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Going To Pot

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By: Mirella Fernandaz, City Pulse News, 08/26/03

Link to story page: http://www.pulse24.com/News/Top_Story/20030826-012/page.asp

Three years ago the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled that Ottawa should supply marijuana to those who need it for medical reasons. On Tuesday, the first batch of government grown bud was being smoked.

Jari Dvorak is one of only about 500 Canadians whom Health Canada has approved to use the drug for health reasons. Dvorak is H.I.V.-Positive and lights up to ease nausea and stimulate his appetite. He tested out the product on Tuesday after picking up a month's supply from his doctor's office.

The weed may be grown and supplied by the government, but it's not paid for by them. Ottawa's strains are going for $150 an ounce --- about half of the street price for a similar amount. And although Jari says the street pot is stronger than the weed grown in the underground lab in Flin Flon, Manitoba, the government's stash still does the trick. Most of all, he's glad he doesn't have to buy on the street any more.

“I feel it's demeaning,” he said. “It's a medication that's helping me. I feel every time I have to go to the black market that I'm breaking the law and I don't like it. I think it's wrong.”

“I think it's a great day for Canada,” he added. “A lot of people have awareness that marijuana is medication. I'm happy about that.”