PAIR TO FIGHT POT CONVICTIONS AND BAIL TERMS

The hemp-happy founders of the Church of the Universe are scheduled to
fight their convictions and bail conditions in the Ontario Court of
Appeal today.

Rev. Michael Baldasaro and co-founder Rev. Walter Tucker were found
guilty last November of multiple counts of trafficking marijuana and
sentenced to two years and 12 months respectively. The pair also lost
their Barton Street church because it was ruled an "offence-related
property."

Baldasaro said they are hoping the provincial Appeal Court transfers
the case to the Supreme Court. The group advocates the legalization of
marijuana and refers to it as their sacrament. Both men were in court
on Friday with a motion for the Crown to pay over $22,000 as
reimbursement to their realtor, but Baldasaro said proceedings were
delayed to today instead.