GROUPS SUGGEST OFFERING MARIJUANA IN PHARMACIES

Medicinal marijuana may soon be available in pharmacies, according to
proposals being examined by a variety of special interest groups in
consultation with Health Canada

Officials from Health Canada yesterday met with pharmacists, medical
experts, police and medicinal cannabis users to discuss access to medicinal
marijuana.

"If you wanted the biggest patient concern, it's to be able to get a safe,
affordable supply of medicinal marijuana. That's what we need," said Greg
Robinson, who uses marijuana to alleviate HIV/AIDS symptoms of nausea and
lack of appetite.

Ray Joubert of the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacies said that there was
broad support for bringing marijuana into pharmacies.

Richard Viau, an official with Health Canada's controlled-substances
program, said the department has wrapped up a series of consultations on
the issue and he expects recommendations to be before cabinet by the end of
this summer.

After that, a pilot project to distribute marijuana through pharmacies
could begin.

However, Mr. Viau noted that any larger implementation could take time
because the provinces are responsible for health care.

"If the pilot proved to be successful, then the provinces and territories
would have to look at it and modify their legislation," he said.

Mr. Viau said that as of early February, there were 710 medicinal marijuana
users in Canada. Many of these are cancer and HIV/AIDS patients, who use
the drug to alleviate nausea, pain and lack of appetite.

Other issues discussed yesterday included eliminating the red tape
restricting patients' access to marijuana and disclosing medicinal
marijuana users to police.

"Grow operations are becoming a serious concern," said Halifax police
Deputy Chief Chris McNeil, who chairs the Canadian Association of Chiefs of
Police drug abuse committee. "Why not put something in place where, if
we're about to search a place, we could verify a legal activity rather than
risk entering a house by force."

Deputy Chief McNeil said he agreed with patients such as Mr. Robinson, who
supports pharmacy distribution which would allow patients "to avoid having
to obtain access through an illegal source which brings with it all its
inherent dangers."