CANADIAN LEGISLATION WOULD LEGALIZE GROWING MARIJUANA FOR MEDICINAL USE

Canada's federal government is expected to introduce legislation this week
that will make it legal for third parties to cultivate and supply marijuana
to seriously ill people.

Under the new legislation, people afflicted with major illnesses like AIDS,
cancer and epilepsy will be able to designate a person to grow marijuana on
their behalf. The growers will be granted a license from the federal
government that will allow them to possess, grow and supply small
quantities of marijuana free of criminal prosecution.

The new legislation would be implemented no later than July 31.

The move is in response to a ruling by the Ontario Court of Appeal last
year that struck down the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The
court ruled that the law doesn't address the issue of marijuana for medical
purposes.