Pubdate: Wed, 02 Nov 2011
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2011 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/wEtbT4yU
Website: http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286
Author: Matthew M. Elrod

CANADA NEEDS MEDICAL CANNABIS DISPENSARIES

As a therapeutic herb and natural health product, cannabis cannot be 
subjected to the sort of clinical trials applied to pharmaceuticals. 
Perhaps more importantly, herbs can not be patented, so there is no 
incentive for private pharmaceutical companies to shepherd them 
through the expensive drug approval process.

However, cannabis already surpasses the accepted standards for 
natural health products. The benefit-risk profile of cannabis is well 
within that of many commonly used pharmaceutical drugs, and many 
studies have already demonstrated the health benefits and safety of cannabis.

Given its widespread use, surely doctors should already be familiar 
with the effects, contraindications and drug interactions. And 
patients would benefit from not fearing arrest or being criminalized.

Matthew M. Elrod, Victoria.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom