MEDICAL PRODUCTION OF POT OK'D BY GOVERNMENT

Federal regulations allowing the possession and production of
marijuana for medical purposes recently took effect.

Health Minister Allan Rock recently announced approval of the
regulations which contain two main components -- authorizations to
possess marijuana and licences to produce marijuana. They are
designed to provide transparency in the approval process and a
clearer definition of medical necessity.

"This announcement is a landmark in our ongoing effort to give
Canadians suffering from grave and debilitating illnesses access to
marijuana for medical purposes," said Rock. "This compassionate
measure will improve the quality of life of sick Canadians,
particularly those who are terminally ill."

Criteria for application and authorization to possess marijuana have
been made clear. Applicants must show: symptoms associated with
terminal illnesses with a prognosis of death within 12 months;
symptoms associated with medical conditions listed in a schedule
detailed in the regulations; and symptoms associated with other
medical conditions.

The regulations include how:

* the application process will be managed by the individual applicant
instead of a medical practitioner -- reducing the burden on
physicians and empowering the patient;

* applicants for a designated person production licence will not be
required to submit a document proving no foreign drug conviction
exists;

* the formula to calculate the number of plants permitted under a
licence to produce will be adjusted to reflect estimated indoor and
outdoor growing yields and margins of error;

* transitional provisions will be included to extend all current
exemptions by six months, ensuring patients are afforded an ample
opportunity to comply with the new regulations.

The regulations are available on the Health Canada Web site at www.hc-sc.gc.ca.

Rock also announced research funding and provided a progress report
on efforts to establish a domestic supply of marijuana for medical
purposes.