cannabisnews.com: Toking Up In The Capital Toking Up In The Capital Posted by FoM on March 07, 2000 at 16:54:54 PT By Richard Cleroux -- CNEWS Politics Source: Canoe Health Canada brought to Ottawa last week about two dozen people who had been chosen to take part in an experimental program on the medicinal use of marijuana. The participants were chosen because they have very serious illnesses and there is scientific evidence that their pain and suffering might be alleviated, though certainly not cured, by smoking some marijuana. The government brought them to the Travelodge Hotel, rented a big meeting room and explained the program to them, and then passed out joints. The patients did what they normally would do. They lit up. Soon a good part of the hotel smelled like the family-style hotel, which often caters to Reform Party MPs, had seldom smelled before. And then government officials explained they could buy marijuana from the federal government at $12 a joint as part of the program. The participants were furious. They could buy the same joint they said, for $3 from pushers on the street. And why should they have to buy marijuana in the first place? Well, because the government didn't want any headlines in the newspapers: "Govt Encourages Pot Use; Gives It Out Free." So why not make it cheaper than the price on the street? Well the government didn't want to see any headlines: "Govt Encourages Pot Use; Undercuts Pushers." By charging more for its marijuana than do pushers on the street, the government thought it could avoid criticism. Guess again. The headlines in the oh-so-sophisticated Conrad Black newspapers should read: "Govt Helping Pushers by Overcharging for Pot." Some days you just can't win. Published: Tuesday, March 7, 2000Copyright © 2000, Canoe Limited Partnership. Related Articles:Canada Sets Rule For Nation's Official Dope Dealerhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread3996.shtmlOttawa To Distribute Nearly 1M Marijuana Cigarettes http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3994.shtmlGrass Is Greener At Health Ministryhttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3482.shtmlOttawa Takes Cross-Border Shopping Trip for Pothttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3244.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #4 posted by J.R. Bob Dobbs on March 09, 2000 at 11:32:12 PT Grow your own! If they're able to buy it from the government, would the government allow these twelve people to plant a few seeds in their own house? Growing page from the Netherlands [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by Ms Smith on March 08, 2000 at 00:01:56 PT Medical Marijuana I'm not religious, but I pray that Canada legalizes marijuana to help millions of sick people who suffer from symptoms pot can alleviate. Maybe the U.S. will follow suit. It's mind boggling to know how many millions of people around the world aren't getting the help that is available, yet illegal. WHY LET THESE PEOPLE SUFFER?IT'S CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT! [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Symmetric on March 07, 2000 at 22:13:00 PT: they probably don't have to pay it I imagine the cost for this will be covered under the canada health act. If it has been approved to treat whatever disease they have our socialist health care system is most likely obligated to pay for it. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by kaptinemo on March 07, 2000 at 17:41:21 PT: How dumb can a government get? Evidently, on the average, about twice as dumb as you think is humanly possible. Leave it to a government to foul things up.Last week, when I read the first articles regarding this meeting, I immediately felt no small degree of elation; the Canadians were showing some sense in the matter, and might shame our Feds into doing the same. But that elation was short-lived; having worked for the government in my own country, I was only too well aware of the almost innate ability of governments to screw things up. Now I see my apprehension was warranted. They are committing the same kind of mistakes any bureaucracy makes. And by doing so, once again, they are playing into the dealer's hands. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: