IT'S STILL AN OFFENCE: RCMP

Facing the prospect of a new organized pot distribution system in Prince
George, RCMP said they will continue to enforce drug laws as usual. "If we
come across (drug offences) we'll deal with it. We'll treat it on a
case-by-case basis," said Insp. Dahl Chambers. Police don't intend to
target any specific groups, he said, but he added: "It's still an offence
in Canada no matter what the reason."

The B.C. Marijuana Party announced it will establish a "compassion network"
to provide inexpensive pot to medicinal users. Prince George is one of nine
communities across the province that will be linked to the system, said
party president Marc Emery. Two people in each area will oversee the
distribution, he said.

While there's concern about police enforcement, the party doesn't expect
the network to be shut down, said Will DeWolf, who's helping to organize
the system in Prince George. Police have seized marijuana from similar
compassion clubs in other communities but rarely is anyone charged, he
said. Law enforcement initiatives don't appear to affect the supply or
price of pot, he said. "For every grow operation that's busted, there are
1,000 others."

DeWolf said pot is often used to alleviate nausea, allowing patients to
keep their medicine down, or to eat, and also acts as a pain killer and
anti-inflammatory. He said he expects the compassion network will help not
only people with terminal illnesses, but also those with chronic illnesses
such as Crohn's disease and arthritis.

The federal government is proposing to relax the rules on medical
marijuana, starting July 31, making rules on possession and growing more
flexible. Since May 1999, the government has allowed Canadians to apply
for medicinal marijuana use, but imposed strict limitations. The House of
Commons recently voted to establish a committee that will examine
non-medical drug use, which is expected to include debate on decriminalization.