LET THE PHARMACIES DISPENSE POT

Re: Nine charged in raid on medical pot outlet, April 3

The recent raid on CALM, the medical marijuana compassion club, has
created concern among both the legtimate users of the drug and the
operators of the club. But this situation need never have arisen.

Every day, pharmacies dispense drugs, including narcotics, which, in
the absence of a prescription, would be illegal to possess. What,
then, is so special about marijuana that it cannot be dealt with in
the same manner? To be sure, there have to be controls on the potency
and purity of the substance; but that requirement is no different
from controls on other medicines. Certainly, major pharmaceutical
companies could be trusted to produce a quality product.

And even if the government chose to be the sole producer of medical
marijuana, why could it not then distribute it to pharmacies, which
would place their orders on the basis of prescriptions and permits
presented to them?

If medical marijuana were treated like any other prescription
medication, these compassion clubs would not even be necessary.

Ronald Weir, Thornhill