Pubdate: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 Source: Grand Forks Gazette, The (Canada) Contact: +1-250-442-3336 Author: Michael Chouinard FEDS FORESEE DOMESTIC CANNABIS SUPPLY The opportunities for medicinal marijuana have been growing quickly since June, according to the federal government. This was when it released its report, Health Canada's Research Plan on Marijuana for Medical Purposes. Health Minister Allan Rock announced last week that 16 applicants have been granted exemptions by Health Canada to possess marijuana for medical purposes and that the review of another eight applications is near completion. He also said Health Canada has been working in conjunction with a number of research agencies to develop studies to determine the effectiveness and safety of marijuana for various symptoms. The findings for these studies should be made available in January, 2000 at which time the work would commence. Health Canada has announced that it wants to have a Canadian operation in place within a year to provide a supply of research-grade cannabis. This is the development that could spur activity locally according to Brian Taylor of Grand Forks. The beginning of next year, he says, will be the time for more news on the research front. "The call for proposals (to produce medical-grade marijuana) will likely be right after that," he says. Taylor says his business, the Grand Forks Hemp Company, has been busy getting prepared for future opportunities. As of last week, it is also now associated with the Hemp Industries Association, the largest North American hemp organization. Taylor says he has also sent a business plan to Community Futures Development Corporation for review, and hopes his company will eventually be eligible for government grants. Taylor says he also has a proposal in to use Canada Post as a means of distributing small amounts of medical-grade marijuana if his company is chosen to produce it. "They have a secured-mailing system," says Taylor. Packages could only be released if the recipient signs at the point of delivery. Until such time as a licit, domestic supply is established, Health Minister Rock says Canada will look to both the U.S. National Institute of Drug Abuse and a private company in the U.K., GW Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. to provide drug material for upcoming clinical trials. These sources will be acessed as soon as clinical trials are ready to begin. - --- MAP posted-by: manemez j lovitto