Party Representing Quebec
Demands Debate On Medical Marijuana
In Canadian Parliament – Major Escalation
From the Ottawa Citizen
(Ed. note: The contrast between the newspapers in the US and
Canadian capitals could not be greater. The Washington Post rarely deviates from the DEA
party line, and the Washington Times is owned by Reverend Moon, who at least has some
principles. The "Bloc Quebecois" is the political party supporting independence
for Quebec and as such it carries even greater weight. Canadian Premier Jean Chretien is
from Quebec, but is not a member of the Bloc Quebecois. On a personal note, I am proud to
say my maternal grandfather was a Quebecois.)
March 24, 1998 By Stephen Bindman
letters@thecitizen.southam.ca
The Bloc Quebecois wants a full parliamentary debate on the legalization of marijuana
for medicinal purposes.
MP Bernard Biras presented a motion yesterday in the Commons calling on the Liberal government to take "all necessary measures" to
decriminalize marijuana for therapeutic reasons.
Mr. Bigras said it’s time for the government to stop studying the issue and come
up with a clear position.
Doctors, criminologists, the terminally ill and the
media—but not the elected representatives in the Commons—have all begun to
debate legalization, he complained.
"It is unacceptable that terminally ill people are paying the price for the lack
of political courage of this government," the 29-year-old Rosemont MP told a press
conference. "Legislators have shown a total lack of comprehension and compassion
towards the chronically ill who aspire to nothing but to live with dignity. The situation
is urgent because every day of suffering counts for these people."
A Reform MP has already introduced a similar private-member’s motion asking that
MPs debate the issue.
Last year, an Ontario court ruled a Toronto man suffering from severe epilepsy has a
constitutional right to cultivate, possess and smoke pot to alleviate his symptoms. The
federal government is appealing that ruling but similar constitutional challenges are
under way in courts across Canada.
See The Lancet reports on the
Terry Parker case."Canadian Judge Allows Marijuana as Therapy"
Justice Minister Anne McLellan said yesterday she has sympathy
for people who believe marijuana can alleviate their suffering, but she would not say when
a study by officials in her department and Health Canada will be completed. Until it is,
she said, Canada’s drug laws will be enforced.
See
The
Canadian Government Does Masterful Job of Ducking Medical Marijuana Questions in the House
of Commons
Advocates of the medicinal use of marijuana contend it promotes appetite and suppresses
nausea, making it a potential lifesaver for cancer or battling the wasting syndrome caused
by AIDS.
An Angus Reid poll last year found 83 per cent of respondents supported the
legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
"Buyers’ clubs" have popped up across Canada for patients whose doctors
advise them to smoke marijuana.
See London
Ontario Woman With MS Plans to Open Buyers Club In Defiance of Prohibitionist Mayor
and Toronto
Medical Marijuana Club Defying Law; Seven Similar Clubs To Open Across Southern Ontario.
The Bloc’s motion was strongly endorsed by Ottawa physician Don Kilby, who has
applied to Health Canada for a special permit to supply a patient with marijuana to help
relieve some of his AIDS symptoms.
Supported