Pubdate: Tue, 23 Mar 2004
Source: Ubyssey (CN BC Edu)
Contact:  http://www.ubyssey.bc.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/706
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada)

PRESCRIPTION THE FIRST STEP

Coming to a pharmacy near you: medicinal marijuana. Too bad only 78 people 
across the country are registered with Health Canada to use the stuff.

But nonetheless, Health Canada is considering the progressive step of 
making that Flin Flon, Manitoba bud available without a perscription to 
registered users at local pharmacies.

Will this step prove to be a boon to increase the number of people 
registered to recieve government-issued pot? It seems that registered users 
have complained constantly about the quality of the pot, with one user even 
calling it a "very raunchy, poor quality smoke."

A Health Canada survey estimates that seven per cent of the Canadian 
population, about 290,000, illegally use marijuana to relieve their 
symptoms. Getting the stuff into drug stores may not ensure that those who 
need it will buy it legally from the government, especially considering the 
legendary BC bud is likely grown in your neighbour's basement.

How the government struggles to grow a plant that is actually a weed, with 
all the legal hydroponics needed, is hard to fathom. But perhaps we could 
save the tax dollars being poured into Flin Flon and the BC resources used 
to bust those illegal, albeit high quality, grow ops to come up with a 
solution where pot could be grown locally and legally for medicinal 
purposes. But then again, government never likes competition.

Currently, registered users are allowed to grow pot themselves or have a 
representative grow it for them. If the government goes ahead with the plan 
to have it available in drugstores, there is concern that eventually you 
will not have the option of growing it yourself. Alas, you'll be stuck with 
the weak government-issue brand.

There is also the cost issue. While charging and taxing marijuana would be 
a huge source of revenue for the government-considering there are 
approximately 1.5 million pot smokers in Canada-will users be willing to 
pay the extra cost for something that they could easily buy under the table 
from the neighbour down the street? Unlike cigarettes or even over the 
counter medications, pot is something that is easily grown in one's home, 
not requiring a multitude of ingredients like, say, a bottle of Tylenol Three.

The system is also subject to abuse. Could one user potentially hit up five 
or six drug stores in one day, procuring not only enough pot for their 
ailments but also enough for their friends? Or will pharmacies who carry it 
be required to install an elaborate and expensive electronic system for 
regulating customers?

On the plus side, steps toward decriminalisation has freed up police 
resources to more pressing issues. About 25,000 possession charges are laid 
in Canada every year. With marijuana being sold at the local drug store, 
less charges would be laid. This is a great step against prohibition. 
Medical studies constantly reinforce that there are minimal health risks of 
marijuana use.

Additionally, marijuana made available through a pharmacy would ensure the 
purity of the plant, preventing the risk of users coming into contact with 
pot laced with harsher, more addictive drugs.

Hopefully one day in the future the most deliberation in this area will be 
deciding between 'home-grown' or 'crown.'
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager