MEDICAL POT USE LAW TAKES EFFECT IN CANADA

TORONTO - Canadians suffering from terminal illnesses and chronic
conditions, including arthritis, can legally grow and smoke marijuana, or
designate someone else to grow it for them, under regulations that take
effect today.

The new rules are part of the first system in the world that includes a
government-approved and -paid-for supply of marijuana, now being grown in a
former mine in northern Manitoba.

The rules expand the number of people beyond the 292 in the country earlier
exempted from federal drug laws that make it a criminal offense to grow and
use marijuana.

While some in Canada complain the new regulations create bureaucratic
hurdles and put doctors in the unsettling role of prescribing something
they know little about, the Canadian system looks wonderful to U.S. medical
marijuana advocates battling a zero-tolerance attitude.

"We're kind of envious of Canadians having the luxury of complaining about
the minutiae of the program," said Chuck Thomas of the Washington-based
Marijuana Policy Project. "It seems like a reasonable system."

Eight U.S. states have taken some kind of step toward permitting the
medicinal use of marijuana: California, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Hawaii,
Maine, Nevada and Colorado.

The U.S. Supreme Court, however, ruled earlier this year that there is no
exception in federal law for people to use marijuana, so even people with
state medical-exemptions could face arrest if they do.