AMERICAN MEDICAL MARIJUANA ADVOCATE RETURNS TO COURT

An American woman fighting extradition to California to face drug charges
stemming from a medical-marijuana grow operation was in court briefly
Wednesday. Final arguments began in the extradition hearing for Renee Boje,
30.

The New York artist faces drug manufacturing, distribution and conspiracy
charges, which carry a minimum 10-year sentence.

But Boje's lawyer, John Conroy, argued Wednesday that there was no proof
his client was involved in a conspiracy to traffic the drugs.

"There's no evidence she's the member of a conspiracy," Conroy argued.

He has also said statements she allegedly made to police after her arrest
weren't voluntary.

Conroy has also argued the charges are political, arising from U.S. federal
opposition to California's medical-marijuana policy.

Boje was arrested in 1997 along with medical-marijuana advocates Todd
McCormick and Peter McWilliams and several others after federal officials
found thousands of marijuana plants growing at a Bel-Air mansion and three
other leased locations in Los Angeles County.

Boje was arrested after police claimed to have observed her and another
woman watering some of the pot plants one day.

They also observed her smoking a bong, according to police reports.

But "there is no evidence what was in the bong," Conroy said.

McWilliams, a self-help publisher who suffers from AIDS and cancer, said he
uses pot to fight nausea and stimulate his appetite while he takes
AIDS-fighting drugs.

McCormick also suffers from cancer.

They are accused of growing the pot and trying to sell it to the Los
Angeles Cannabis Buyers Club, which has dispensed the drug since
Californians voted in 1996 to legalize it for medical use.

But a U.S. federal judge ruled McWilliams and McCormick could not use the
defence of medical necessity at their trial because while California's
Proposition 215 allows the personal use of marijuana for medical purposes,
U.S. federal law does not and state laws don't apply to federal offences.

Boje came to Canada last year on advice from her lawyer after the charges
were briefly withdrawn.

She was arrested last February when RCMP raided a Sechelt, B.C.,
marijuana-grow operation where she was staying. U.S. authorities then
requested her extradition.

The case returns to court Dec. 21 for final arguments.

Boje had claimed refugee status in Canada on political grounds, but the
claim has been denied by the Immigration and Refugee Board.

Boje said Wednesday she will appeal.