MARIJUANA CASE DISMISSED

A judge in Toronto has dismissed an AIDS sufferer's request to be
allowed to use marijuana to control the side effects of his medication.

Jim Wakeford, 53, launched his suit in February, saying laws banning
the use of marijuana violate his Charter rights.

But yesterday, an Ontario Court, general division judge dismissed the
application.

Wakeford's lawyer, Alan Young, said he will take the application to
the Ontario Court of appeal.

Young said, although the judge clearly recognized that marijuana has
medicinal value, he suggested it is up to Parliament to change the
laws.

Wakefield [sic] has been using marijuana for the last few years to
combat the violent nausea and appetite loss caused by the AIDS drugs
he must take.

Wakeford was in hospital twice earlier this year, once for
malnutrition and once for liver failure caused by malnutrition.

Wakeford has said that anti-nausea drugs don't help.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry