OTTAWA HAS SEED OF DOUBT ABOUT HEMP-OIL SUPPLEMENT

Health Canada Probing Low-Potency Pill Marketed By Marijuana Party Member

Truro - Health Canada is investigating a Bedford company headed up by a key
member of the Marijuana Party of Canada that is soliciting dealers for a
food supplement made out of marijuana seeds.

Michael Patriquen of Med Marijuana Inc. said his company is absolutely
within the law to seek out potential marijuana "dealers" for a gel capsule
containing oil from the pressed seeds of the cannabis sativa plant, more
commonly known as marijuana.

But a spokesman for Health Canada in Ottawa said Wednesday that the sale,
distribution and possession of all forms of cannabis and cannabis oil,
regardless of its potency, is prohibited under the Controlled Drugs and
Substances Act.

The investigation is to determine what category the product falls into, how
it's being marketed and what federal regulations come into play, Andrew
Swift said.

"From Health Canada's perspective, the sale or distribution of a product
making medical claims must comply with pre-market regulations," Mr. Swift said.

Although the product's label describes it as a food supplement, brochures
and Med Marijuana's Web site suggest the oil acts as a blood thinner that
may prevent blood clots, which lead to heart attacks. Moreover, it is said
to possibly prevent stroke and lower blood pressure, among other claims.

Mr. Swift said if the company promotes the capsule as a drug, it must have
a drug identification number, which it doesn't.

Mr. Patriquen suggests the product falls under soon-to-be-legislated rules
governing neutriceuticals like vitamins and herbs.

Moreover, he contends 1998 industrial hemp regulations allow the production
of cannabis oil under 10 parts per million.

Drug enforcement officers in Halifax would neither confirm nor deny an
investigation into the company and its product is underway.

Mr. Patriquen is to appear in court later this year on a number of
drug-related charges unconnected with his company.

He faces charges of conspiracy to possess marijuana for the purpose of
trafficking and conspiracy to produce.

He and his wife, Melanie Stephen, also face charges of possessing homes and
money bought with the proceeds of crime. They are to appear on those
charges later this year.

During a seminar at a Truro hotel Tuesday night, Ms. Stephen told a small
gathering she believes marijuana is God's gift to the world.

The Beatles' refrain about getting high with a little help from their
friends could be heard in the background before Ms. Stephen went to the podium.

"If we had all been gathered here four years ago, we'd all be arrested and
thrown in jail," Ms. Stephen told the group that gathered to hear about
legal marijuana dealing.

"This product is as legal as Corn Flakes for distribution," she said.

A Justice Department official recommended anyone considering dealing in the
product should first consult a lawyer. As well, Health Canada suggests
consulting a lawyer prior to taking the product.