Health Canada Will Select Official Supplier Soon Allan Rock, the federal Minister of Health, says, "The day may come when marijuana is available on pharmacists' shelves." OTTAWA - A government-controlled supply of marijuana will be grown and federal regulations governing medicinal use will be made into law within a year, according to Allan Rock, the Minister of Health. "The day may come when marijuana is available on pharmacists' shelves," predicted Mr. Rock in an interview. Health Canada will select an official marijuana supplier over the next month or two and the supply will be available depending on "how long after that it will take them to produce the first crop, dry it, cut it, and [laughs] ... roll it," he said. While the department develops its supply, Mr. Rock has appealed to police to "use discretion" when dealing with people who supply marijuana to medical users. Mr. Rock is also eager for a Cabinet discussion decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana, he said. But the debate must be launched by Anne McLellan, the Minister of Justice. "There's no doubt that it's something she and I should talk about. And Cabinet would probably want to be involved in the decision. But we look to the Minister of Justice to take the lead in relation to the question of whether any offence should be added to the Contraventions Act," said Mr. Rock. "I'd be happy to participate fully in a vigorous Cabinet discussion on that issue -- whenever she brings that to the table," he said. The Contraventions Act is a federal statute that lists provincial and federal offences that are dealt with by tickets and fines, rather than criminal charges. "Think of the difference between being charged with speeding, or being charged with dangerous driving," said Mr. Rock. "The issue is should the possession of small amounts of marijuana be subject to a ticketable offence rather than criminal charges? "We're watching an evolution here from complete prohibition," he said. "Maybe someday [recreational users] will be given a ticket." |
