CANADIANS UNHAPPY ABOUT POT ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT

OTTAWA (AP) Some of the first patients to smoke Canada's
government-approved marijuana say it is "disgusting" and they want their
money back.

Health Canada, the federal health department, started selling marijuana in
July to bring relief to patients suffering from AIDS, cancer and other
diseases. The move followed a court order that patients should not be
forced to get their marijuana from drug dealers on the streets.

But some of the first to buy the government's marijuana say it is no good.

"It's totally unsuitable for human consumption," said Jim Wakeford, 58, an
AIDS patient in Gibsons, British Columbia.

Wakeford and Barrie Dalley, a 52-year-old Toronto man who uses marijuana to
combat the nausea associated with AIDS, are returning their 1-ounce
(30-gram) bags, and Dalley is demanding his money back _ about C$150
(US$110) plus taxes. Wakeford is returning his unpaid bill for two bags
with a written complaint.

The marijuana is being grown for Health Canada deep underground in a vacant
mine section in Flin Flon, Manitoba, by Prairie Plant Systems on a contract
worth about C$5.75 million (US$4.2 million).

Ten patients have registered with Health Canada to buy marijuana directly
from the government to alleviate their medical symptoms. Another 39
applications are pending.

No patients have complained directly to Health Canada so far, spokeswoman
Krista Apse said, and the department will not accept returns or provide
refunds.