POT LEGISLATION SUPPORTED

OTTAWA - The federal government has moved one step closer to
permitting the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

A Bloc Quebecois motion calling for the legalization of pot for
medical reasons passed Tuesday night in the House of Commons, with a
few amendments.

The motion calls on the government to"take steps immediately" to
develop clinical trials, guidelines for its use and a safe supply of
marijuana for people who need it for medical reasons.

Earlier this spring, Health Minister Allan Rock promised clinical
trials into the medicinal use of marijuana.

Following the vote, Rock said he will publicize the government's plan
for legalizing medical pot, likely before the House breaks for the
summer.

Some are predicting that will happen June 9.

"I've asked (government researchers) before the House rises in June to
give me a plan: how is one going to qualify for inclusion in the
clinical trials, how many people will be involved, how will we make
the marijuana available -- all the details of how the research is
going to be conducted."

Within that time, Rock added, he will also release the government's
decisions on some of the applications by Canadians who have sought
permission to use the drug for medical reasons.

That includes Jim Wakeford, an Ontario social activist who has
AIDS.

Wakeford won the legal right to grow and smoke marijuana earlier this
month by receiving an interim constitutional exemption from
prosecution.

Ontario Superior Court Judge Harry LaForme issued the order while the
federal government decides on Wakeford's application for an exemption
from prosecution.

He was just the second Canadian allowed to use the drug with legal
impunity.

Toronto epileptic Terry Parker was the first.