TORONTO, Aug. 11 /CNW/ - For the first time in the conference's history, an exhibit on the therapeutic use of marijuana (cannabis) is being offered at the XVI International AIDS Conference this week in Toronto. This initiative acknowledges that for many people living with HIV/AIDS, cannabis is an important part of their medical therapy. The Cannabis and HIV/AIDS exhibit will be located in the Global Village. The exhibit offers people living with HIV/AIDS, caregivers, front line workers and clinicians with current clinical evidence, information on legal access, and practical tips on the use of cannabis as a medicine. The Canadian AIDS Society (CAS) and the Medical Marijuana Information Resource Centre (MMIRC) are co-hosting the exhibit. The MMIRC is sponsored by Cannasat Therapeutics Inc. The co-hosting organizations both believe that people living with HIV/AIDS who use cannabis as a medicine should have legal access and be educated on current scientific information that enables them to make informed choices.

Canada is a world leader in progressive policy on access to medical cannabis. People living with HIV/AIDS who use cannabis as a medicine must be informed of their right to do so legally. This right is granted under the federal Marihuana Medical Access Regulations (MMAR). The Cannabis as Therapy for People Living with HIV/AIDS: "Our Right, Our Choice" report, released by the Canadian AIDS Society in June 2006, identifies barriers to legal access of medical cannabis and proposes recommendations to address these barriers. Increasing awareness about the program and the need for physician education are high on the recommendation list. "Our consultation with people living with HIV/AIDS across Canada revealed that only one quarter of those who use cannabis as part of their therapy had obtained legal authorization to do so," says Lynne Belle-Isle, project consultant with Canadian AIDS Society. "The vast majority of people living with HIV/AIDS who use cannabis as therapy are still relying on illegal sources, exposing them to the inherent risks of dealing with the black market."

"We are providing people and their caregivers with a source of current clinical evidence on the therapeutic use of cannabis as we feel education of the international HIV/AIDS community on this topic is critical," says Hilary Black, spokesperson for MMIRC. "We are proud to show Canada's progress in becoming a global leader in this important frontier of medicine." The Cannabis and HIV/AIDS exhibit is part of the Global Village, North Building Halls A & B at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, from August 13-18 and is open to the public.

About the Canadian AIDS Society The Canadian AIDS Society is a national coalition of over 125 community-based AIDS organizations from across Canada. Dedicated to strengthening the response to HIV/AIDS across all sectors of society, we also work to enrich the lives of people and communities living with HIV/AIDS.

About the Medical Marijuana Information and Resource Centre (MMIRC) The Medical Marijuana Information Resource Centre is established to provide patients, caregivers, and clinicians with a source of scientific and current information about the use of marijuana (cannabis) as a medicine.The MMIRC is sponsored by Cannasat Therapeutics Inc.

For further information: please contact: Hilary Black, Director Communications, Medical Marijuana Information Resource Centre, Tel: (416) 703-2449 ext 245, Cell: (647) 887-3760, hilary@medicalmarijunainformation.com; Holly Wagg, Director of Marketing and Communications, Canadian AIDS Society, Tel: (613) 230-3580 ext 125, Cell: (613) 875-3580,
hollyw@cdnaids.ca