Pubdate: Wed, 04 Apr 2001
Source: Wall Street Journal (US)
Copyright: 2001 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.wsj.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/487
Note: Written by a Wall Street Journal Staff Reporter

CANADIAN LEGISLATION WOULD LEGALIZE GROWING MARIJUANA FOR MEDICINAL USE

Canada's federal government is expected to introduce legislation this week 
that will make it legal for third parties to cultivate and supply marijuana 
to seriously ill people.

Under the new legislation, people afflicted with major illnesses like AIDS, 
cancer and epilepsy will be able to designate a person to grow marijuana on 
their behalf. The growers will be granted a license from the federal 
government that will allow them to possess, grow and supply small 
quantities of marijuana free of criminal prosecution.

The new legislation would be implemented no later than July 31.

The move is in response to a ruling by the Ontario Court of Appeal last 
year that struck down the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The 
court ruled that the law doesn't address the issue of marijuana for medical 
purposes.
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