COMPASSION CLUBS SAY MEDICAL MARIJUANA USERS WILL TURN TO STREET DEALERS

VANCOUVER - Members of the country's largest compassion club say comments
by the federal health minister have effectively ended Ottawa's medical
marijuana program.

Initially, people who use medical marijuana were hopeful that their supply
would come from a government-managed growing program in Flin Flon.

But earlier in the week, Health Minister Anne McLellan said the issues
surrounding medicinal pot make her feel some "discomfort."

She says clinical trials must be conducted before any government-approved
pot is released. That process could take years.

That worries people who say they need the drug.

Dave Biggs, who visits the Vancouver compassion club for marijuana
treatment, says he's concerned about the supply of marijuana for other
patients. Vancouver police often turn a blind eye to pot distribution there.

The manager of the club, Rheal Capler, says while patients can still get
permits from Health Canada, it will be tough to get a doctor's approval.

"In effect, the regulations are less accessible than they were before,"
said Capler.

Phillipe Lucas, in charge of Victoria's compassion club, agrees. He says
the federal medicinal marijuana program is effectively over.

"Now that there's no supply at the end of the line, that all you're going
to get with going through with this process is a piece of paper. I think
people who are seriously ill are going to have to consider their options,"
said Lucas.

He says more sick people will turn to street dealers, even though they know
it's against the law.