Pubdate: Sun, 27 Apr 2003
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003, Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.fyiottawa.com/ottsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Alison Myrden
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor, headline by newshawk

WHEN WILL THE GOVERNMENT STOP PLAYING GAMES

I am a federal medical marijuana exemptee here in Canada and am appalled at 
the recent story in the Ottawa Sun regarding the medical marijuana Brent 
Zettl is growing in Manitoba being too strong.

I will reiterate what I wrote to Health Minister Anne McLellan and the 
woman who runs the Medical Marijuana Program in Canada, Cindy 
Cripps-Prawak: As chronic pain sufferers, we already require much more 
medicine than the average citizen, let alone one who is battling a 
life-ending illness as well.

We have tried to educate this country and its citizens that stronger is not 
always a bad thing with cannabis. In my case, it means I can smoke less. I 
can eliminate more pharmaceuticals. I have less pain because I am not 
stressing about where my next marijuana cigarette or cookie is coming from 
because it lasts longer and I have fewer physical issues and more 
acceptable quality of life. What do they not get?

When will the government of Canada stop playing games with those of us who 
have chosen to speak out in such a controversial issue and give us what we 
deserve: Our medicine? What doesn't this government understand ?

Alison Myrden

The Medical Marijuana Mission

(As we understand it, the problem isn't the strength per se, but that the 
strong stuff is too hard to grow -- but we're sure they'll make medical pot 
available ... oh, about the time they get rid of the GST and buy the Armed 
Forces new helicopters)
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens