MEDICAL MARIJUANA POLICY FLOUTS THE LAW AND COMMON SENSE

Re: Dosanjh should do the decent thing, Aug. 16.

Health Canada has knowingly chosen to ignore the Ontario Court of
Appeal decision that would allow medical-marijuana users to have an
alternative supply of cannabis to the poor-quality, potentially
dangerous Prairie Plant Systems product.

Although the federal PPS-grown cannabis has been returned by nearly a
third of users who have tried it due to its incredibly poor quality,
Health Canada continues to support its indefensible near-monopoly on
cannabis production and research by restricting almost all licensed
growers other than PPS to supplying marijuana to only one licensed
user.

Not only does this near-monopoly add to the suffering of those who
could benefit from the use of strong, safe cannabis, it also
criminalizes those who seek to help critically and chronically ill
Canadians ease their suffering.

The Citizen reported that Smiths Falls police raided the headquarters
of Carasel Harvest Supply Corp. This is the second medical-cannabis
production facility to be raided in Canada over the last few months.
In May, the Vancouver Island Therapeutic Cannabis Research Institute
was raided by the RCMP. It was the sole supplier of cannabis to the
Vancouver Island Compassion Society, which is helping 400 Canadians
who have doctors' recommendations for cannabis.

The VICS is at the forefront of international research into the
effects of smoked cannabis -- all at no cost to the Canadian taxpayer.
As a result of the RCMP raid, the members of the Compassion Society
have to rely on the black market for their medicine, and much-needed
research into the safety and effectiveness of medicinal cannabis has
been seriously delayed.

And all for what? So that Health Canada can keep throwing taxpayer
money down a mineshaft in Flin Flon, Man. in support of an
indefensible, insensible monopoly. This is absolutely unacceptable and
shows contempt for the courts, the Constitution, Canada's critically
and chronically ill, and taxpayers. What will it take for Health
Canada and the federal Liberals to finally have to account for this
expensive, ineffectual and uncompassionate program?

Philippe Lucas,

Victoria,

Founding director, Vancouver Island Compassion Society, Canadians for
Safe Access