Pubdate: Mon, 31 Mar 2014
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2014 The StarPhoenix
Contact: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Author: Jim Bronskill

PATIENTS FACE TOUGH CHOICE: GO WITHOUT OR BREAK LAW

OTTAWA - They might have a temporary reprieve, but pain-stricken
Canadians who grow their own medical marijuana say they could soon
face a difficult choice: go without the weed they need or break the
law to get it.

A Federal Court judge recently granted an injunction that allows
thousands of patients to continue cultivating their own marijuana at
home, or designate someone to grow it for them - at least until their
legal challenge of planned new rules can be argued more fully.

But the federal government is determined to change the system, even if
Tuesday's full-fledged launch will be delayed.

"Health Canada does not endorse the use of marijuana," said department
spokeswoman Sara Lauer, indicating federal officials administer a
medical pot program only because the courts have said there must be
reasonable access to the drug.

"The previous program was open to serious abuse."

Growing marijuana at home introduces hazards including mould, fire,
toxic chemicals and the threat of violent theft by criminals, Health
Canada says.

The number of people authorized to possess - and often grow -
marijuana under the old regime rose to almost 38,000 this year from
fewer than 100 in 2001.

The government argues that figure is likely to jump dramatically,
compounding the problems that plague a program that cost $16 million
to run in 2011-12.

It plans to allow only select commercial producers - 12 have been
licensed to date - to grow marijuana under "secure and sanitary
conditions" for distribution by mail to medically approved patients.

If the courts ultimately reject the legal challenge to the plan led by
several home growers, anyone other than a licensed producer
cultivating pot would be breaking the law.

Licensed firms are offering marijuana at between $5 and $13.50 a gram,
with at least three offering "compassionate pricing" for clients on a
fixed income, as low as $3 a gram, Lauer said.

"The regulations introduce conditions for a competitive industry and
it is possible that the prices will fall over time in response to
competition and innovation."

One company, Mettrum, says clients who qualify for provincial or
federal income assistance, or have an annual income below $30,000, can
receive a 30 per cent discount on the first 30 grams of medical
marijuana they buy each month.

Still, some patients argue the new system will deny them a safe,
affordable supply of the particular strains of marijuana that make
their often-debilitating conditions bearable.

Alison Myrden of Burlington, Ont., says it costs just pennies for her
designated grower to produce the more than 100 grams of marijuana she
needs each day to relieve symptoms of multiple sclerosis and
trigeminal neuralgia, a disorder of the nervous system that causes
especially intense discomfort.

Myrden, 50, says she cannot afford to switch to a licensed producer.
"It's for the people who have money," she said. "The government has
not taken that into consideration - that the majority of these people,
including myself, are on full disability and completely
marginalized."

A former Ontario correctional officer, Myrden is used to playing by
the rules. "I don't want to break the law," she said.

Others say they will have little choice if the Federal Court upholds
the new system.

Neil Allard, who helped spearhead the legal challenge, says in a court
filing it could cost about $200 a day - $72,000 a year - to buy the
marijuana he needs to get relief from symptoms of his serious
neuro-immune disorder.

Currently the Abbotsford, B.C., man grows his own supply for between
$200 and $300 a month.

Allard, 59, says even at $5 a gram it would cost him "more than my
monthly income," adding he likely will have to "seek out a black
market product" that is less expensive.

David Hebert of Surrey, B.C., the designated grower for his wife,
Tanya, faces a similar dilemma. He says it costs just 50 cents a gram
to supply her with the two to 10 grams she consumes a day to control
nausea, violent vomiting and pain from diabetes.

Hebert has told the court he looked online at the marijuana available
from licensed producers and found the prices too steep.

"Consequently, if I am no longer able to produce for Tanya at a
reasonable cost, we will have no alternative but to try and seek out
alternative medicine through the black market or illicit market to
assist her," he says in an affidavit.

"This is something we have always tried to avoid and concerns me
insofar as our safety and security is concerned."  
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