Pubdate: Fri, 24 May 2002
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.fyitoronto.com/torsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Forum: http://www.canoe.ca/Chat/newsgroups.html
Author: Alan Findlay
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada)

MEDICINAL POT USERS SUING FEDS

A lawsuit launched by medicinal marijuana users is aiming to abolish 
the federal law against possessing and using pot.

The group of eight people, including seizure and chronic pain 
sufferers, are suing the federal government because they say it's 
impossible to get safe, affordable marijuana for treatment.

"Health Canada has perpetrated a cruel hoax on seriously ill 
Canadians," their lawyer, Alan Young, said.

The lawsuit calls for orders from the Ontario Superior Court of 
Justice that would either strike down the federal law against 
possession or provide medicinal pot users with a safe, reliable and 
affordable supply such as the massive harvest being grown in Flin 
Flon, Man., for federal research purposes.

One of the people who launched the lawsuit, Alison Myrden, said she 
spends more than $1,000 a month on pot to help treat facial pain she 
suffers with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis. She has an 
exception allowing her to legally possess marijuana, but she says 
it's increasingly difficult to get it through legal channels such as 
a doctor.

Young said the feds have failed to act on a year-old court order 
requiring them to provide a safe, secure and affordable pot supply. 
That failure means the entire possession law should be struck down, 
he said.
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MAP posted-by: Josh