Pubdate: Fri, 06 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: Mark Dunn

ROCK SETTING RULES FOR MEDICAL WEED

OTTAWA --  Health Minister Allan Rock will today announce the 
criteria to allow medical users of marijuana to select someone to 
grow pot for them and set limits on the number of plants that can be 
grown.

Rock will spell out the rules to possess and grow marijuana and allow 
doctors to determine how much pot a medical user can have to relieve 
pain and nausea.

A copy of draft regulations obtained by Sun Media shows there are 
three categories that would allow a medical user to keep a stash of 
pot.

People with terminal illnesses, those with serious medical conditions 
and people with symptoms associated with other medical conditions 
would be eligible.

"If you are terminally ill, you might not want to have to grow it 
yourself. So you can designate someone else to be the one who would 
produce it or grow it for you," said Catherine Lappe, a spokeswoman 
for Rock.

Under the proposals, the government would licence the maximum number 
of indoor and outdoor plants depending on the patient's daily needs. 
The government has so far allowed about 210 people to smoke marijuana 
without fear of prosecution because of medical reasons. The 
regulations are expected to come into effect by July 31.
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MAP posted-by: Josh Sutcliffe