FRUSTRATED TORONTO MD QUITS MEDICAL MARIJUANA COMMITTEE

Claims Group's Advice Is Ignored

Minister 'is not compassionate'

A Toronto doctor living with AIDS has quit a federal advisory group on
medical marijuana in frustration, saying it's now clear to him Health
Minister Anne McLellan doesn't want to provide pot to those who need it.

"We have a minister that is not compassionate," Dr. Gregory Robinson said
yesterday. "I definitely feel that this portfolio she wishes would just --
poof -- go away."

Robinson said he decided there was no point taking part in an advisory
group whose advice was being ignored after McLellan announced plans to
deliver marijuana to patients through doctors' offices, despite staunch
opposition from the Canadian Medical Association (CMA).

"Doctors aren't going to distribute from their offices," he said. "I went
to my doctor last week. He won't do it."

Robinson, who now smokes one or two joints a day before eating, first tried
pot a few years ago after losing 30 pounds in one month because of problems
related to HIV. He said it's the only thing that gives him a desire to eat.

In his letter announcing his resignation from the Stakeholder Advisory
Committee on Medical Marijuana, Robinson told McLellan he has lost faith in
her "ability to understand compassion for seriously and chronically ill
patients."

"As an AIDS patient, each moment is valued so much at this time in my life.
My continuing commitment to the advisory committee would only be a waste of
my time and advice," he wrote.

Robinson is also angry that federal officials last month cancelled funding
for clinical trials by the Community Research Initiatives of Toronto --
forcing the organization to close its doors.

"A stated government goal that is constantly coming out of the minister's
mouth and Health Canada is: We would like clinical research on medical
marijuana to show us the efficacy of the drug. Right now we have no
scientific information.

"Now, when you shut a clinical trial down, is that not inconsistent?" said
Robinson, who has stopped working because of his illness.

In an interview yesterday, McLellan refused to say why her department
suspended funding for the clinical trials in Toronto, which were to look at
whether pot could alleviate nausea and weight loss in AIDS patients.

"The program is being audited. It will not be renewed," she said, adding
that other clinical trials could begin this fall.

Derek Thaczuk, who was chair of the Toronto research group's scientific
committee, said Health Canada suspended funding after a disagreement over
how long the trials should take. His group said it needed 18 months to
enrol patients and get them through the study, while federal officials
wanted it done in 12 months.

"If their concern was the amount of time, this certainly isn't going to
make it move any faster," said Thaczuk. "I cannot help but wonder about
political pressure, possibly from the United States. ... The evidence is
piling up until I'm drowning in it that there is just not the will to do this."

It's clear McLellan is far less enthusiastic about the medical marijuana
program than former health minister Allan Rock, who was responsible for
setting it up.

She stressed that studies are needed to establish proof of the benefits of
smoking marijuana and look at possible adverse effects -- but declined to
criticize her cabinet colleague for going ahead without that.

"I am not going to question that. I'm not going to second guess that. My
obligation as the minister of health is to now ensure that the clinical
trials are now carried out."

If that research finds no proof of medicinal benefits, the whole program
will be cancelled, McLellan said from New York, where she'd signed a global
treaty on tobacco control.

The minister reluctantly announced plans last week for the federal
government to supply marijuana to chronically ill patients, using
physicians as intermediaries to provide the drug to their patients.

The CMA has long argued that there should be more scientific proof of
marijuana's benefits and possible side effects before it is used in
treatment. The group has condemned the drug distribution policy, saying
doctors may face violence or break-ins by people looking for pot.

The government has said the plan is only an "interim policy" while it
appeals a court ruling forcing it to provide the drug. A judge had ruled it
was unconstitutional to have a federal program allowing sick people to
smoke marijuana, but then force them to turn to illegal street sources for
the drug.

McLellan scoffed at the doctors' concerns about break-ins. "Honestly, do
you think anyone is going to break into a doctor's office ... when, whether
one likes it or not, you can probably find it on the street?" she said.