'MORE RISK THAN BENEFIT'

RE: 'Medicinal marijuana becomes legal' (July 28). Thirty years and more
now, during The Age of Aquarius, the products of the plant, cannabis
sativa, were first widely introduced into North American society.

"Guilty until proven innocent" was the title of a position paper on their
use taken by the secondary school principals of P.E.I. at the time.

On Monday, "regulations on marijuana for medicinal use" took effect without
the clinical knowledge required with prescription drugs, although studies
are now under way.

"Unfortunately, the government has decided to go ahead to appease a few
lobby groups" was the reaction of Dr. Raju Hajela, past president of The
Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine. It is calling for more clinical
research because "there is more risk than benefit."

Hajela, an assistant professor at Queen's University in Kingston, added:
"The courts can't be deciding how doctors should be practising medicine;
... that's what is essentially happening here."

And no MP on either side of the House of Commons is championing the
opinions of those into whose hands we entrust our well-being.

Sad. And only in Canada.

- -- Joe Hueglin, Niagara Falls.