Pubdate: Fri, 05 Jul 2002
Source: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (Canada Web)
Copyright: 2002 CBC
Contact:  http://www.cbc.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1412
Note: Audio Link: 
http://vancouver.cbc.ca/clips/Vancouver/ram-audio/bc_bennett_020705.ram; 
Jill Bennett reports for CBC Radio News

POT CRUSADER OFF THE HOOK

Victoria - A Victoria marijuana advocate charged with possession for the 
purpose of trafficking has been given an absolute discharge in B.C. Supreme 
Court.

Lucas says the reasons given by the judge reinforcesthe work he dies 
Philippe Lucas, the executive director of the Vancouver Island Compassion 
Club, was charged after police raided his club 20 months ago.

He made a deal with the Crown, and pleaded guilty.

On Friday, a B.C. Supreme Court Justice threw out the charge, saying the 
Compassion Club is helping those who use marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Lucas says the reasons given by the judge reinforces the work he does at 
the Compassion Club.

"He agreed that the Health Canada medical access program is a misnomer," he 
says. "That there is nobody right now getting medical marijuana who can 
benefit from it. He deemed the actions of the Vancouver Island Compassion 
Society were neither harmful to the individuals involved or to society as a 
whole."

Lucas hopes the court ruling will send a clear message that medical 
marijuana is useful when handled safely. He also hopes it will also serve 
as a wake up call to Health Canada to get it's medical marijuana program 
back on track to supply the need for the drug.
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MAP posted-by: Beth