REEFER REMEDY

Battle For Medical Exemption to Smoke Marijuana Drags On

Viktor Jukna has one thing to show for his three-year battle with the
federal government to get a medical exemption to smoke marijuana -- grey
hair.

The Wilno resident has suffered from a degenerative disc disease since a
work-related injury 10 years ago. The disease causes severe neurological
pain, which triggers spasms, leaving him unable to work.

Jukna has always smoked marijuana recreationally, but didn't discover its
medicinal benefits until five years after being injured.

"One day it just sort of happened," said the 46-year-old. "I was feeling
pretty bad so I started puffing away at it and I realized that after a while
. the pain was no longer as bad."

The marijuana worked as a muscle relaxant, decreasing the frequency and
intensity of the spasms.

HELPED QUITE A BIT

Although marijuana doesn't completely eliminate the pain, it has allowed
Jukna to stop taking the multiple painkillers he used to require to get
through the day.

"The combination of smoking and lifestyle changes helped quite a bit," he
said.

So three years ago, when he found out he could apply for a medical exemption
to smoke pot, Jukna was more than willing to fill out the two-page
application.

But Health Canada informed him the application had been changed and he had
to reapply. Unlike the first set of forms, which only required his doctor's
signature, the new documents needed to be signed by his doctor and a
specialist confirming the diagnosis.

Despite his efforts, Jukna has unable to find a specialist willing to sign.
He attributes his difficulties to some doctors not wanting to be affiliated
with the controversial issue and its potential repercussions.

His situation worsened when he was arrested in April 2002 for possession of
marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and other drug charges. The court
case is in its preliminary stages and the details are protected by a
publication ban. In his latest attempt to receive an exemption, Jukna must
fill out a more-than-20-page form and get his doctor and two specialists to
sign.

"The government has been baiting and switching," he said. "They turn around
and say 'yes, it's available,' but when you try to get it they make you jump
through hoops."

Renfrew County marijuana activist Rick Reimer suffers from multiple
sclerosis and has had a medical exemption to smoke pot since March 2000.
However, the retired lawyer said he constantly has to fight to retain his
status. His exemption is required to be renewed on a six-month basis because
he doesn't meet the government's guidelines.