PRESCRIPTION POT IS HERE

T.O. Man Among First To Light Up

An HIV-infected Toronto man, who is among the first of about 500 Canadians
legally approved for medicinal marijuana, took his first toke of
government-grown weed after picking it up from his doctor yesterday. "I'd
give it a five on a scale from one to 10," said Jari Dvorak, who received a
call Monday saying his two 30-gram bags of marijuana had been couriered and
were ready to smoke.

Despite the mediocre review, he said it was a significant day for medicinal
marijuana users nationwide.

"It's a happy moment for a lot of sick people in Canada," he said. "We
should rejoice. This is the beginning of something Canada can be proud of."

Dvorak, who says marijuana helps him combat nausea, applied to Health
Canada a month ago for access to government-grown weed.

He is one of only six people expected to receive the drug from doctors for
now. Health Canada is currently looking over 14 more applications, said
spokesman Jirina Vlk.

The marijuana, sealed in glossy, golden packages emblazoned with a red
Maple Leaf, comes from an underground lab in Flin Flon, Man., where it is
being grown by Prairie Plant Systems under contract to the federal government.

Each 30-gram pack costs $150 -- about $100 cheaper than street prices --
and is subject to provincial and federal sales tax.