CITY TURNS THE LIGHTS BACK ON

HIV Patient Has Licence To Grow Medical Marijuana In His
Apartment

Toronto Community Housing restored the power to an HIV positive man's
apartment yesterday -- three weeks after they found him legally
growing marijuana in the unit.

The city's social housing agency cut William Palmer's electricity when
they discovered his small grow-op, even though he has a licence from
Health Canada to grow pot so he can use the drug to cope with the side
effects of his HIV medication.

HAD 25 PLANTS

Medical marijuana can relieve the nausea caused by HIV medications,
increase a patient's appetite and help with chronic pain. Palmer, 44,
who was diagnosed with HIV in 1997, had a marijuana crop of 25 small
plants.

"I'm happy not being in the dark," said Palmer, who needs to
refrigerate his HIV medication.

"Now they have an electrician looking at my (grow-op) equipment to see
if it is hooked up right. I can't turn it back on until they say so."

Palmer had an electrician initially set up the pot growing equipment
for him.

More than a year ago, Palmer wrote his landlords to inform them of the
grow-op and included the licence which allows him to grow marijuana.

His only reply came on Sept. 23 when the fire and police departments
entered his apartment and shut him down.

OBEYED LAW

"I have been obeying the law and this is what happens," Palmer
said.

Housing officials do not comment on specific cases because of privacy
laws.

However, the housing authority follows a process to address concerns
in a fair way, spokesman Jeff Ferrier said.

"The TCH and landlords have a responsibility to make sure buildings
and developments are safe for all tenants," Ferrier said, adding the
fire department had safety concerns after the inspection.

"We try to move forward as fast as we can to the benefit of all
involved."