Pubdate: Thursday, March 18, 1999
Source: Toronto Star (Canada)
Copyright: 1999, The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Author: Stephen John Van de Kemp

CLINICAL TRIALS ARE LONG OVERDUE

As a medical user of cannabis, I am pleased to see some action on this issue
by our Canadian government.

Clinical trials are long overdue. Many sick people have fought long and hard
to be heard while facing threats, arrest, incarceration, drug dealers, court
battles, huge expenses and our own illnesses.

All we want is a little respect and to maintain our dignity without facing
criminal charges for trying to heal ourselves when all else has failed.

Be assured this will be one long, slow process for a plant that has been
condemned as many times as it has been allowed for medicinal use.

I believe that, due to the history of its use and its safety record (no
deaths), we should fast-track the semi-approval of cannabis while we study
it for years.

There is enough ancedotal evidence now to do just that.

In the meantime, God speed Allan Rock.

Today, a great many sick and dying people are feeling a little better!

Stephen John Van de Kemp Bradford, Ont.

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