Pubdate: Fri, 02 Apr 2004 Source: Province, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 The Province Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476 Author: Brenda Osmond Cited: College of Pharmacists of British Columbia http://www.bcpharmacists.org/ WE AGREE CANNABIS IS MEDICINAL, WE ARGUE OVER WHO WILL DOLE IT OUT Last year, the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia surveyed B.C. pharmacists to determine the level of support for providing patients with medical marijuana. More than 80 per cent of the respondents agreed patients should have access to standardized medical marijuana through pharmacies. Pharmacists are not being "forced" into this program, as Susan Martinuk asserts. Pharmacists will not provide "unregulated, unprescribed marijuana." The product will be standardized, reliable and the treating physician will be involved in the authorization process. A program providing medical marijuana through pharmacies will help patients and health professional make more informed decisions about the role of marijuana in treating patients. Dr. Brenda Osmond, director, College of Pharmacists - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake