MEDICAL POT USER FRUSTRATED BY FEDERAL DELAYS

GUELPH - It has been a stressful eight months for Jeff McKay as he
waits for a Health Canada permit allowing him to possess and use an
additional seven grams of marijuana to alleviate symptoms of HIV and
Hepatitis C.

The 37-year-old Guelph man currently holds a Health Canada permit
allowing him to possess three grams of marijuana per day, which he
takes to improve his appetite that he says has been drastically
affected by his HIV treatment.

"Everything is riding on the balance of possessing that card," McKay
said. Following a doctor's appointment in February, with a
recommendation that he increase his daily intake of marijuana, McKay
sent out his Health Canada application.

He is still waiting for his new permit.

Health Canada spokesperson Christelle Legault wrote in an email that
there has been a temporary delay in processing applications because of
"a sharp rise" in applications received in recent months.

She says new applications jumped from 253 in June 2009 to 515 this
past June. This doesn't include applications for renewals and
amendments to permits.

"Applications respecting symptoms treated within the context of
compassionate end-of-life care are treated immediately upon receipt,"
Legault wrote.

She wrote that Health Canada is working to return to a processing time
of eight to 10 weeks.

Scott Gilbert, a Guelph resident who is authorized to cultivate for
two medical marijuana users, including McKay, says any other
prescription can be obtained through a local pharmacy within hours.

Gilbert said it takes four months to harvest a marijuana plant, which
would mean McKay will have waited at least a year before he gets his
medicine, Gilbert said.

McKay said he has lost 35 pounds in the past few months because of his
poor appetite. He also finds he is more stressed and doesn't sleep as
much.

"It is tearing up my life, waiting for this card," he
said.

McKay has called Health Canada at least 15 times in the last few
months and has not been guaranteed a date for his permit's arrival.

Guelph MP Frank Valeriote said Health Canada hasn't specified when it
will be able to shorten it processing times.

"Our concern is that there are people who risk being criminalized ...
because of the failure of the government to provide adequate
resources," he said.

Legault wrote in her email that possession and/or production of
marijuana for medical purposes is only permitted with a valid licence.

Valeriote said Guelph police informed him that officers will ensure
people have begun the proper paperwork to renew licences before they
consider laying any charges.

Valeriote said he will raise the matter with his party's health
critic.