LETTER FROM MCLELLAN

Re: Medical Marijuana Plan Still on Track, Health Minister Says, Aug. 27.

The government of Canada has not backed away from its medical marijuana
program, as earlier reports suggested. If we were doing so, I can assure
you that we would not be spending the time, energy and money that we are on
moving ahead with the program, and with significant stakeholder
involvement. This includes the establishment of the Stakeholder Advisory
Committee on Marijuana for Medical Purposes, expected to meet for the first
time in October, 2002.

I know that many Canadians suffering from terminal or grave illnesses
strongly and genuinely believe, with the support of their physicians, that
smoking marijuana helps them live more comfortably and in less pain. In my
role as Health Minister, I must balance those beliefs with the need to
carry out research into the safety and effectiveness of marijuana as a
medicine.

That is why our policy has two components. The first is the Marihuana
Medical Access Regulations (MMAR) which allows people with authorizations
to possess and cultivate marijuana for medical purposes. At present over
800 people in Canada are permitted by Health Canada to possess marijuana
for medical purposes. The MMAR remains in effect and people continue to apply.

The second component of our approach is research. These are two parallel
tracks.

Unlike heroin and morphine products, marijuana is not approved as a
medicine in any country in the world. Marijuana cannot be approved in
Canada without scientific evidence proving its benefits and defining its
risks. At present, while there are anecdotal reports of the value of smoked
marijuana, the scientific studies about its safety and effectiveness are
inconclusive.

Conducting research will allow us to better understand whether and for
which medical conditions marijuana is an effective medicine, and better
understand the risks in relation to those benefits.

Health Canada continues to pursue the research plan initiated in 1999. This
will include broad-based clinical trials (which will accommodate large
numbers of participants) and controlled clinical trials (involving smaller
groups of patients). These clinical trials will use research grade
marijuana, including that produced for Health Canada by Prairie Plant Systems.

It is our hope that these clinical trials will include many of the people
permitted by Health Canada to possess marijuana for medical purposes.

People who do not participate in this research can continue to apply for a
license to cultivate marijuana or for a designate to cultivate it for them,
under the existing regulations.

Let me reassure all Canadians that the federal government remains committed
to our medical marijuana program. This program takes a compassionate
approach to Canadians who suffer from serious medical conditions while, at
the same time, pursuing a sound research agenda.

A. Anne McLellan; Minister of Health, Ottawa.