POT REGULATIONS A FAILURE

To the editor:

The plight of Herbert Wilson is a glowing example of the Health Canada's
Medical Marijuana Access Regulations' abysmal failure at meeting the needs
of Canadians with incurable diseases and conditions (Former Peacekeeper
Fights Cannabis Rap, The Daily News, July 17).

Wilson's family doctor is hesitant to support medical marijuana use, thanks
to the overcautionary, unfounded warnings issued by the Canadian Medical
Association and the Canadian Medical Protective Association. However,
according to the medical-marijuana regulations, degenerative-disc disease
qualifies as a category 3 condition, requiring two relevant specialists to
support an application for an exemption. Wilson has waited six months of
the 29-month waiting period to see the specialists. If successful in his
bid to obtain support, he will wait then wait an additional six to eight
months for Health Canada to process his application.

Gimme a break. Over three years for an ill person to weave his way through
Health Canada's obstacle course and our ailing healthcare system to use a
medication that he required yesterday? Now, Herbert is being prosecuted for
taking his health into his own hands.

The only criminal element in the story is that the same government that
decorated Wilson for his dedicated service is now failing him miserably
when he needs it the most.

Debbie Stultz-Giffin

Bridgetown