FEDS DROP CHARGES AGAINST POT 'COMPASSION CLUB'

TORONTO -- The federal Justice Department dropped its prosecution of a
marijuana "compassion club" in Toronto yesterday, potentially opening the
door for similar operations to start up and provide a supply to medical
users across the country.

Two directors of the Toronto Compassion Centre, which had more than 1,200
clients, had marijuana-trafficking-related charges against them dropped.

"I am not saying today's withdrawal is a green light for compassion clubs,"
said Alan Young, the club's lawyer. "But perhaps it puts them on a stronger
legal foundation than they were before."

He noted that there are two other clubs already in existence in Toronto and
one with nearly 2,000 members in Vancouver.