CANADIANS PAN GOVERNMENT-BACKED MARIJUANA

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 bags, and Dalley is demanding his money back
about $195 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 $7.5 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.

Meanwhile, Vancouver inaugurated North America's first
government-authorized drug-injection site Monday. The controversial
government-funded project will give users injection kits and allow
them to shoot up under nurse supervision.

Drug users sometimes use dirty needles and water from puddles to shoot
up. Now, addicts wanting to use the new facility will be ushered into
a brightly lit room lined on one side by open, mirrored booths where
they can inject drugs.

After finishing, they will be taken to a "chill-out room," where they
can receive counseling and peer referrals.