POT-SHOTS TAKEN AT DRUG

Doctors Worried About How To Prescribe

Weeding out doctors who'll prescribe medical marijuana could be difficult
for the terminally ill and those with chronic pain when federal rules
around the drug's use come into effect Monday.

Alberta Medical Association president Dr. Clayne Steed has written a letter
to federal Health Minister Allan Rock expressing concerns over the drug --
and urged members at the same time to think twice about prescribing it.

"Physicians are being asked to authorize the use of a drug about which we
don't know the benefits, the risks, the side-effects, the dosage or even
the potency that's available," said Steed.

"That's not in the best interest of patient safety."

Steed said this is the first time doctors have been asked to OK a drug
without comprehensive tests to ensure its effectiveness and safety -- and
clear research suggesting what ailments it works for.

The Canadian Medical Association has already voiced its worries to Rock,
said president Dr. Peter Barrett, including the possibility some will seek
the drug for recreational use.

LACKS GUIDELINES

"Doctors have always been concerned about drug shoppers, but at least we
had guidelines. We're going to be in that position now without guidelines,"
he said.

And Barrett said that could create tension with patients wondering why
their doctors won't prescribe marijuana.

"It's going to create some problems with the doctor-patient relationship."

Barrett expects some doctors who've been "agitating" for medical
marijuana's acceptance will prescribe, but the majority won't because they
don't even know how much to prescribe -- or how patients should take it.

Grant Krieger, a Calgary medical marijuana crusader, is also upset there
hasn't been the research to distinguish which kinds of marijuana plants,
cultivated in which ways, work best for certain illnesses.

So, he's applying to the government to be able to run experiments himself
on the leaf.

But his new Grant Krieger Cannabis Research Foundation is raising doctors'
eyebrows, said the AMA, including one who'd been asked to complete a form
from the foundation, rather than the government form.

But Krieger questions the government program -- saying the concentrations
of THC aren't high enough to relieve pain.

"It's the best muscle relaxant I've come across, especially when I ingest
it orally in butter on my food," said Krieger.