GRASS IS GREENER AT HEALTH MINISTRY

Marijuana Samples Swamp Minister

Federal Health Minister Allan Rock says some pot growers are so keen to get
a contract to supply medicinal marijuana they're sending samples to his
hotel room.

"It used to be when I went to a hotel room there'd be a basket of flowers -
now I find four potted plants," he quipped during an interview with radio
show hosts Jake Daniels and Matt Mauler on The Bear's drive-time radio show
yesterday. Rock said samples are also being sent to his Ottawa office.

"They want to grow this stuff for the Government of Canada." And Rock held
out hope for Canadian cannibis growers.

"I'm going to insist on a Canadian source. Are we a country or not?" he asked.

In June, Health Canada asked for tenders to supply marijuana for clinical
tests on its medicinal properties when smoked.

Mauler said he was delighted the minister bought into the spirit of the
program. "We asked him the fun questions and he was very into it.

"He had the chance to speak tongue-in-cheek in the sort of way you'd be
crucified for if you did on the National.

"I think it's important to show that there is more to a politician than the
usual 10-second soundbite we usually get, and they are not all the same."

Rock was in Edmonton to announce a $2.6-million cash infusion to help
at-risk mothers in Alberta.