Pubdate: Tue, 20 Jul 2004
Source: Winnipeg Sun (CN MB)
Copyright: 2004 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.fyiwinnipeg.com/winsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/503
Author: Chris Buors
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada)

HEALTH CANADA SICK

Letter writer Gord Higham ought to be grateful that Health Canada
bureaucrats showed Canadians their true colours.

Gord was under the delusion that Health Canada's ultimate goal is the
protection of the public. It was revealed months ago that protecting
the public as well as protecting the trade secrets of big-pharma was
the goal of Health Canada. Health Canada is a mouthpiece for the heath
minister, not an independent body of truth tellers.

Marijuana party candidate Andy Cassie once owned a Section 56
clearance to grow and possess cannabis issued by Health Canada. That
licence needed yearly renewal. Even though Andy has gained weight,
feels better and looks better, his doctor would not renew the licence
giving the reason that the Canadian Medical Association he belongs to
is against the idea because of insurance concerns.

I asked Andy if he thought that the doctor was looking out for the
better interests of his patients or the better interests of the
association. Andy has a neurological brain disease and he had no
problem understanding who his licensed medical practitioner looks out
for. Andy has no delusions of who Health Canada looks out for either
and it is not the patient.

Andy's insight makes me wonder why people without a brain disorder
think medicine and the minister of health look out for the public's
interest.

Caveat Emptor has always been the only true protection, Mr.
Higham.

Chris Buors

Winnipeg

(Buyer beware, indeed.)
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake