Pubdate: Wed, 04 Apr 2001
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2001 The Calgary Sun
Contact:  http://www.canoe.ca/OttawaSun/home.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67
Author: Dennis Bueckert

NEW POT RULES PROPOSED

OTTAWA (CP) -- The federal government is set to propose new 
regulations this week making marijuana more accessible for people 
suffering from serious illnesses.

It's expected the new regulations will address a contradiction in 
current regulations, which allow people with illnesses to use 
marijuana but provide no legal route of supply.

"When we first announced some time ago that we'd make marijuana 
available for medical purposes it's because some people believe that 
for those who are seriously ill or in discomfort it can be of 
assistance, so it was based on compassion," Health Minister Allan 
Rock said Tuesday.

"The steps we propose in the regulations which will be tabled next 
week or later this week, will be intended to carry through on that in 
a very practical way."

The proposed changes will likely widen the gap between Canadian 
policies and those in the United States, where the federal government 
still sees marijuana as a major target in its "war on drugs."

The U.S. government has gone to court to stop the operation of 
"cannabis clubs" in California, saying there is no medical use for 
marijuana, contrary to lower court rulings in that state.

In contrast, Ottawa intends to comply with an Ontario ruling last 
year that found the law banning possession of marijuana 
unconstitutional and gave the federal government one year to amend 
it. The intention is to get new rules in place by July 31 to comply 
with a court-ordered deadline, said Catherine Lappe, Rock's press 
secretary, in an interview Tuesday.

The proposed amendments will likely be published in the Canada 
Gazette this week, with public comment invited for a 30-day period.

Currently, people with serious illnesses can apply for exemption from 
prosecution for growing or using marijuana, and some 210 people have 
obtained exemptions. Many applications have stalled or been rejected.

"There's still a lot of stumbling blocks and bureaucracy involved, 
even after an application's been supported medically," said Tim 
McClemont, executive director of the Hepatitis C Society of Canada.

Last month, police raided the home of Toronto AIDS patient Jim 
Wakeford, who has a permit to use marijuana. They seized about 200 
cannabis plants he was growing for himself and chronically ill 
friends.

In February two men were charged with trafficking after police raided 
Montreal's Club Compassion, one of several clubs that have sprung up 
across the country for medical marijuana users.

Michel Perron, chief executive officer of the Canadian Centre on 
Substance Abuse, said marijuana should be made available with a 
doctor's prescription.

"There's a tremendous amount of anecdotal evidence that ... there 
might be some benefits to the use of cannabis for certain 
conditions," said Perron.

"I think the intention of Health Canada is to facilitate access to 
marijuana on a trial basis to determine whether it is in fact helpful 
for them (and) to undertake some research into what are the 
consequences of its use."

Reports suggest the new rules would allow a patient who is ill to 
designate another person as a supplier, which would be a significant 
step beyond current regulations.
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MAP posted-by: Josh Sutcliffe