MEDICINAL POT USE LEGAL - WITH APPROVAL

People suffering from severe medical conditions can now apply to legally
grow and smoke pot.

"People need it," said Winnipegger Brian Childs, who suffers from multiple
sclerosis and smokes marijuana to prevent cramps which affect his walking
and sleep patterns.

New regulations allowing people suffering from terminal illnesses and
chronic conditions to smoke marijuana came into effect yesterday. Childs
believes the new law will help people but wonders where patients will get
the marijuana and how much it will cost.

Under the new rules, Health Canada says people approved to possess and
smoke marijuana can grow it themselves or have a designated person grow it
for them.

The government has commissioned Prairie Plant Systems Inc. to grow
marijuana plants in an underground mine in Flin Flon, but the harvest won't
likely be available until later this year.

The decision to allow medical marijuana has drawn flak from health-care
providers who are worried doctors will be flooded with applications from
people who don't really need marijuana.

The Canadian Medical Association has taken the stand that not enough is
known about marijuana's long-term health effects. There is evidence
long-term use could cause lung disease and heart damage.

Opposes Law

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba is also against the new law.

About 300 Canadians are already exempt from laws which make it a criminal
offence to grow and possess marijuana, and it is predicted thousands of
people could be added to the list.

The new regulations permit marijuana possession for terminally ill patients
with a prognosis of death within 12 months; patients with symptoms
associated with multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury and disease, cancer,
HIV/AIDS, severe arthritis and epilepsy; and patients with other serious
medical conditions where conventional treatments have failed to work.

Childs will apply in September to be allowed to smoke pot legally, but it
won't make much difference, he said.

"I haven't needed a licence in 30 years, why would I need one now?" he said.