LLOYD ROBERTSON
An Ontario woman went to court today in a bid to overturn Canada's
marijuana laws. Lynn Harichy uses the drug to dull the constant pain of
multiple sclerosis. She says she should be allowed to smoke the banned
substance. But police disagreed, and now she faces a jail term. CTV's Anton
Koschany reports.

ANTON KOSCHANY
Lynn Harichy has had MS since she was eighteen. At times the disease has
kept her bedridden, hurt her vision. Prescription drugs help, but have bad
side effects.

But, Harichy claims, smoking marijuana has given back her life.

LYNN HARICHY
It takes the shakes away, it takes the pains away. Um, it takes my
headaches away.

ANTON KOSCHANY
But the law says Harichy can't legally smoke pot. Possession is a crime. To
challenge that law last month Harichy took her joints to the front steps of
the London police station

LYNN HARICHY
I can't suffer any longer and neither can anybody else.

ANTON KOSCHANY
With predictable results.

LYNN HARICHY
I need to smoke it.

POLICE OFFICER
You're under arrest.

ANTON KOSCHANY
Charged with possession ... Punishable by up to six months in jail. And the
scene set to challenge the marijuana law.

Now, Harichy has made her first court appearance. For a trial early next year.

ANTON KOSCHANY
This is the second major challenge to Canada's cannabis laws here in
London. A constitutional argument was tossed out this summer. That case is
under appeal. But it didn't deal with the medical issues of smoking marijuana.

Issues that are very clear to Harichy.

LYNN HARICHY
These are stupid laws.

ANTON KOSCHANY
Harichy's supporters include other medicinal pot smokers, like Brenda
Rochford, suffering from a rare disease.

BRENDA ROCHFORD
The biggest crime here is the government withholding marijuana from people
who need it.

ANTON KOSCHANY
And Harichy's lawyer? He hopes

ALAN YOUNG
The court will issue a declaration that people who need marijuana for
serious debilitating illnesses will be able to access marijuana without
fear of criminal sanction.

ANTON KOSCHANY
But for now Lynn Harichy has to hide her pot smoking. After court, she and
Brenda Rochford tucked into this washroom for a quick smoke. Alternative
but still illegal medicine for what ails them.

Anton Koschany, CTV News, London, Ontario

LLOYD ROBERTSON
And some people aren't waiting to see the result of the court challenge.
The socalled compassion club in Vancouver is already providing marijuana
to people suffering from various ailments. Although what they're doing is
illegal, club officials say it's an essential service. CTV's Colin Gray
reports.

HILARY BLACK
So we have two types today

COLIN GRAY
Two types...of pot. Marijuana. The illegal stuff. They sell to as many as
forty people a day here. The only condition: you have to be sick. In fact,
you need a note from your doctor. Not a prescription...just a note saying
that if it were possible, the patient would benefit from smoking marijuana.
This is one such...

PATIENT
He has pain in various joints and muscles, and would benefit from THC
therapy from the Compassion Club

COLIN GRAY
The people who run the Compassion Club have never been arrested. They think
the police leave them alone because they are providing a
service...marijuana and a place to smoke, for people who need it, in
defiance of laws they say ignore the drug's therapeutic value.

HILARY BLACK
I think it's pretty hideous...this is something that's pretty essential to
a lot of people

COLIN GRAY
This man has bone cancer...no cure. He says pot smoking relieves the
effects of the drugs he takes for this disease with no cure

CANCER PATIENT
I find I get a real bad nausea from the chemo pills, and I find if I don't
smoke marijuana I can't eat

COLIN GRAY
Vicky Nicholson has Multiple Sclerosis, as well as joint disorders and
arthritis. She runs in marathons and wheelchair races, and credits her
ability to do so to the Compassion Club

VICKY NICHOLSON
I've found that smoking marijuana, I've got more energy, I feel better, so
I'm going to go for it. I've got no pain

COLIN GRAY
These people all want to see the law changed...to see marijuana made
available, and places like this made legal. Dan is dying of Aids

DAN
Sometimes I think about the Aids and I think well, my life is over now, you
know, what have I got to live for? And then I'll smoke a couple of joints,
and it just changes the mindset enough to be able to smile

COLIN GRAY
Colin Gray, CTV News, Vancouver