TRIBUNAL TO HEAR POT SMOKER'S CLAIM

(CNS) - An Ontario man who was told he wasn't allowed to smoke
medical marijuana outside a local sports bar has been granted a
hearing at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, one of the first
cases of its kind in Canadian history.

Steve Gibson, a father of two, claims he was discriminated against
because of his disability after he was barred from Gator Ted's Tap
and Grill in Burlington, Ont., in May 2005 for smoking marijuana by
the restaurant's front door.

"The problem is that I'm not allowed to smoke where other people are
allowed to smoke [cigarettes]," he said Tuesday.

Three years ago, Gibson was told by the owner of his local family
sports bar that he had to be about 30 metres away from the eatery's
front door while smoking because the marijuana was bothering other
customers, including children.

Gibson, one of more than 2,000 Canadians with a licence to use
marijuana for medical purposes, regularly smokes to alleviate pain
from a neck injury.

Ted Kindos, owner of Gator Ted's, said he will fight the
discrimination case until the end -- even if it forces him to close
his doors. "This case will set a precedent in Canada. If the
commission favours him, he's going to be allowed to smoke marijuana
outside your school, in your family parks, in front of churches and
shopping malls."