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Pot sales by Ottawa lauded - The decision to sell to medicinal users complies with a court order being appealed.

By: Elaine Smith, London Free Press, 07/10/03

The federal government's decision to sell marijuana and seeds to medicinal users is a good one, says a volunteer for London's medical marijuana club. "Our main objective is to get medicinal marijuana to the people who need it," said Rob, an HIV sufferer who is the London Compassion Centre's client co-ordinator. He asked that his last name not be used.

"If somebody else does it, more power to them, and if the government does it, even better."

The government will sell marijuana and seeds to sick people and their suppliers to fulfil a court order for it to provide medical pot by July 9.

The announcement of the interim measure satisfies an Ontario court order while the federal government appeals the ruling.

Under the program, eligible patients can buy just over an ounce of dried marijuana for $112, well below street prices, about once a month. Authorized growers can buy packs of 30 seeds once a year for $15.

The prices are comparable to those offered to members of London's Compassion Centre who come seeking medical marijuana, said Rob.

"Wow, that's a good deal."

The London medical marijuana club has a few hundred members who are issued centre membership cards after a lengthy application process that includes a physician's letter. Only 20 to 30 are active members.

"We have members with recognized illnesses such as cancer, HIV/AIDS and glaucoma, and others with ailments whose doctors think they would benefit from medical marijuana," he said.

Rob is not concerned the government will horn in on the London club's business. "We don't make a profit," he said. "We help them access medicinal marijuana. We find them plain, good medical marijuana, not just something you buy off the street.

"If the end result is medical marijuana for people, my job is done." Medical marijuana users complain the Canadian system has been a bureaucratic maze intended to stifle the issue. While hundreds have received federal exemptions to grow and possess marijuana, others complain about the difficulty of getting doctors to approve requests.

That's where the London Compassion Centre may be helpful, Rob said. The bottom line is that if someone's doctors recommends medical marijuana use, the club provides access.

"It's not a call anybody but physicians can make about their patients," he said. "It's not up to bureaucrats in government or in medical marijuana clubs to decide.

"I don't think it's the big, bad thing everyone wanted it to be," Rob added. "The people I deal with are really, truly using it for what it's meant to be used for. I won't say they don't enjoy it, but their reasons are above board and honest."