HEALTH CANADA WEEDING OUT MEDICAL MARIJUANA DEBTORS

Like any dope dealer, Health Canada has its share of marijuana
customers who just don't pay their bills.

But unlike street pushers, the department avoids tire irons and
switchblades to recover its debts in favour of stern letters and
collection agencies.

As of last month, 127 people authorized to buy government-certified
marijuana for various medical problems were officially in arrears,
with bills unpaid for more than 90 days.

Altogether, patients in arrears now owe $168,879 to Health Canada for
medical marijuana.

One medical marijuana user and activist slammed the Health Department
for requiring patients to buy the product. "Most of us are on full
disability for life. It's a choice between marijuana or food," said
Alison Myrden of Burlington, Ont., who has lived with multiple
sclerosis for more than a decade.