Pubdate: Tue, 10 Feb 2009
Source: Metro (Toronto, CN ON)
Copyright: 2009 Metro Canada
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/toronto
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3462
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada)

BURNED IF YOU DO, BURNED IF YOU DON'T

Ted Kindos faces two choices: Continue to be called a bigot or break the
law. Either way, he risks going bankrupt.

Kindos owns Gator Ted's Tap & Grill in Burlington. Four years ago, he
asked a marijuana smoker to step away from his front door.

The medically licensed toker complained to the Ontario Human Rights
Commission of discrimination against a disabled person. He won. Kindos was
about to pay the fine and post obligatory signs saying, "We accommodate
medicinal marijuana smokers," when a different government agency told him
he could lose his liquor licence. Serving anybody possessing a controlled
substance - prescribed or not - is against the law.

"Heads I win, tails you lose," Kindos said yesterday.

Kindos must continue to fight the complaint or lose his business, he says.

Legal bills could also bankrupt him but a lawyer has agreed to assist and
take the next stage without charge. The Ontario Human Rights Tribunal will
hear the case this summer.
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MAP posted-by: Doug