FUNDS GO TO POT BILLIONAIRE HELPED MARIJUANA DEFENCE

A Toronto man who won the legal right to use marijuana for medicinal
purposes received financial support from a U.S. think-tank funded by
billionaire philanthropist George Soros.

The Lindesmith Center gave more than $ 25,000 US to help cover Terry
Parker's legal bills, according to published reports.

Parker uses the drug to fight his severe epilepsy.

Last month, the Ontario Court of Appeal not only upheld his right to use
marijuana, but it declared Canada's cannabis law to be un-constitutional.

The court gave Parliament 12 months to rewrite the legislation so
legitimate patients can get medicinal cannabis.

Founded in 1994, the Lindesmith Center wants to "end marijuana prohibition
for adults" and soften drug laws in general, said director Ethan Nadelmann.

This summer, the Lindesmith Center merged with the Drug Policy Foundation
and is now "the leading organization in the United States advocating
alternative drug policies," Nadelmann said.

It has helped draft medical marijuana initiatives that have passed in the US.

It also operates an annual defence fund to cover the legal expenses of
those seeking to change drug laws through the courts.

In 1997, Toronto criminal lawyer Aaron Harnett approached the Lindesmith
Center to help cover court costs for his client, Parker, who had been
charged the previous year with growing cannabis plants in his apartment.

The Lindesmith Center provided a few thousand dollars for expert witnesses
who testified at Parker's trial about the medical efficacy of marijuana.

Parker won his case and the Lindesmith Center dramatically boosted its
support so Harnett could fight off a Crown appeal.

Parker won that appeal last month.