Note: Our newshawk and activist, Lynn Harichy, has had many news stories
about her published, of which 71 are in our news archives. The story below
says "Harichy is facing trial Sept. 27 for one charge of possession of
marijuana. The charge was laid Sept. 15, 1997, when Harichy lit up a joint
on the steps of the London police station. She said it was an act of civil
disobedience." For Lynn, this has never been just an act of civil
disobedience, but an act with the goal of mounting a Constitutional
Challenge under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Lynn and I sat together in the London court room in 1997 when judge J. F.
McCart denied the Constitutional Challenge in the Chris Clay trial. Judge
McCart stated that the results may well have been different had the case
been about medical use. This Lynn saw as an invitation, which she took at
the local police station some weeks later. Her lawyer is Osgoode Hall law
professor and constitutional expert Alan Young, who defends similar cases,
as shown by the over 250 items mentioning him in our archives.

Readers who would like to chat with Lynn may find her in the MAP CHAT room
most Saturday and Sunday evenings from about 9:00 p.m. Eastern time at:
http://www.mapinc.org/chat/
and some photos of Lynn with the media at her first court appearance are at:
http://www.drugsense.org/lynn/

Richard Lake
Sr. Editor

DELAY BURNS POT SMOKER

The federal government may be a step closer to permitting the use of
marijuana for medical purposes but advocate Lynn Harichy isn't holding her
breath.

"I've heard Allan Rock make promises before," said Harichy, 38. "People
want it legalized now. They're suffering. They don't need years of tests
and studies."

Health Minister Rock has asked government resear-chers for a plan on
legalizing marijuana for medicinal use before the House breaks in June.

Harichy has multiple sclerosis and says she smokes pot several times a day
to relieve symptoms.

"A part of me says, 'Yes, this is great. The government is finally going to
stop treating people who are sick as criminals.' Another part says, 'Wait
and see.' "

Without the pot she can't control her shaking, hold on to things properly
or walk straight, Harichy said.

People who need pot for medical reasons should be able to get it from a
pharmacy, she said.

Harichy is facing trial Sept. 27 for one charge of possession of marijuana.
The charge was laid Sept. 15, 1997, when Harichy lit up a joint on the
steps of the London police station. She said it was an act of civil
disobedience.