Pubdate: Tue, 22 Aug 2017
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2017 The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Edgar R. Cowtan
Page: A10

PROTECTING POT USERS

I am a physician that has recently joined a clinic that prescribes
medical marijuana. I have been impressed by the number of patients
that are getting relief from the product (especially with high
cannabidiol or CBD).

I had heard rumours of some companies using fungicides and
insecticides, and that they had been shut down. Certainly, many of our
patients, who had been using marijuana for years, were delighted when
they found a legal (and what they thought safe) way to obtain their
product.

Your recent article is very disturbing (Mysterious Symptoms And Medical 
Marijuana: Patients Are Looking For Answers, Aug. 21). Our medical 
history is filled with other examples that somehow slipped through the 
cracks. Thalidomide and Agent Orange come immediately to mind.

It would appear that some of the producers may be cutting corners.

I do not think it's excessive to see enforced and random checks of all
suppliers, coupled with at least fines, if not loss of licence, for
those found with any insecticide or fungicide levels in their product.

My patients are not a bunch of "pot heads." These people should have
all the protection the rest of the public enjoys from proper
government surveillance of our food and drugs.

Edgar R. Cowtan, Medicine Hat, Alta.
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MAP posted-by: Matt