Pubdate: Wed, 12 May 1999 Source: United Press International Copyright: 1999 United Press International MEDICAL MARIJUANA The Canadian government has indicated that it doesn't intend to appeal an Ontario Superior Court ruling that permits a Toronto AIDS patient to use marijuana for medicinal purposes. However, federal Health Minister Allan Rock says the decision doesn't mean that smoking marijuana has been legalized. The court ruling handed down Monday gave 54-year-old Jim Wakeford a constitutional exemption from being prosecuted if he smoked pot to relieve his symptoms. Justice Harry LaForme also ruled that Wakeford would not have to tell the government where he got the marijuana. Wakeford is the second person in Toronto to receive court permission to use marijuana for medicinal purposes. In 1997, a lower court stayed drug possession charges against Terry Parker...who said he needed marijuana to treat epilepsy symptoms. The federal government has appealed that decision. In March, Rock told reporters his department would carry out clinical tests that could lead to the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes. Should marijuana be legalized for medicinal purposes? Do you think this might eventually lead to the legalization of all street drugs? - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea