Pubdate: Thu, 24 Jan 2002 Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON) Copyright: 2002 The Ottawa Citizen Contact: http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326 Author: Debbie Stultz-Giffin Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n083/a11.html Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada) GRAVELY ILL BETRAYED BY MARIJUANA 'LUNACY' Re: AIDS patient loses appeal for safe supply of marijuana, Jan. 18. If our judges don't have the courage to do something about the Medical Marijuana Access Regulations, then who will? Patients and doctors have been trying to get Health Canada to listen. Our cries are falling on deaf ears. Something must be done. The access regulations are a glowing example of Canadian bureaucracy at its finest. Patients are being forced to see one or two new specialists with extensive waiting periods. Doctors risk legal liability because of the wording on Health Canada's application forms, leaving very few physicians willing to assist patients. Many caregivers and people willing to grow marijuana for exemptees are unable to obtain "legal status" to protect themselves from harassment. We still have no safe, legal, affordable source for our medication. When will the lunacy end? The regulations are a mere semblance of doing something. The regulations show no compassion or understanding about living with a grave and debilitating illness. Marijuana is the only viable option to many of us who live with these merciless diseases. It's time for Health Minister Anne McLellan to go back to the drawing board. Her rules leave the sick and dying in an overwhelming chasm of abandonment. Debbie Stultz-Giffin, Bridgetown, N.S. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake