LINDSAY IN FAVOUR OF MEDICINAL POT

If smoking marijuana helps a chemotherapy patient ease their pain and keep
solid food down, Edmonton police Chief John Lindsay has no problem with that.

Speaking at a press conference after returning to work yesterday, Lindsay
said he supports medicinal use of cannabis. The chief backed a resolution
made earlier this year by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police
supporting patients' use of marijuana with the approval of their doctor.

"I certainly support the initiative by the (association) to legitimize the
use of marijuana under medically approved supervision," said Lindsay yesterday.

"I think there is a lot of merit to that position."

The chiefs have also called for use of alternate measures - like issuing
tickets - for people nabbed with small amounts of pot to ease pressure on
the justice system and give cops more flexibility in dealing with offenders.

But Lindsay gave the thumbs down to legalizing marijuana.

"The question of legalization is not an issue discussed by Canada's chiefs
of police," he said. "I don't have any support at all for the legalization
of various types of narcotics."

Edmonton marijuana advocate Haley Nelson said Lindsay's OK'ing of pot for
medicinal use is fine, but she stopped short of making him an honourary stoner.

"What's the point, if it's still illegal to grow or possess it?" asked the
23-year-old, who works at the True North Hemp Co. at 10760 82 Ave. She is
also a co-organizer of the upcoming Hempfest '99 conference in Edmonton
that starts Sept. 26.

"It is a basic, intrinsic right to use what is given to us by the earth.
It's our legal right to cultivate it, to possess it (and) purchase it."