Pubdate: Mon, 29 Jul 2002
Source: Daily News, The (CN NS)
Copyright: 2002 The Daily News
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/halifax/dailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/179
Author: Debbie Stultz-Giffin
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1337/a08.html

POT REGULATIONS A FAILURE

To the editor:

The plight of Herbert Wilson is a glowing example of the Health Canada's 
Medical Marijuana Access Regulations' abysmal failure at meeting the needs 
of Canadians with incurable diseases and conditions (Former Peacekeeper 
Fights Cannabis Rap, The Daily News, July 17).

Wilson's family doctor is hesitant to support medical marijuana use, thanks 
to the overcautionary, unfounded warnings issued by the Canadian Medical 
Association and the Canadian Medical Protective Association. However, 
according to the medical-marijuana regulations, degenerative-disc disease 
qualifies as a category 3 condition, requiring two relevant specialists to 
support an application for an exemption. Wilson has waited six months of 
the 29-month waiting period to see the specialists. If successful in his 
bid to obtain support, he will wait then wait an additional six to eight 
months for Health Canada to process his application.

Gimme a break. Over three years for an ill person to weave his way through 
Health Canada's obstacle course and our ailing healthcare system to use a 
medication that he required yesterday? Now, Herbert is being prosecuted for 
taking his health into his own hands.

The only criminal element in the story is that the same government that 
decorated Wilson for his dedicated service is now failing him miserably 
when he needs it the most.

Debbie Stultz-Giffin

Bridgetown
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens