SETTLEMENT BETWEEN MEDICAL MARIJUANA USER, RESTAURANT OWNER ENDS
HUMAN RIGHTS BATTLE

Steve Gibson says he will be back at Gator Ted's sometime later this
year puffing his medical marijuana outside the local restaurant.

Gibson told the Post yesterday (Tuesday) that he has accepted an offer
from Ted Kindos, owner of Gator Ted's Tap and Grill on Guelph Line, to
settle a dispute over his medical marijuana use outside the eatery.

Gibson and Kindos had been locked in a battle before the Ontario Human
Rights Commission (OHRC) for nearly three years. The case had involved
three OHRC mediation sessions that could not produce an agreement. The
issue escalated to a Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario hearing that was
to have started Monday in Toronto. The agreement came soon after the
tribunal hearing was set to start, said Gibson.

Kindos could not be reached for comment by the Post's deadline, but
the Toronto Star reported that he abandoned the tribunal hearing
because he can't afford the $60,000 in legal fees his lawyer said it
would likely cost to defend himself.

"The financial burden, the burden on me and on my family was too
much," Kindos said Monday after reaching a settlement.

Gibson, 42, said he is relieved the conflict has been
resolved.

"I'm pleased with the settlement. As to my rights I received
everything that I have asked for. As to the money aspect of this, it
was never about money for me. I know it came out that it was $20,000
(I asked for). It was nowhere close to that because it was never about
the money.

"My original remedy was to be able to go to the local pub at Gator's
and socialize with my companions of 11 years without getting verbally
abused for having to take my (pot) medication where I am legally
allowed," he said.

Gibson's original complaint was that Kindos told him to step back much
farther away from his restaurant's front door than regular cigarette
smokers if he was going to light a joint.

The father of two suffered a neck injury in 1989 that prevents him
from working. He says he manages the pain with exercise, hot tubs and
heating pads, a prescription muscle relaxant and painkiller, and
marijuana. He is on a disability pension.

He said he's just glad the war of words is over with
Kindos.

"Both of our families have gone through a tremendous amount of stress.
We've both had our lives turned upside down. I was not out to ruin his
business.... It should not have been his fight and I should not have
had to put it in his lap," he said of his disagreement with the
restaurant owner.