Pubdate: Fri, 10 May 2002
Source: Victoria News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 Victoria News
Contact:  http://www.vicnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1267
Author: Don  Descoteau
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada)

VICTORIA WANTS ANSWERS ON MEDICAL POT ACCESS

Victoria Mayor Alan Lowe wants to know how to get some medical marijuana.

Lowe says he plans to contact Health Canada to inquire about the 
availability of medical marijuana. Speaking at a committee of the whole 
meeting in Victoria May 2, Lowe told city councillors he hopes to arrange 
for a representative of Health Canada to speak at a combined police 
board/council gathering about access to the federally-sanctioned supply of pot.

When asked afterward about the time frame for such a meeting, Lowe was 
non-committal, saying it depends mainly on the availability of a person 
from the federal health department's Ottawa-based office.

Victoria medical marijuana advocate Ted Smith, among the people to have 
complained that Health Canada's distribution procedures have made it 
virtually impossible for those with legitimate need to use marijuana for 
medicinal purposes, said he's pleased Health Canada is being called on the 
carpet to clarify its policies.

"To my knowledge this is the first time Health Canada has ever been called 
to address any municipal council," he said.

At its April 18 committee of the whole meeting, Victoria councillors voted 
to in general support the issuing of medical marijuana by suppliers other 
than Health Canada. Two such "compassion clubs" are in existence in Greater 
Victoria.

Health Canada, which set up its lone growing operation in Flin Flon, Man. 
in 2000 to supply terminally ill patients and those suffering from chronic 
pain from other illnesses with government-approved pot, has been plagued 
with distribution problems, despite the fact relatively few people have 
been issued legal medical exemptions to use the drug.

Smith estimates that less than 40 people in the 800-member Cannabis Buyers' 
Club which he co-founded have legal exemptions. Most have not bothered to 
apply, he said, because going through Health Canada takes too long.
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MAP posted-by: Beth