Pubdate: Mon, 17 Dec 2012
Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Nanaimo Daily News
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608
Author: Tamsyn Burgmann

FEDS STAMP OUT ROLE IN MEDICAL POT DELIVERY, SPARKING CONTROVERSY

Only Companies Meeting Security Requirements Can Grow and Sell the Drug

Ottawa's decision to snuff its role in dispensing medical marijuana 
has ignited a debate over how the move will impact public health and safety.

A range of groups - including those representing law enforcement 
officials, physicians and medical cannabis advocates - were reacting 
Sunday after the federal health ministry announced it will stop 
producing and distributing medicinal pot in favour of opening the 
market to private companies.

The current program has allowed anyone with a government permit to 
grow it themselves, including in their own homes. But the 
Conservatives argue that with 26,000 permits handed out over the past 
decade, the system has become unwieldy and resulted in "unintended 
consequences."

"We have heard real concerns from law enforcement, fire officials and 
municipalities about how people are hiding behind these rules to 
conduct illegal activity," Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said in a release.

The government intends to implement changes by March 31, 2014 that 
will do away with the system of individual permits so that only 
companies meeting security requirements can grow and sell the drug. 
The move has drawn criticism from a number of sides, and not everyone 
against the changes supports the use of medical marijuana.

Doctors represented by the Canadian Medical Association used harsh 
words to pan the move, arguing the government is abdicating its 
necessary role as regulator.

"There's huge potential for harm to patients and the federal 
government's decision is equivalent to asking doctors to prescribe 
while blindfolded," said Dr. Anna Reid, CMA president.

Reid said the decision does not put patients first, while leaving 
doctors to deal with a substance that has little clinical evidence to 
back its use.

She added that the strains of pot being produced today are much more 
powerful than in the past, and they have not been rigorously tested.

Meanwhile, a not-for-profit that supports cannabis dispensaries in 
communities said it too is reluctant to endorse the change because it 
means the drug remains unaffordable to those who need it.

The Canadian Association of Medical Cannabis Dispensaries "remains 
concerned that patients will continue facing barriers to access," 
said president Rade Kovacevic.

He cited research that more than 50 per cent of medical marijuana 
users currently obtain their medicine through dispensaries. Putting 
production in the hands of companies will mean the government will no 
longer subsidize the cost, which had been upwards of $5 a gram. Under 
the new system the cost will rise to $8.80 a gram.

Another grassroots coalition is seeking support for a legal challenge 
of the changes, setting up a trust fund and campaigning to bring 
anyone who holds a medical marijuana licence on board.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom