CAN'T WAIT ANY LONGER

Dear Editor:

As Health Canada continues to drag its feet on the medical marijuana
issue, I read again where distribution is being delayed (once more)
due to "testing," "shipping" or the UN convention.

People who have received permission to possess their medicine have
already gone through countless hoops for Health Canada approval, as
well as waiting up to one year to find out whether or not they qualify
for the exemption.

I understand that this is a relatively new area being explored by
Health Canada, but the meaning of compassion has been lost in the
politics. What do these and others do to obtain their medicine? They
either go without or are forced to buy it off the street or - if you
are lucky enough - a Compassion Club.

The exemptees and others who need their medicine cannot wait any
longer. If the government cannot figure out what they are going to do,
please let the people in the Compassion Clubs and communities help
themselves without threat of prosecution. We are not criminals - we
are people, families and responsible adults, like most people, seeking
relief from our misfortune.

We appreciate the government's efforts, but if they cannot deliver, I
believe this should be left in the hands of the people who live this
way every day. At least let us help build an effective and
satisfactory solution.

John Cook, Harrietsfield