Pubdate: Thursday, March 4, 1999 Source: Globe and Mail (Canada) Copyright: 1999, The Globe and Mail Company Contact: http://www.globeandmail.ca/ Forum: http://forums.theglobeandmail.com/ Author: Erin Anderssen OTTAWA APPROVES CLINICAL MARIJUANA TRIALS Study Could Lead To Legalization For Patients Ottawa - The federal government plans to start clinical trials on the therapeutic benefits of marijuana -- a study that could eventually lead to legalizing the drug for people suffering from diseases such as cancer, AIDS and multiple sclerosis. Health Minister Allan Rock announced yesterday that his department is developing guidelines for the trials to establish clear scientific evidence whether marijuana helps chronically and terminally ill patients manage pain and deal with other symptoms of their illnesses. The study would examine how the drug should be administered, and how a safe supply could be distributed to qualifying patients. "There are people who are dying," Mr. Rock said. "They want access to something they believe will help with their symptoms. We want to help." He said it hasn't been determined how long the trials will take or who will participate, but the study is expected to be a partnership between the government and private researchers. The Health Department has already consulted with the Food and Drug Administration in the United States -- which is also planning similar trials -- about acquiring a supply of the drug for the tests. Making marijuana available to patients by prescription will not require an amendment to the criminal code, a Health Department source said. The drug could be administered under an existing section of the Food and Drug Act, which allows for special access to prohibited substances. Anecdotal evidence that marijuana alleviates pain in some patients has been growing -- although people continue to face criminal charges across Canada even when they claim to be using it for medical purposes. That's what happened to Mark Crossley, a 38-year-old Nova Scotia man with an inoperable brain tumour, who said the government's announcement is "long overdue." Mr. Crossley was sentenced last week to four months of house arrest and 18 months probation for growing marijuana in his backyard. He said he received the sentence even after the court was told he smoked the drug to deal with the painful headaches and appetite loss caused by his cancer -- a practice supported in writing by his doctor. "They've sentenced me to a death, slowly and cruelly," Mr. Crossley said. "I've got three to four years left. [The judge] is not in a position to tell me what I can do with my health." Mr. Rock said his announcement is not a step toward a widespread legalization of the drug. "This has nothing to do with legalizing marijuana," he said, but added, "I think Canadians support on a compassionate basis, if someone is dying, access to a substance that could alleviate their suffering." An Edmonton doctor who specializes in pain management applauded the announcement yesterday, saying clinical trials are needed to set up national standards and study all sides of the issue. Doctor Helen Hays is about to publish a paper on a patient she studied who smoked marijuana to counter the symptoms of a debilitating and painful muscle disorder. "There was a tremendous improvement," she said, while cautioning the drug brings its own side effects and doesn't work for everyone. "We all need to know an awful lot more about it." Mr. Rock's announcement pre-empts a debate today in the House of Commons of a private member's bill from a Bloc Qu8Ab8Acois MP that asks the government to conduct studies on the issue. Stephane Bigras has obtained support for his motion from the Bloc, New Democrat and Progressive Conservative caucuses, as well as prominent medical doctors among the Liberals. But the idea is not said to be supported by the majority of Reform MPs. Reform health critic Grant Hill, a doctor who is against patients smoking marijuana, said he is worried about the drug becoming too widespread in its use. "Does the minister go down this road knowing how far it will go?" he asked. But Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett, who is also a doctor, said the medical community needs guidelines to resolve the dilemma. "It's been a shame," Dr. Bennett said, "that when there's something that really works for people they have to use illegal routes to get it." Doctors can currently prescribe a synthetic form of marijuana, but it is expensive, and many patients complain that oral forms of the drug don't work as well as smoking it. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea