News (Media Awareness Project) - US ON: Lowdown On Flin Flon's Mine-Grown Marijuana |
| Title: | US ON: Lowdown On Flin Flon's Mine-Grown Marijuana |
| Published On: | 2003-04-21 |
| Source: | Winnipeg Sun (CN MB) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-20 19:34:56 |
LOWDOWN ON FLIN FLON'S MINE-GROWN MARIJUANA
Facts and figures about government-certified marijuana grown in Flin Flon:
Purpose -- Health Canada wants standardized supply for accredited
researchers to determine whether the substance has health benefits.
Contract -- In December 2000, Prairie Plant Systems Inc. of Saskatoon
awarded a five-year, $5.75-million contract to grow marijuana for Health
Canada in an abandoned mine section in Flin Flon. The Trout Lake mine, owned
by Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Co., is still active, producing zinc and
copper.
Source -- Prairie Plant Systems originally to obtain quality seeds from the
National Institute on Drug Abuse in Bethesda, Md. Delays forced them instead
to use more than 10,000 seeds seized by various police forces across Canada.
Only a third produced plants.
First crop -- First crop of 74 kg delivered December 2001 had 185 varieties,
with broad range of quality. Two best strains later picked for their
hardiness and potency. Another strain held in reserve.
Second crop -- Second crop of 244 kg delivered in December 2002, based on
planted cuttings from the two best strains to ensure genetic consistency.
Crop fell short of the 370 kg required.
Tests -- Laboratory tests show one strain contains 20% to 25% THC, the most
active ingredient, while the other has 13% to 18%. But the more potent
strain is anemic and may be abandoned. There is a seasonal variation in the
THC content, even though the crop is produced far underground.
Processing and storage -- Dried crop stored at Flin Flon to be bagged in
30-gram foil packs and labelled as necessary. No plans at present to produce
rolled marijuana cigarettes.
Current trials -- The Community Research Initiative of Toronto is testing
the effect of marijuana on the appetites of AIDS patients. A group at McGill
University in Montreal is testing the effects of smoked marijuana on
neuropathic pain. Health Canada provides funding but not the marijuana,
which currently comes from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Future trials -- Health Canada is awaiting approval of proposed research
projects before distributing its own marijuana.
Facts and figures about government-certified marijuana grown in Flin Flon:
Purpose -- Health Canada wants standardized supply for accredited
researchers to determine whether the substance has health benefits.
Contract -- In December 2000, Prairie Plant Systems Inc. of Saskatoon
awarded a five-year, $5.75-million contract to grow marijuana for Health
Canada in an abandoned mine section in Flin Flon. The Trout Lake mine, owned
by Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Co., is still active, producing zinc and
copper.
Source -- Prairie Plant Systems originally to obtain quality seeds from the
National Institute on Drug Abuse in Bethesda, Md. Delays forced them instead
to use more than 10,000 seeds seized by various police forces across Canada.
Only a third produced plants.
First crop -- First crop of 74 kg delivered December 2001 had 185 varieties,
with broad range of quality. Two best strains later picked for their
hardiness and potency. Another strain held in reserve.
Second crop -- Second crop of 244 kg delivered in December 2002, based on
planted cuttings from the two best strains to ensure genetic consistency.
Crop fell short of the 370 kg required.
Tests -- Laboratory tests show one strain contains 20% to 25% THC, the most
active ingredient, while the other has 13% to 18%. But the more potent
strain is anemic and may be abandoned. There is a seasonal variation in the
THC content, even though the crop is produced far underground.
Processing and storage -- Dried crop stored at Flin Flon to be bagged in
30-gram foil packs and labelled as necessary. No plans at present to produce
rolled marijuana cigarettes.
Current trials -- The Community Research Initiative of Toronto is testing
the effect of marijuana on the appetites of AIDS patients. A group at McGill
University in Montreal is testing the effects of smoked marijuana on
neuropathic pain. Health Canada provides funding but not the marijuana,
which currently comes from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Future trials -- Health Canada is awaiting approval of proposed research
projects before distributing its own marijuana.
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