THE GRASS ISN'T ALWAYS GREENER

IN A recent article, Davis Sheremata writes: "Canuck growers just cannot
guarantee the consistent marijuana quality (Allan) Rock's department needs,
Health Canada said." I would like to point out that the research-grade
marijuana grown by the U.S. is alleged to be of poor quality.

I recall reading an article in Canada's Cannabis Culture magazine where
Elvy Mussika, one of eight U.S. patients receiving cannabis to relieve her
glaucoma symptoms, stated that she still purchases street cannabis because
the drug content is higher and she doesn't have to smoke as much to get the
same relief.

In the same issue, I also read that the U.S. government uses only leaves
and not buds in its pre-rolled medical cigarettes. If this is true, they
are either ignorant about the more potent buds or it demonstrates the
indifference they show to the health of the patients receiving their
low-grade medicine.

Personally, I think the only thing keeping Health Canada from using
high-potency cannabis is they fear it legitimizes the activity of outlaws.
But if one takes the smoke damage fears of the U.S. Institute of Medicine
report seriously, they should work toward developing their own source of
potent cannabis so users wouldn't have to inhale any more than necessary.

Chris Joseph

(Anecdotal evidence doesn't always a strong case make.)