POT PARTY'S LEADER PLEDGES CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE

MONTREAL -- The leader of the Marijuana Party of Canada said after a court
appearance Thursday he plans to contest the constitutionality of the
country's pot laws.

Marc Boris St-Maurice, a candidate in Prime Minister Paul Martin's riding
of LaSalle-Emard, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of simple possession
of three grams of marijuana.

He said it was coincidence his court appearance took place during the
federal election and cited a report this week by the Fraser Institute
saying legalization of marijuana would help generate revenues for the
government.

St-Maurice, 35, maintains the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
is unconstitutional because the ban on possession of marijuana was struck
down by the Ontario Court of Appeal. He said the court ruled it violated
the rights of people who needed pot for medical reasons.