THE WHOLE STORY

Bureaucracy is infamous for dragging its feet, but clinical trials to
determine marijuana's value in relieving severe chronic pain have
been almost forever in the making.

Individuals such as multiple sclerosis patient Grant Krieger have
been using pot to help them cope with their pain for years. But at
the same time, they have been forced to do battle with the law along
with their affliction.

The announcement that year-long Health Canada trials involving
patients in the worst kinds of pain will start in January is welcome,
albeit long overdue.

Debilitating pain leaves patients with little or no quality of life.
Krieger credits marijuana with helping him go from being bedridden
and helpless to climbing a small hill at Banff and enjoying a picnic
with his family.

Up to now, the evidence that marijuana is an effective painkiller has
been purely anecdotal.

The clinical trails will settle the question once and for all.