Pubdate: Mon, 16 Apr 2001
Source: Maclean's Magazine (Canada)
Section: Overture, The Week That Was, Pg 19
Copyright: 2001 Maclean Hunter Publishing Ltd
Contact:  http://www.macleans.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/253
Author: Shanda Deziel, editor of article

NEW RULES FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA USE

Ottawa unveiled regulations that will allow Canadians to use marijuana for 
medical purposes if they can meet strict conditions.  The regulations, 
expected to take effect during the next few months, will permit patients 
who cannot grow marijuana themselves to designate a care-giver to raise it 
for them.

Under the proposed system, terminal patients and those suffering from AIDS, 
cancer, multiple sclerosis, severe arthritis and other conditions could win 
exemptions for legal marijuana use to relieve pain and other symptoms, 
including muscle spasms, nausea and seizures. To qualify, doctors will have 
to satisfy Ottawa that other approved treatments are ineffective or cause 
problems for their patients. "It's a step in the right direction," said 
Hilary Black, co-director of the Vancouver-based British Columbia 
Compassion Club Society, which distributes marijuana to medical 
users.  "But we don't see why bureaucrats have to be involved -- a simple 
doctor's prescription for marijuana should be enough."

The new rules were drawn up last July after Ontario's Court of Appeal 
struck down the federal criminal law on marijuana because existing 
regulations rely too heavily on ministerial discretion.  The court said 
unless Ottawa changed the law within a year, growing and possessing 
marijuana would cease to be a crime in Ontario.  Under the current process, 
220 Canadians have exemptions for the medical use of marijuana.  Federal 
officials declined to speculate about how many exemptions might be granted 
under the new rules.
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MAP posted-by: Beth