Canada first country to allow medicinal use of marijuana

by Michael Erskine
OTTAWA---Cartoonists, comedians and front porch commentators have had a field day with the recent announcement by the Ministry of Health of new guidelines for the medical use of marijuana. Although the announcement makes Canada the first industrialized country in the world to legalize pot for the relief of pain and suffering due to a wide range of ailments, the decision to allow its use has more to do with politics than medicine, according to local doctors and the countries medical associations. The speed with which the government has moved to legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes has eclipsed the normal process for vetting a drug for use by humans, according to local Medical Association President Dr. Steven Cooper. "It is a bit bizarre actually," said Dr. Cooper. "Basically there is a medicine out there, without the proper clinical trials, about which we really know very little regarding side effects and its interactions with other medicines." "It's hard, you can't prescribe it in the normal way, it is more of an alternate medicine that doesn't fit in with our traditional methods," he said. Although marijuana is available in tablet form, it has not been as effective as traditional treatment methods. Dr. Cooper surmised that by smoking the drug it is delivered to the bloodstream much faster than by tablet, and that may play a part in the efficacy of the medicine. But, Dr. Cooper noted that the delivery mechanism, smoking the drug and holding the smoke in the lungs, "is a very odd delivery mechanism indeed." He pointed out that modern medicine has a wide range of inhalers that could deliver the drug as quickly, but that the process has not been perfected regarding marijuana yet. Although generally regarded as benign, especially by the people who utilize marijuana as a recreational drug, Dr. Cooper as a medical professional has a different perspective. "It effects people in a different way. People have different reactions. I have seen people have a 'bad trip' on marijuana," he said. "In addition to a shortage of information on the short term effects and interactions of marijuana, the question of long term effects is very poorly understood. We just don't know. It is a very unusual way to bring a drug to market." Dr. Cooper also stated his concerns that the question of addiction has not been dealt with satisfactorily. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) do not have a policy or position on the use of marijuana as such. "Our position is that we abide by the rules of the land. We don't really have a position, we look at the legislation put out by the government and we figure out how we are going to implement it," said Inspector Allan Hugh of the Corporate Communications Office at the provincial headquarters of the OPP in Orillia. The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) does have a position however, and they "stand firm in opposition to the legalization of any type of current illicit drug, which includes marijuana or its derivatives," according to their published 1999 drug policy. "As to the medicinal use of marijuana and any and all current illicit drugs, the OCAP, as with all Canadians, are concerned with the potential hazards, the health care costs, safe storage, misuse, and a host of other issues," said the written policy, which goes on to express confidence in Health Canada scientists and federal legislators to take action in the best interest of all Canadians. The OACP has not yet released a position on the current changes in marijuana's status. Although he has not yet been approached personally to prescribe medical pot, Dr. Cooper knows of a number of his colleagues on Manitoulin Island who have. "The drug does present a great deal of difficulty in how you approach prescribing the medication. Without clinical trials or documentation, it places doctors in a very uncomfortable position. Basically if you have an ailment that is listed under the regulations, and you have a history of using the drug and found it tobe useful, then a physician would consider it as part of the treatment, but it is a very odd way to work and I think just about everyone, as medical professionals, are uncomfortable with it," he said. The change in status for the medicinal use of marijuana was the result of a 1997 lower court decision in the case of Terrance Parker who uses marijuana to help control his epilepsy. The court decided, and was upheld on appeal on July 31, 2000, that the laws outlawing medicinal use were unconstitutional and that there were serious flaws to the exemptions granted under section 56 of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). The court decided that the laws were invalid and of no force and effect, but gave a one year suspension to the decision to avoid leaving a gap in the regulatory scheme. Under the new regulations, a permit to possess and/or grow marijuana for medical purposes will be allowed under a permit from Health Canada. The categories include: Category 1, for patients with a terminal illness with a prognosis of death within 12 months. This category is perceived to be less of a concern because long-term effects are not an issue. Category 2, is for patients who suffer from specific symptoms associated with some serious medical conditions, for example weight loss caused by HIV/AIDS or persistent spasms from the effects of Multiple Sclerosis. Specific statements from a medical practitioner and the support of medical specialists are required in this category and other treatments will have to be shown to be medically appropriate for the reasons outlined in the Regulations. Category 3 is for patients who have symptoms associated with medical conditions other than those in the other two categories. Two medical specialist recommendations are required under this category due to less conclusive scientific evidence to support its use in this role, again, conventional therapies must have been used or considered and not found appropriate. A list of therapies tried must be submitted with this category. For all three categories, the authorization to possess marijuana for a medical purpose will specify a minimum quantity of marijuana equal to a 30-day treatment supply at any given time, and there are additional limits and controls if the amount exceeds five grams per day. Licenses to grow marijuana for personal medical use will require, in addition to possession eligibility requirements, that a person be ordinarily a resident in Canada and be of 18 years of age. Complaints abound in the media about the slowness and difficulty of making the new rules work. Marijuana from Prairie Plant Systems of Flin Flon Manitoba's underground pot farm, the only current licensed producer will not be available until December, and at five to six percent THC canibinols (the active ingredient in marijuana) it will be much less potent than the street level 20 percent, raising concerns about added danger from inhalation and the questions about cost. A daily dose of five to seven grams would cost up to $21. from the authorized source, but the more potent and readily available street product would likely cost in excess of $70. for the same dosage. A number of discreet organizations, such as Toronto's Compassion Centre, have been supplying people with the requisite documentation with a current source of the medicine. The current situation creates a gross irony, where people are legally able to use the medication and yet must go to illegal sources in order to secure an adequate supply. It is unlikely that drug dealers will give a medical receipt or that insurers would be likely to honour such a receipt under any drug plan. Canada is the first western country to allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

Native consultations Federal government backs off on consultation process

by Michael Erskine
OTTAWA---The threat of a summer of protest, with road closures by the First Nations hampering travel across the country at the height of tourist season, was averted by a joint decision to declare a 30-day 'cooling off' period. Robert Nault, minister of Indian Affairs and Grand Chief Matthew Coon Come, made the joint announcement of the cooling off period after a July 31 meeting in Hull, Quebec. The announcement of the suspension of the controversial Indian Act reform consultations came after Chief Coon Come threatened to blockade roads and highways across the country. First Nation leaders have said that while they agree the Indian Act must be reformed, and even that they agree with most of the proposed changes, they have been angered and insulted by the consultation process instituted by Minister Nault, which sought to by-pass the elected leaders of the First Nation communities and deal directly with the Anishnaabe people. "The National Assembly saw a lot of anger over the process," said Whitefish Nation Chief Leona Nahwegahbow. "The First Nations across the country were prepared to support Chief Coon Come." Chief Nahwegahbow said that she and her council were prepared to do their part in the protest called by Chief Coon Come. "It would have happened, we were prepared to do our share," she said. Although the Whitefish First Nation, which straddles Highway 6 leading to Manitoulin Island from the north, was prepared to take action in concert with the other First Nations across the country, Chief Nahwegahbow expressed some relief over the decision to hold a cooling off period. "It was the least that we could have hoped for," she said. "The consultation and reforms that were proposed by the Minister were not adequate." Chief Glen Hare echoed Chief Nahwegahbow's sentiments. "I am glad at the turn of events. I don't think anyone wants to see business disruptions," he said. Chief Hare was adamant that the Chiefs would insist on being part of the consultation process. "Communications is the big one, we want to be part of the Indian Act changes," he said. "Whatever they come up with, we want to be at the table. We have a lot to say about the Act." Nancy Pine, Minister Nault's press secretary, downplayed concerns over the threat of Native protests, focusing instead on the agreement between the First Nations and the Ministry of Indian Affairs to put off any actions or consultations until a joint workplan was established. "They will be deciding on how the two groups could work together on this process," she said. "In the next 10 days we will be meeting to establish a workplan." Minister Nault spoke on the matter during a media scrum after the announcement, "The consultation process will continue. But we have agreed, for the sake of our relationship, and to give time for the plan to be put together that we'll have a 30 day cooling off period. So everyone is going to cool down for 30 days, take a bit of a break, relax a bit," he said. "And you guys can take a bit of a break, relax a little bit, you guys can enjoy yourself, get on to some other files," said Minister Nault, suggesting that the media also relax their scrutiny of the threatened blockades. The announcement also came after it became clear that the consultation process was not receiving significant support from the First Nations people it was meant to reach. Questioned on the lackluster response to his consultation process, Minister Nault said, "Some days you get good turnouts and some days you don't. I think the importance of this process and the interest I have in working with the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) and with the National Chief and his vice-chiefs is that we want to have First Nations citizens engaged in giving us good advice." Local First Nations leaders have said that most of the concerns that the proposed changes would address have already been dealt with by reforms already instituted by their communities. "We have been doing the things they are suggesting for the past 15 years," said Sucker Creek First Nation Chief Patrick Madahbee. "Our community has already instituted electoral reform, membership codes and we consult with our members regularly." "Nobody likes to have things rammed down their throat," said Chief Madahbee. "The government has not been acting sensibly." Chief Madahbee said that most of the reforms were aimed at abuses that occurred on a handful of reserves in the west. "They try to punish everyone for the acts of a few," he said. As to the consultation process the Minister was attempting to institute, Chief Madahbee was adamant. "It wasn't going to happen," he said. "I wouldn't have allowed their representatives onto our land." "The whole process was flawed. They were proposing to consult people over the Internet. Well, how many of our people are actually connected to the net in such a way as to make them comfortable using it like that? I think it is time for them to maybe wake up and smell the coffee." The AFN and the Ministry of Indian Affairs are going to try to come up with a consultation workplan that will allow the reform process, a process that both sides agree must go forward, to proceed in a manner that maintains the dignity and legitimacy of the First Nations leadership and that will provide a solid base of legitimacy for changes that will effect all First Nations peoples. "We are the ones who will be living under it after all, and we have been working on the reforms ourselves for a lot of years now," said Chief Hare. "We will be at the table."

Mail-in voting on councils agenda

Tom Sasvari
The Recorder
SPRING BAY - Mail-in voting for elections will once again be on the agenda of Central Manitoulin Township Council. The issue was raised at a town hall meeting of local residents and township council, last week in Spring Bay. Mike Tilston questioned whether council had investigated how other municipalities handled their elections and if they took advantage of mail-in voting. "I called Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands to investigate the mail-in voting they had. They had a 20 per cent increase in the percentage of voters by having mail-in," stated councillor Derek Stephens. "I'm interested in mail-in voting. It is an alternative way for summer residents to add their voice to local politics and they have the right to vote," said Mr. Stephens. He proposed this should be an issue asked of residents as to whether they are in favour or against mail-in voting, on tax bills. It was pointed out that non-permanent residents of the township can go through proxy voting as well. One permanent resident, who spends time in Florida every year, pointed out it is usually at the same time municipal elections are held, and he is not able to take part in the voting for council. "I understand that in this type of case if you want to vote in the municipal election you have to get someone you can trust to vote for you. They have this vote and hopefully mark an x by the candidate you wish to see elected," said Mr. Tilston. He is in favour of a mail-in voting process, because "it is fair, and there are more seasonal residents than permanent residents in two wards of the township. Mail-in voting provides a more fair way of voting, in a democracy." Alternate forms of voting procedures can include phone, scan ballots, touch screens, and mail-in voting, said Mr. Tilston. Just on costs alone he said the township could afford the mail-in or phone in voting system, however mail-in voting seems to be more acceptable to voters, he said. Mary Nelder, township reeve explained that two elections ago the province of Ontario changed the elections act to allow for other forms of voting to take place. A small number of municipalities at that time went in favour of mail-in voting. "There was mixed reviews as to how effective mail-in voting was. The real crux of the issue w