CROWN MULLS PURSUIT OF AILING POT GROWER

The Crown is reviewing its case against accused-pot grower Robert
Brown in light of a decision by Health Canada to let him smoke dope.

"Now that he has a constitutional exemption, it does bear on what
we're going to do," federal Crown attorney Tim McCann said yesterday
from his Pembroke law office.

Brown, 43, who suffers from hepatitis C, is among a rare number of
Canadians allowed to use marijuana for treatment. But prior to him
winning future exemption from prosecution Monday, he was charged with
growing pot at his Beachburg-area farmhouse in December 1998. His
trial on three drug-related charges is scheduled for June.

McCann said he'll also re-examine the accused's state of health, which
has reportedly been very poor.

"If he doesn't have long to live, how appropriate is it to continue
with someone that's not going to live to see the trial?"

Brown spent yesterday sick at home, smoking small portions of
marijuana donated to him by supporters during his two-day protest on
Parliament Hill.

"My fight's not done," he said.

His Pembroke lawyer, Rick Reimer, said he believes Monday's approval
will help his client's case.