cannabisnews.com: Pot Users Smoked Out 





Pot Users Smoked Out 
Posted by FoM on February 08, 2000 at 06:26:41 PT
By Kathleen Harris, Ottawa Sun
Source: Ottawa Sun
 A confidential list of names of sick and dying Canadians who've inquired about using marijuana as medicine has been leaked from the federal health department, the Sun has learned. Health Canada has launched an internal investigation to determine how the breach of confidentiality occurred in its controlled substances section, which normally operates under tight security. 
The department has also reported the matter to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner, which has assigned an officer to the case. "Obviously, the government is very concerned about material getting into the wrong hands," said Dann Michols, director-general of Health Canada's therapeutic products program. "What makes this more concerning is that this is private information -- this is not even government information. It means that individuals' lives are potentially affected by this." Health Canada spent the weekend contacting more than 128 people -- including victims of AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis and chronic pain -- who have inquired about, applied for, or been granted an exemption from the Criminal Code to use the controlled narcotic. Informing those affected has been the first priority, but now the focus will shift to finding out how the names were "improperly obtained" by a journalist. Michols said he would be "doubly appalled" if the investigation finds the information, which is covered by the Privacy Act, was deliberately released by a branch employee. "It's not conscionable in the first place, but this would bring it to a new level of concern," he said. The list of names does not contain details such as telephone numbers or medical information. A lawyer has contacted the journalist's news organization and Michols is confident the names will not be published. 'IN A PANIC' But Ron Whalen, who runs the Compassionate Use of Medicinal Marijuana Club in Ottawa, says people are still "frightened and in a panic" that their names are "out there." Whalen usually encourages his members to seek the federal exemption to use cannabis, but he is now rethinking that advice. "A confidentiality has been broken -- it's a tragedy. I just keep shaking my head in wonderment, thinking how this could have happened," he said. "This is another boondoggle to add to the list." Rob Brown, a victim of hepatitis C who lives near Cobden, is outraged, but not shocked by the revelation. A long-standing critic of Health Canada's handling of the medical marijuana issue, Brown staged a one-man protest on the Hill last month. He highlighted a slow application and approval process, and became the 20th Canadian to receive an exemption. He was among those contacted by Health Canada this weekend. "They're absolutely inept," he said. "Health Canada is not even competent enough to keep up with their own promise of privacy." Brown has chosen to make his own health situation public, but says others are understandably worried about public embarrassment and being robbed at home. "This is a government office we've entrusted," he said. "I know from people who I've spoken with that they are very concerned about maintaining their privacy. They could be further isolated from their community, and they're afraid that they're going to be open for all kinds of harassment." 'SENSITIVITY' The Office of the Privacy Commissioner is reviewing the breach and has not yet determined if a separate inquiry will be conducted. Gerry Neary, director of investigations and inquiries, said the situation causes concern, but praised Health Canada for promptly reporting the breach late Thursday and notifying the people who may be affected. "You can appreciate the sensitivity that might apply to them, with respect to one, that they probably have some kind of illness, and two, that they may be in possession of marijuana for medicinal uses," he said. Tuesday, February 8, 2000 Copyright © 2000, Canoe Limited Partnership. CannabisNews Search Of Canadian Articles:http://www.alltheweb.com/cgi-bin/asearch?type=all&query=cannabisnews+Canada
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Comment #1 posted by kaptinemo on February 08, 2000 at 10:32:33 PT
Leaked, but to WHOM?
The obvious question is never answered. But I could hazard a guess as to which groups would be interested in that information. At the top of the list: law enforcemnent officers, for one. And not just Canadian ones, either. Remember the Cannabis Culture raid in Vancouver, in which US Naval Intelligence officers were lighting up and 'simulating' (despite the proprietor's request to do otherwise)?This does not bode well. The implications are quite ominous indeed.
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