Pubdate: Sun, 05 Aug 2001
Source: Kamloops This Week (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 Kamloops This Week
Contact:  http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1271
Author: Dale Bass

WAIT TO DIE

John Doe (not his real name) fears his legacy for his family will be "a lot 
of mumbo jumbo."

He suffers from a debilitating disease which could be eased by using 
medical marijuana. A specialist has prescribed the drug for him, noting on 
the form it would "prevent death."

All the forms required by the government for permission to use and grow the 
drug have been completed by his general physician, who worked in 
conjunction with the specialist on his case.

On Friday, Health Canada called and told him he was turned down.

"I had to move because of my condition and now they're telling me my doctor 
isn't my doctor anymore because I moved. They want me to see a specialist 
and go through this all again.

"I had a specialist on the Coast, but I can't travel anymore. So now they 
want me to find a new specialist and most of them have two-year waiting 
lists. I'll be dead by then."

His situation angers Paul Lagace, AIDS Society of Kamloops client services 
co-ordinator.

"If there is a medical need, why do they have to go through this whole 
rigmarole to get the cannabis they need to make them feel better? "My 
concern is it is the family physician treating the patient who is the most 
qualified to know the person's needs and the decision on whether medical 
marijuana will help them should stop right there. The government shouldn't 
have any input on a relationship between a patient and doctor." 
Applications must contain two passport-sized photographs for identification 
cards, another requirement which receives Lagace's ire.

"They're busy creating an ID process rather than a supply process. It's 
just an additional barrier for these people, many who just don't have the 
money to do all this."

Financial hardship is another concern Lagace has with the new regulations. 
He continues to advocate for government financial support for people who 
want to grow their own marijuana.

"(The government) won't provide support for persons who need to cultivate 
it for their use. It's like saying to a person that you can have penicillin 
for your illness but you have to go to Mexico to get it."

For Doe, the rejection is a stress he could do without.

"Stress always makes my illness get worse and I can't eat now anyhow. I'm 
hungry but, when I eat, I throw up."

He's unsure what his next step should be. The Health Canada official who 
called said she would send new forms for him to reapply.

"I just don't know if I can go through all this again. I applied back in 
April and had to wait this long.

"Now, they want me to find another specialist, hope he can see me soon, 
bring him up to date on my file, hope he agrees with the other one because 
some have different ideas about this (medical marijuana), reapply and wait. 
"I really don't know what my options are other than to go to the streets to 
get it. But then I risk getting arrested and thrown in jail and, with my 
condition, I can't have that happen."
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart