FEDS SET TO ROLL OUT MARIJUANA MANUAL

Health Canada is set to release a user's manual this week for a drug
it has long opposed: Marijuana.

The unprecedented move has been triggered by the courts, which
compelled Health Canada this month to begin distributing
government-certified marijuana to patients who take the substance to
alleviate symptoms.

The department must also release a manual on how to use its dope --
but a draft version of the document shows patients will get little
advice about ingesting marijuana and lots of warnings against using
it.

"Administration by smoking is not recommended," says the 59-page
document.

"Marijuana can produce physical and psychological dependence and has
the potential for abuse."

The draft document, obtained under the Access to Information Act,
warns that smoking marijuana can be more dangerous to the lungs than
tobacco, but provides patients no practical alternatives.

POT NOT FOR KIDS

"We're not recommending, in fact, that marijuana be used," said
Suzanne Desjardins, a Health Canada scientist who helped produce the
manual.

The manual advises against administering marijuana to children up to
16 years of age or to those 65 or older because "the potential for
harm is likely to outweigh benefits." Nursing and pregnant women are
also urged to steer clear of pot.

Those who do choose to use are warned that "smoking should be gentle
and should cease if the patient begins to feel disoriented or agitated
.. naive smokers should take great care and be supervised."

The document warns of potential panic attacks, psychosis and
convulsions.

"If disturbing psychiatric symptoms occur at the prescribed dosage,
the patient should be closely observed in a quiet environment and
supportive mea sures, including reassurance, should be used."

Apart from brief sections citing studies on taking marijuana orally --
baked in a chocolate cookie, for example -- or rectally as a
suppository, the manual offers no techniques to avoid smoking.

The government-certified marijuana will cost $5 a gram, much less than
on the street.