PATIENTS CRITICIZE CANADIAN MARIJUANA

OTTAWA - Some of the first patients to smoke Canada's government- approved
marijuana say it is ``disgusting'' and they want their money back.

Health Canada, the federal health department, started selling marijuana in July
to bring relief to patients suffering from AIDS, cancer and other diseases. The
move followed a court order that patients should not be forced to get their
marijuana from drug dealers.

But some of the first to buy the government's marijuana say it is no good.

``It's totally unsuitable for human consumption,'' said Jim Wakeford, 58, an
AIDS patient in Gibsons, British Columbia.

Wakeford and Barrie Dalley, a 52-year-old Toronto man who uses marijuana to
combat the nausea associated with AIDS, are returning their 1-ounce bags, and
Dalley is demanding a refund - about $195 plus taxes. Wakeford is returning his
unpaid bill for two bags with a written complaint.

The marijuana is being grown for Health Canada deep underground in a vacant
mine section in Flin Flon, Manitoba, by Prairie Plant Systems on a contract
worth about $7.5 million.

Ten patients have registered with Health Canada to buy marijuana directly from
the government to alleviate their medical symptoms. Another 39 applications are
pending.

No patients have complained directly to Health Canada so far, spokeswoman
Krista Apse said, and the department will not accept returns or provide
refunds.