistening, rolling and packaging the marijuana cigarettes, including the facilities and equipment and/or hand-rolling techniques to be employed." Stringent security measures are to be considered, as well, such as ensuring the security of the facility where the marijuana is grown and inventory control. No price for the cost of the joints or the bulk marijuana is set out in this document. Health Canada is breaking new ground in its approach to marijuana. In fact, the document says "marijuana is not approved as a therapeutic product in any country." As well, there have been few clinical trials as to its use for medicinal purposes; all information, so far, is anecdotal. Published: December 14, 1999Copyright 1999 Ottawa Citizen Related Articles:Ottawa To Distribute Nearly 1M MMJ Cigarettes - 12/14/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3994.shtmlPot Activists Send Sample to Health Minister - 10/13/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3260.shtmlOttawa Takes Cross-Border Shopping Trip for Pot - 10/11/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3244.shtml END SNIP --> Snipped Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by hombre on December 18, 2000 at 21:27:33 PT Buy Paper Books from Canada Eh! http://www.dopefiends.com [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by theMan on December 18, 2000 at 21:23:34 PT Free Marijuana Cigarettes in Canada. Oh yeah! http://www.dopedealer.com [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: