TORONTO MAN AMONG FIRST APPROVED FOR MEDICINAL POT

TORONTO - 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 got a
call Monday saying his two 30-gram bags of marijuana had been couriered.
Thirty grams is about one ounce.

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. 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 weed. He is one of six people
expected to receive the drug from doctors for the time being. Health Canada
is currently looking over 14 more applications, said spokeswoman Jirina Vlk.

The marijuana comes from a lab in Flin Flon, Man., where it is being grown
by Prairie Plant Systems under contract to Ottawa. Each 30-gram pack costs
$150 -- about $100 cheaper than street prices -- and is subject to
provincial and federal sales tax.

Dvorak, who has been smoking pot to cope with his illness for seven years,
said it gives him peace of mind to know he now has easier access to the
drug. "I don't want to be a criminal when I'm buying the medication from
dealers," he said.

Critics have frequently questioned Health Minister Anne McLellan's
commitment to the medical marijuana program set up by her predecessor Allan
Rock.

McLellan has said she doesn't believe Health Canada should be in the
business of distributing cannabis, and has indicated that will end if her
ministry wins its appeal of an Ontario ruling currently before the courts.
A decision is not expected until September at the earliest, said defence
lawyer Alan Young.