TWO CHARGED WITH TRAFFICKING AFTER POLICE INVESTIGATE
CLUB GIVING MARIJUANA TO THE SICK

MONTREAL - Two people who provided marijuana for sick people were
charged with drug trafficking Friday as Health Minister Allan Rock
said the federal government is a better source of medicinal grass.

The arrests were made Thursday after a search of the Compassion Club,
which has chapters in Toronto and Vancouver.

Police had warned the club when it opened in October they would
enforce Canada's drug laws. The club's doors were locked Friday and a
telephone answering machine told callers it would be closed
indefinitely.

Marc St-Maurice, 31, and Alexandre Neron, 21, two volunteers at the
club, were arraigned on possession and trafficking charges.

They will return to court March 13.

Rock, who was in Montreal to announce increased funding for medical
research, wouldn't comment on the arrests but said he has been trying
to expand the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.

"I think the better approach is . . that they are given access to
marijuana that is safe and clean from a government source," he said.

Rock said the government has received proposals from potential
sources.

"I hope the day will come when the government will be in a position to
supply those who on medical grounds justify their needs to use it."

Ottawa gave 20 people legal permission last fall to grow and use
marijuana for therapeutic purposes. But it did not allow them to buy
the substance from other suppliers, whose activities are still
considered illegal.

Most of the people allowed marijuana suffer from cancer or AIDS. The
drug, which is usually smoked, can relieve pain and stimulate appetite.

Montreal police said in a statement they are aware of the therapeutic
uses of marijuana.

"We did meet with the people responsible and we did tell them that as
long as laws are in effect that restrict the possession of marijuana
we were there to enforce the law," said Montreal police Cmdr. Andre
Durocher.

"I don't think it's up to the police department to decide which laws
we apply or do not apply."

About 66 grams of the herb were seized from the club, enough for
between 150 and 300 cigarettes.

Thirty-three people had doctors' notes to obtain marijuana for
therapeutic reasons while 93 others had been refused.

Jean Drury, a lawyer for the Compassion Club, said police could turn a
blind eye if they wanted to.

"It's not true to say that police can't exercise some discretion,"
Drury told RDI, Radio-Canada's all-news channel.

Drury said police don't always arrest those involved in marijuana
cultivation. He also cited prostitution as another area where police
don't always act.

Police have the discretion to "proceed or not," he added.