HIGH TIME FOR POT STUDY

Surely, it's the height of arrogance for society to deny help to a
chronically sick or terminally ill person, even if that help is found
in an otherwise illegal substance like marijuana.

For that reason, the Chretien government's decision to launch clinical
trials to determine whether pot really does provide relief to people
suffering from AIDS, multiple sclerosis and a host of other ailments
is long overdue.

But giving ill people access to an otherwise illegal product is easier
in theory than in practice.

After all, there has never been a clinical study on the merits of
using booze for medicinal purposes.

What if there was?

Would we, based on the results of such a study, consider making
alcohol accessible to minors who suffer horrendous
afflictions?

Probably not.

There are just too many public prohibitions surrounding the issue of
alcohol and minors to let medical issues prevail.

Health Minister Allan Rock will therefore have to walk a minefield of
tricky issues before ever giving its blessing to the medicinal use of
marijuana.

First, clinical trials may or may not match anecdotal evidence that
has already accumulated from ill people who find marijuana gives them
a measure of relief from their pain and, in some instances, boosts
appetites for people otherwise unable to eat.

But even if tests fail to make the medical case for dispensing pot, it
won't stop its use by people who are convinced otherwise and who are
prepared to run afoul of the criminal code to gain continued access to
the drug.

If clinical trials find merit in dispensing the drug, who will
qualify?

How will it be dispensed?

How will the government ensure a safe and sufficient supply of a drug
that is otherwise illegal to grow and possess in this country?

Will it be left to any doctor to decide the merits of dispensing
pot?

If so, will it be handled by pharmacies or street corner
dealers?

Will patients be licensed to grow pot for their own use even though
their neighbour would be thrown in jail for doing the same thing?

The historic importance of the government's decision to study and
possibly approve the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes is that
it may be the first step in erasing the public stigma surrounding pot,
something that may eventually lead to its broader legalization.

Perhaps Rock should expand the clinical trials beyond the health
benefits of pot to include research on the health hazards for
otherwise healthy Canadians.

After all, if the government is prepared to revisit pot laws as they
affect ill people, maybe it's time to revisit the case for continuing
to make it illegal for everybody else.

If the government insists on continuing to put people in jail for
marijuana, the least it can do is back it up with sound medical evidence.

Here's the chance to do it.