QUALITY OF MERCY STRAINED BY CLUB'S SALE OF MEDICINAL MARIJUANA

A Montreal club that has started selling marijuana for medicinal use could
test a recent court ruling granting an Aids sufferer a constitutional
exemption from Canada's drug laws.

The club opened over the weekend to people who have a doctor's note saying
they need marijuana to cope with chronic pain. Police say they will
investigate the Compassion Club's activities but it will be up to a crown
prosecutor to determine whether charges are laid.

Last spring, a Toronto social activist suffering from Aids won the right to
grow and smoke marijuana after the provincial high court determined that he
could have an interim exemption from the country's drug laws until Ottawa
established a procedure for patients to get marijuana for health reasons.

Following the court decision, federal Health Minister Allan Rock said the
Government would invite bids from companies interested in supplying
marijuana for use in clinical trials.

But those with chronic pain or illness who might benefit from marijuana
have complained that the federal process for applying to use pot is
cumbersome and the problem of a clean, safe and high-quality supply remains.

Unlike the Aids sufferer, though, the club has no legal exemption from
prosecution and the director is worried.

"The police have given me a clear statement of their position, which is
that they are not going to tolerate this," Louise-Caroline Bergeron said.