POLICE UNFAZED BY MEDICINAL MARIJUANA SO FAR

Area police forces are taking no immediate action against members of a
medicinal marijuana network that distribute the drug to seriously ill
patients in the Ottawa area.

In Sunday's Citizen, one marijuana grower and two patients one with
AIDS, the other with Crohn's disease gave details of how they
distributed and smoked marijuana. The article also included a local doctor,
Don Kilby, who approves of marijuana for medicinal purposes.

The RCMP is making no comment on whether it will investigate the
network's activities.

"We're going to analyse the article and the information in it," said Insp.
Dwaine Tranquilla. "We'll make a decision later in the week."

The chief of Ottawa Carleton Police would also not say whether his force
will look into the network.

"I won't comment on that," said Chief Brian Ford.

"There's a lot of scientific evidence that say marijuana therapy is
effective for cancer patients. I can see the validity of that, but
obviously the law doesn't allow for it at this time."

Chief Ford has been a longtime advocate for the decriminalization of
marijuana but said his personal views do not reflect police decisions.

According to Richard Addelman, one of Ottawa's most experienced
criminal lawyer, it is unlikely members of the network could be charged
based solely on the Citizen article.

"They couldn't charge them with trafficking because they don't have the
substance they claims to be trafficking in," says Mr. Addelman. "Based on a
newspaper report, it's not enough."

The men who came forward with their stories of how they need and
distribute marijuana remain unfazed by the potential for police retribution.

Jean Charles Pariseau, a 30 yearold Hull man with AIDS, has been
supplied with free marijuana for almost a year through the network.

In October, the RCMP charged Mr. Pariseau for marijuana possession.

"If they come again, I'll smoke a joint right in front of them. I need it
for my
life," says Mr. Pariseau.

Aubert Martins, the Ottawa marijuana grower who oversees the distribution
of marijuana to more than a dozen AIDS and cancer patients, is equally
confident.

"I have no family here, I don't own very much. What can they do?" says
Mr. Martin. "I am doing what is right, I'm helping many people. Anyway, I'd
much rather they come after me than someone like Jean Charles who has
AIDS or someone else who is sick."