Pubdate: Wed, 21 Aug 2002
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada)

LEGALIZED POT FOR MEDICAL USE IS THE PRACTICAL OPTION

Thousands of Canadians who suffer from various health problems still want 
to smoke pot to help them handle the symptoms and the pain.  The only thing 
that's changed about medical marijuana issue in Canada this week is 
Ottawa's mind - health Minister Anne McLellan's decision to stop supplying 
marijuana for medical purposes until such time clinical trials are complete.

So in the meantime patients who rely on cannabis to ease their pain will 
continue to be between a rock and a hard place: having the ability to 
legally own pot, but not being allowed to buy it without breaking the law. 
This isn't a very enlightened or compassionate - or sensible - policy.

Insisting that she is "not insensitive to those who feel it helps them in 
their final days or acute illness situations," Ms. McLellan says she owes 
it to Canadians to ensure that marijuana is safe and effective before 
approving its widespread use.

We agree that Ms. McLellan should start the medical trials soon to ensure 
that marijuana, like other therapeutic drugs, is safe.  But in light of 
anecdotal evidence that cannabis  is already helping thousands of patients 
every day, and in view of the fact that they're using it whether she likes 
it or not, Ms. McLellan should give the practice her blessing, at least 
until the evidence suggests otherwise.

The Canadian Medical Association Journal says in a recent editorial, "The 
minimal negative effects of moderate use would be attested to by the 
estimated 1.5 million Canadians who smoke marijuana for recreational purposes."

The Ontario courts seem to agree.  Two years ago, the Ontario Court of 
Appeal ruled that Torontonian Terry Parker could smoke pot to control his 
epileptic seizures.   And the curt gave Ottawa 12 months to amend the law 
against possessing marijuana for medical purposes or appeal the ruling to 
the Supreme Court of Canada.

Ottawa chose not to appeal and introduced regulations last year to permit 
qualified patients to smoke pot.  The feds also hired a firm in Manitoba to 
grow medical marijuana.  But on Monday, Ms. McLellan pulled the plug on the 
whole project.

Ironically, Ms. McLellan, when she was minister of justice, indicated that 
she supports decriminalization for simple possession of marijuana.  So does 
the current Minister of Justice, Martin Cauchon.

Now both have done a u-turn.  The reasons, at least as far as we can tell, 
are two-fold.  Doctors have be lobbying hard against prescribing pot for 
medical use.  And American officials have also been against the idea of 
making cannabis more freely and legally available in Canada.

Critics contend that marijuana hasn't been through any double blind tests 
to prove its safety and efficacy.  But the fact is a lot of therapies in 
the market today haven't been through such tests either. So the requirement 
for a double-blind test is a red herring and doesn't help the thousands who 
maintain that they need and want marijuana right now.

As far as the American objections go, realpolitik demands that the federal 
government tread carefully.  But Ottawa must not be shy to point out to 
Washington that 12 U.S. states have already decriminalized possession of pot.

And Ottawa must also let the Americans know that wasting police resources 
on making criminals out of otherwise law abiding Canadians isn't a priority 
here.

There are two ways for Ottawa to amend the pot laws.  It can decriminalize 
possession for personal use or legalize it completely.

Decriminalizing won't solve the catch-22 that many patients are in today: 
being able to legally buy pot, but not sell it.  Legalization, therefore, 
is the only practical option.

Legalization, however, does raise questions about the appropriate 
regulatory framework for production and distribution.  And there are issues 
surrounding public health and safety.

These important questions can be dealt with if Ottawa makes the practical 
decision to legalize pot.  But as long as ineffectual politicians continue 
to dither, some patients will continue to either suffer in pain or skate 
around the law, and too many ordinary Canadians will carry the stigma of 
having a criminal record.
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MAP posted-by: Tom