MEDICAL DOPE 'DISGUSTING'

Some of the first handful of patients to smoke Canadian government-approved
marijuana say it is disgusting, and want their money back.

Canada's federal health department, Health Canada, started selling
marijuana in July, to bring relief to patients suffering from AIDS, cancer,
and other diseases.

This followed a court order that patients should not be forced to buy their
marijuana from drug dealers.

But some of the first to buy the government's marijuana said it was no good.

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

Mr Wakeford and Barrie Dalley, a 52-year-old Toronto man who used marijuana
to combat nausea associated with AIDS, said they planned to return their 30
gram bags.

Mr Dalley said he would demand his money back - about C$150 ($166) plus
taxes - and Mr Wakeford said he would return his unpaid bill for two bags
with a written complaint.

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

Ten patients had registered with Health Canada to buy marijuana directly
from the Government to alleviate their medical symptoms. Another 39
applications were pending.

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

Meanwhile, Vancouver opened North America's first government-authorised
drug-injection site yesterday. The controversial government-funded project
would 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.
Addicts wanting to use the centre would be ushered into a brightly lit room
lined on one side by open, mirrored booths where they could inject.

After finishing, they would be taken to a so-called chill-out room, where
they could receive counselling and peer referrals.