THUNDER BAY "CAFE" SUPPLIES POT TO THE ILL

THUNDER BAY, Ont. (CP) - A small group of local residents is running a
network that gives or sells marijuana at cost to people who use pot for
medicinal purposes. Doc Clone's Compassionate Cafe has been functioning for
at least six years and insiders say the group has distributed no-or
low-cost marijuana to more than 60 ill people in that time.

Doug Thompson, 53, a Nolalu resident and an outspoken advocate of
legalizing marijuana use, said he's one of the people to have benefited
from Doc Clone's network. Thompson, who suffers from arthritis and multiple
sclerosis and needs a wheelchair, said the cafe helps people like him
endure discomfort and try to overcome serious physical disabilities.

"In Northwestern Ontario, Doc Clone's Compassionate Cafe has helped cancer
patients, people with anorexia, glaucoma patients, arthritis patients and
others," said Thompson.

Thompson said he could get through a week taking one-tenth of the
prescription painkillers he's been on since a March 5 conviction for
possessing the drug by puffing daily on 10-15 joints obtained through the
"cafe."

Thompson said word-of-mouth networking serves as Doc Clone's means of
advertising and of arranging a depot to service people like him. No one
gets the pot without proof - such as a doctor's note - of a serious medical
affliction, he said.

Thompson said there are plans for the cafe to open a store-front operation
in Thunder Bay.

Thunder Bay lawyer Marlene Wilson, who prosecutes narcotics cases for the
federal government, said she's never heard of Doc Clone's but said what it
does would be illegal.

"It doesn't matter if they give (marijuana) away for free or sell it, it's
still trafficking," said Wilson. She said using marijuana for medicinal
purposes is an area of law in which prosecutors need direction from the
federal justice department.

Last December, an Ontario judge ruled an epileptic man had the right under
the Charter of Rights to smoke, cultivate and possess pot for medicinal
purposes. However, the judge also convicted the 42-year-old man of
trafficking because he gave the drug to other seizure sufferers.

The federal government is appealing the case and Wilson said the Supreme
Court may have to settle the issue.

Doc Clone's insiders say they don't expect police to ignore them.

"They don't turn a blind eye. They're not taught to do that," said one member.

Provincial police Sgt. John Horne said, "If they're selling or giving away
marijuana, it's an illegal substance and we enforce the laws."

(Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal)