Pubdate: Mon, 02 Sep 2002
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2002 The Edmonton Journal
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: Chris Rolfe

OTTAWA TAKES A TOUGHER STANCE ON POT THAN OTHER HERBAL CURES

Re: "More research needs to be done into medical uses of cannabis," 
Journal, Aug. 29.

In regards to Paula Simons' column and Health Minister Anne McLellan's 
recent suggestion that marijuana undergo clinical trials -- which could 
take anywhere from 5 to 10 years -- this is nothing more than the same old 
political hypocrisy by a minister of a political party that makes all their 
decisions according to polls and American bullying.

If the federal government was so concerned about the potential side-effects 
of herbal substances such as marijuana, why are they not conducting 
full-scale clinical trials on all the so-called herbal remedies which are 
legally marketed throughout Canada?

Some of these products are marketed as mood-altering substances, others 
such are sold as stimulants, sleep-aids and natural cortisone. Where are 
the clinical trials on these products?

Has corporate America (read pharmaceutical companies) jerked a few choke 
chains around the necks of our federal politicians knowing they have no 
alternatives to the reported therapeutic effects of marijuana such as pain 
relief, nausea relief and control of spasms and seizures?

If McLellan wants to have any credibility on this issue she should hold all 
these other so-called natural remedies to the same standard as marijuana 
and stop trying to fool some of the people some of the time.

Chris Rolfe, Edmonton
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