JUDGE EXTENDS STATUS QUO ON MARIJUANA LAWS

Existing marijuana laws are to remain in place until Ottawa can study
- - and possibly reform - its medical marijuana program, an Ontario
Court of Appeal judge ruled Wednesday.

"The government needs time if it is to get it right," appeal court
Justice Robert Blair said in extending the status quo until either
Ottawa can change its program or a court appeal of a ruling against
the medical program can be heard.

To reform the program, Ottawa would almost certainly need to hear from
the medical community, sick people needing marijuana medication and
other interested parties, the court was told.

Justice Blair also ordered that an appeal of the ruling against the
government be heard as early as November, a case expected to last less
than two days.

Two months ago, a lower court judge declared the federal medical
marijuana program unconstitutional, saying doctors have "massively
boycotted" the program and deprived sick people of necessary medication.

That ruling might have legalized pot possession and marijuana
cultivation in Ontario, except that the judge suspended his decision
for 90 days to allow Ottawa to render the medical program
constitutional. Wednesday's ruling extends the 90-day deadline
indefinitely.