OTTAWA - Medical marijuana users say Ottawa is trying to take away their "God-given right" to grow cannabis to relieve pain symptoms.

Groups opposed to the federal government's new medical-marijuana regulations, which go into effect today, are protesting on Parliament Hill.

The demonstration comes one day after Ottawa said it would challenge a Federal Court injunction that allows medical users to continue growing their own pot pending a constitutional challenge of the new rules.

The new regulations require marijuana users to receive their supply from commercial growers, and also limit the amount that individuals are allowed to possess.

Critics say the new rules will simply make it harder for them to access a drug many of them insist they can't live without.

Alison Myrden, who suffers from chronic progressive multiple sclerosis, says she relies on medical pot every single day.