Double-talk on weed
This is an article from Canada's National Post and the followup in the letters section. They are printed together to give an ACCURATE view, something newspapers can't do.
National Post - Wednesday, August 21, 2002
We never thought we'd say this, but we're beginning to miss Allan Rock as federal health minister. In general, he didn't do much with the job, but at least he pushed the medicinal marijuana file forward. Under Mr. Rock's tenure, the health department developed rules that allow sufferers of certain medical conditions to grow and smoke their own pot. His department also hired a firm to produce marijuana cigarettes for delivery to hundreds of sick Canadians.
But Anne McLellan, his successor, is dragging her feet. Speaking at a meeting of the Canadian Medical Association on Monday, she said Ottawa will not distribute marijuana for medicinal purposes until clinical trials are completed. (Yesterday, she claimed her comments did not signify a change in government policy. But how can that be? The clinical trials she speaks of as a precondition have yet to begin, and will likely take years to complete.)
Ms. McLellan is reportedly apprehensive that any move to make marijuana available would antagonize the Americans. She also argued on Monday that abetting marijuana use might put the Health Department in an "ironic" position -- because it would conflict with her campaign to fight tobacco.
Two points are in order: First, there is no "irony" in letting sick people use marijuana even as we discourage others from taking up nicotine. Medicinal marijuana can help alleviate the nausea associated with AIDS wasting syndrome and chemotherapy, as well as the symptoms of glaucoma and epilepsy. If Ms. McLellan has data that show tobacco, which kills 70,000 Canadians every year, has similar benefits, she should take it to the New England Journal of Medicine. Otherwise, spare us the misleading comparisons.
Second, why is Ms. McLellan afraid of bucking the United States in its disastrous war on drugs? The feds keep telling us they don't want to send Canadian soldiers to Iraq. Why would we split with Uncle Sam on a quick war he'll win, yet play sidekick in a decades-long conflict we know he'll lose?
© Copyright 2002 National Post
Letters - National Post
Thursday, August 29, 2002
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.