Pubdate: Thu, 18 Mar 1999
Date: 03/18/1999
Source: Toronto Star (Canada)
Author: Stephen John Van de Kemp

As a medical user of cannabis, I am pleased to see some action on this
issue by our Canadian government.

Clinical trials are long overdue. Many sick people have fought long
and hard to be heard while facing threats, arrest, incarceration, drug
dealers, court battles, huge expenses and our own illnesses.

All we want is a little respect and to maintain our dignity without
facing criminal charges for trying to heal ourselves when all else has
failed.

Be assured this will be one long, slow process for a plant that has
been condemned as many times as it has been allowed for medicinal use.

I believe that, due to the history of its use and its safety record
(no deaths), we should fast-track the semi-approval of cannabis while
we study it for years.

There is enough ancedotal evidence now to do just that.

In the meantime, God speed Allan Rock.

Today, a great many sick and dying people are feeling a little
better!

Stephen John Van de Kemp Bradford, Ont.