QUEBEC COMPANY WANTS TO FILL VOID IN MEDICAL MARIJUANA SUPPLY

MONTREAL -- A small Quebec company believes the government isn't doing
enough to provide patients with access to medical marijuana, and says it
has the equipment to help.

Frederick Robson, vice-president of Hydro Medic, says his company's
equipment could provide another option for those who have the right to use
medical marijuana, but can't legally obtain it.

Robson says the refrigerator-sized hydroponic machine can produce
three-quarters of a kilogram of marijuana in eight weeks. It is equipped
with fluorescent lights, water drawers and fertilizer pellets.

"Right now the only way of getting medical marijuana is growing your own or
having a designated grower do it for you," said Robson.

Plants grown by the government-approved research company produced plants
with differing potencies and couldn't be used for clinical trials.

A spokesperson for Health Canada says researchers are growing more, but
Andrew Swift says medical marijuana will only be provided to people
involved in the new studies.

"It's a process that needs to take place. We have to make sure that when it
comes to a product that's going to be used in scientific research it has to
be of a standard quality and strength," said Swift.

Health Canada hasn't evaluated Hydro Medic's pot growing system. They say
it's not within their jurisdiction.

Equipment A Good Idea, Says Marijuana Party

The leader of the federal Marijuana Party thinks it's a good option for
people who want medical marijuana, but don't want to break the law. But
Marc-Boris St. Maurice says it doesn't solve all legal and logistical problems.

"A lot of people don't have the time. There's also the issue of where we
are going to get seeds or clones or the prime material, and that still
involves the criminal element," said St. Maurice.

He says the $4,500 cost of the machine is also prohibitive.

St. Maurice believes the federal government should help foot the bill,
because it hasn't done enough to give medical users access to legal marijuana.

The RCMP won't comment on Hydro Medic's marijuana growing unit, but says it
will continue to enforce current drug laws.