MCLELLAN WRONG TO CONDONE POT SMOKING

In the news release announcing the provision of marijuana for medical
purposes, Health Minister Anne McLellan admits the effectiveness of
marijuana therapy is unknown but fails to mention that adverse health
effects of marijuana smoke inhalation have been demonstrated already.

The smoke contains many of the same respiratory irritants and carcinogens
found in tobacco smoke -- many in higher concentrations.

Will marijuana smokers be warned of both the known harmful effects and the
risk of further harmful effects that continue to be found as research
progresses? Will Health Canada be liable for lung damage that will be
caused by breathing marijuana smoke, whether directly or second-hand?

The Lung Association has seen all too many cases of lung disease caused by
tobacco and is working hard to reduce the carnage through denormalization
of tobacco use.

It is ironic that although McLellan claims to have taken this step for
compassionate reasons, she has begun the process of normalization of
marijuana smoking, which has an incredible potential for damage to the
respiratory health of Canadians.

For those who can only achieve pain relief from marijuana use, alternative
pharmacological preparations of cannabis, which do not inflict lung damage,
which have been duly proven to be safe and effective, and which are
approved for medical use by prescription, could be used.

The Lung Association regards marijuana smoking as a public health hazard.
Health Canada should not be supplying marijuana in a form that will be
inhaled into the lungs with dirty, irritating, toxic, carcinogenic smoke.
The minister of health should never condone smoking of any substance.

Dr. Brian Graham

President and CEO

Lung Association of Saskatchewan