MP'S MARIJUANA MOTION GATHERING STEAM

Last spring, Bloc Quebecois MP Bernard Bigras spoke to a constituent
suffering from AIDS who risked being jailed for six months every time he
smoked marijuana to alleviate his daily nausea, vomiting and pain.

Mr. Bigras is now sponsoring a motion in the House of Commons asking the
government to study the benefits of marijuana in treating the symptoms of
some illnesses. Mr. Bigras is suggesting that Health Canada conduct a
three-year research program involving 400 to 600 patients before
considering legalizing the substance.

Mr. Bigras's motion will force the government to come up with a position on
this issue before it comes to a vote in May. He currently has the support
of the Bloc, NDP and Progressive Conservative caucasus, and of influential
doctors in the Liberal caucus, including MP Carolyn Bennett and cabinet
minister Hedy Fry.

Mr. Bigras said in an interview yesterday that he is aware that he is
raising a controvertial issue.

"I don't expect that within six months of this motion, the government will
be fored to legalize marijuana," Mr. Bigras said. "I understand that there
has to be research before marijuana is approved as a drug. I'm not stupid
enough to think that the government would allow people to grow marijuana in
their backyard."