ALLAN ROCK RECEIVES MARIJUANA IN THE MAIL

Health Minister Allan Rock has been receiving samples of homegrown Canadian
marijuana through the mail as Canadians, obviously interested in becoming
the official government supplier of medicinal marijuana, try to interest
him in their brand of dope.

Indeed, his correspondence has expanded from letters and e-mails to include
these unusual free samples. His office would not say who they are from and
whether the drugs are arriving rolled or in loose form; so far he has
received four packages, which have been disposed of by the police. "Well,
you know, we're looking for a new source of supply. And I get these letters
from all over the country offering services, and some of them send
samples," said Mr. Rock during a 30-minute interview last week with Matt
Mauler and Jake Daniels of Edmonton's CFBR-FM radio.

The incredulous hosts said: "Get out!"

Replied Mr. Rock: "No, I'm serious. People have sent samples. Absolutely.
And people are so aggressive they want to grow this stuff for the
government of Canada"

With his tongue firmly in his cheek, he added: "It used to be when I'd
check into a hotel, you know, I get to the room and there'd be a basket of
fruit there. Now, I turn up (and there are) four potted plants and a CD."

Mr. Rock is to announce soon -- which in government parlance could mean
before Christmas -- how the government will supply marijuana for medical or
therapeutic use. It has not been decided whether a private company or a
government agency will supply the drug.

Mr. Rock has granted almost 20 Canadians exemptions that enables them to
smoke dope without penalty. These people are sick and dying, usually of
cancer or AIDS, and symptoms from other treatments such as nausea caused by
chemotherapy is relieved by smoking.

Mr. Rock, however, has stated he wants a homegrown solution. He told his
radio hosts: "I insist we have a Canadian source. I mean, come on! Are we a
country or not?" And he joked that there could be "national unity
implications" to this issue. "I see a real struggle coming between Alberta
and B.C. I've got problems. I got problems, I tell you."

He said that the B.C. growers have guaranteed 30-per-cent levels of THC --
the active ingredient in marijuana -- while the Alberta growers are saying
their product is "truer" and has a "better consistent quality."

"So I think the scientists with Health are going to have a hard time. Many
late nights, many late nights."