COURT ORDERS NOVA SCOTIA TO PAY FOR MARIJUANA GROW-OP

The Nova Scotia government has been ordered to approve funding for a
disabled woman's marijuana grow-op.

The province's Income Assistance Appeals Board ruled that the
Department of Community Services must pay Tanya (identified only by
her first name because of privacy concerns), a $2,500 setup fee and an
additional $100 every three months instead of paying for her medicinal
marijuana.

Tanya told CBC News that she and her husband Sam, who is also
registered to grow pot for personal use, can only afford to grow six
plants, and they sometimes run out. Tanya and Sam's only income is
from social assistance.

Both Sam and Tanya are disabled and have Health Canada licences that
allow them to grow marijuana for personal use, which they told CBC
helps relieve pain. Their licences allow the couple to grow up to a
total 25 plants.

Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter warned last year of potential costs
to the government after a ruling in a similar case.

In March, 2010, the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia ruled the province
must increase financial assistance to Sally Campbell, who suffered
from chronic pain and nausea, so she could afford medical marijuana.
The case was brought to the courts after her request was denied by
Community Services and the review board.

"The potential for the province to become liable for all manners of
therapies, treatments outside of what coverage is normally provided is
potentially there in this decision," Mr. Dexter told the media after
the ruling.

Nova Scotia had the most licensed grow operations per capita last
year, according to Statistics Canada.