including the perception Health Canada marijuana is "not as potent" as that produced and grown by patients or their suppliers.

Completed by Montreal-based Les Études de marché Créatec, the study found physicians were unclear about Health Canada's maximum dosage recommendation, stating "not one participant was able to guess the maximum level." For most doctors, the report said, overdose was not a concern or even a consideration.

The study found unanimous agreement and even "enthusiastic support" among doctors for Health Canada to begin supplying dried marijuana to pharmacists trained to dispense it to patients, although they suggested the quality be improved and the price be reduced while insuring that medical insurance programs cover the cost.

The reporting of the so-called trend follows Health Canada's campaign last summer to keep doses below five grams, which included postings on its website referring to studies which indicated most medical users need only one to three grams daily.