USERS SPURN GOVERNMENT WEED CROP

OTTAWA -- Some patients are spurning a new batch of
government-certified marijuana, dismissing Health Canada claims that
it's a stronger, better quality smoke. "It's no good," Marco Renda,
45, said yesterday from his home in Dundalk, Ont. "I took two puffs
and I put it out.

"It had a chemical taste to it. It didn't taste right to me and it
didn't burn properly. It had no effect."

Prairie Plant Systems, which produces medical marijuana on contract
for Health Canada, began shipping a second batch of its product on May
21.

Users complained the first harvest was too dry and powdery, and lacked
potency, despite claims of a THC level of 10.2%. THC is the primary
active ingredient in marijuana.

Health Canada says the new batch is 12% THC, has fewer leaves and
twigs and more flowering tops, making it a purer smoke.

"Informally, I've been told ... that the feedback (on the second
batch) has been positive overall," said Catherine Saunders,
spokeswoman for Health Canada.