Pubdate: Sat, 09 Oct 1999 Source: Globe and Mail (Canada) Copyright: 1999, The Globe and Mail Company Contact: http://www.globeandmail.ca/ Forum: http://forums.theglobeandmail.com/ POT OKAY FOR MEDICAL USE, HAMM SAYS HALIFAX -- Premier John Hamm, a former family physician, said he approves of the medical use of marijuana if it relieves the suffering of some seriously ill patients. The Premier said he has dealt with cancer and AIDS patients and feels that some sufferers should be allowed to smoke pot to make them feel better. "If it can be shown, and there's now evidence building, that this drug can be used for the benefit of people with illnesses of this magnitude, then by all means we should be using it," Dr. Hamm said at Province House. On Wednesday, federal Health Minister Allan Rock said Health Canada will fund trials and longer-term research on the therapeutic value of marijuana. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea