Pubdate: Wed, 21 Aug 2002
Source: Winnipeg Sun (CN MB)
Copyright: 2002 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.fyiwinnipeg.com/winsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/503
Author: Stephanie Rubec
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada)

POT PROGRAM GAINS REPRIEVE

SAGUENAY, Que. -- Health Minister Anne McLellan backed down yesterday from 
plans to snuff out government experiments to supply medical marijuana, 
adding she'll wait for the results of clinical tests before making a decision.

"I have to be very concerned about the health and safety of Canadians," she 
said.

"We are dealing with a drug that has not gone through the normal clinical 
trials that one would expect in relation to a product of this kind."

McLellan said she won't make a move until she gets the results of the 
clinical tests, which are expected to start late this fall or early winter.

McLellan told the Canadian Medial Association in Saint John Monday that she 
felt uncomfortable with the idea of Ottawa providing pot to relieve pain.

She told the gathering she was considering putting an end to the federal 
government's controversial $5.7-million project to grow medicinal-grade 
marijuana in an underground mine in Flin Flon.
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MAP posted-by: Tom