Pubdate: Sun, 1 Nov 2009
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2009 Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.edmontonsun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Author: Dean Beeby, Canadian Press
Cited: Health Canada http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/marihuana/index-eng.php
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topic/Health+Canada

FEDS DEMAND USERS PREPAY FOR THEIR POT

OTTAWA -- Health Canada is getting tough with patients who use 
government-certified medical marijuana, demanding full payment in 
advance before shipping the weed.

The move, effective Nov. 30, is designed to halt the rising number of 
accounts in arrears -- and force more patients to pay off old debts 
that now total more than $1.2 million.

"This change to a purchase-in-advance system will streamline the 
order and payment process and will prevent further increases to the 
debt load of the department," says a recent Health Canada letter 
issued to users.

More than 4,600 people in Canada are licensed to use medical 
marijuana to treat a wide range of conditions, including chronic 
pain, that may not be resolved by standard prescription drugs.

Several court rulings forced a reluctant Health Canada to get into 
the marijuana business in 2003 so that bona fide patients would not 
have to rely on the black market for supplies.

Most authorized users grow their own pot or have someone else grow it 
for them, all under licence, but some 800 are currently buying their 
medical marijuana from Health Canada.

The government sells dried marijuana for $5 a gram -- about half the 
price of street marijuana -- or 30 seeds for $20, plus GST and 
provincial taxes.

The marijuana, which has received poor reviews from many users for 
being harsh and ineffective, has a THC content of about 12.5%. THC is 
the main active ingredient of the cannabis plant.

Previously, users could order and pay later. But hundreds of patients 
- -- who are often seriously ill, unable to work and on welfare or 
disability pensions -- could not keep up with their Health Canada 
bills and built up large debts.

Beginning Nov. 30, Health Canada will require a money order, 
certified cheque, Visa, Amex or MasterCard before medical marijuana 
is shipped, normally by courier.

And those customers with accounts currently in arrears must agree to 
a payment plan with Health Canada before receiving any more product.

Interest accrues on overdue accounts at 3.5%, and Health Canada has 
sent 31 stale accounts to collections agencies.

Almost 1,100 customers have fallen behind in payments so far, forcing 
Health Canada to carry some $1.2 million in accounts overdue for more 
than 30 days. About half of the accounts have been overdue for a year or more.

"This change (in policy) does not alter Health Canada's commitment to 
providing fair and equitable access to marijuana for medical purposes 
and ... will have no impact on the current authorization process," 
spokeswoman Christelle Legault said in an e-mail. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake