DOCTOR APPROACHES MEDICINAL MARIJUANA WITH CAUTION

The Federal government has set a dangerous precedent by legalizing
marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Health Canada's medicinal marijuana project, which came into effect July
30, is getting a side-way glance from local physician, Dr. Jaime Cervantes.
The bottom line for this family physician is that he won't be prescribing
marijuana for his patients.

The former chief of staff at the Fort Saskatchewan Health Centre is among
the numerous Alberta physicians who approach the marijuana issue with caution.

Cervantes isn't convinced about the supposed relief marijuana is said to
offer patients in pain.

While medical marijuana crusaders raise their arms in celebration,
believing the federal government's change of heart to be a foot in the
door, Cervantes is concerned there are too many unaddressed issues
surrounding the marijuana debate.

"These new regulations will have a negative affect on health care," he said
from his office Friday.

As a for-instance, Cervantes is concerned that marijuana, even though taken
legally by prescription, will join alcohol as a killer on the roadways.

"We already know the use of alcohol is related to car accidents. We could
probably suspect the same thing of marijuana.

"Even the use of small amounts of marijuana can produce severe impairments
in judgments. This is a very dangerous drug", he says.

Cervantes, in fact, is concerned that Health Canada has approved marijuana
without sufficient testing.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons hasn't approved the use of
marijuana, and the Alberta Medical Association has gone on record as being
opposed to the medical use of marijuana under Health Canada's regulations.

With more than 400 compounds present in marijuana, the potential for
physical harm is great. Any one of those compounds can potentially harm a
patient, he contends.

"There are many issues that need to be explored on how marijuana affects
the heart, lungs," and other organs of the body, Cervantes says.

"All drugs need to be tested and proven safe, but not enough is known about
marijuana. And the fact the government bypassed this system sets a
dangerous precedent."

He also contends it is not fair that doctors have been set up to be the
policy makers for the use of marijuana.

So far close to 300 people across Canada have been approved to receive pot
under the new federal government's controversial medicinal marijuana
project. More than 500 await a decision on their application.

According to Health Canada, applicants for medical marijuana must fall
within one of three categories.

The first is for people expected to die of terminal illnesses within 12 months.

The second is for persons with MS, AIDS, cancer, severe forms of arthritis,
epilepsy and spinal cord injuries and diseases.

The third category applies to people with other serious medical conditions.
All applicants must provide medical declarations from physicians.