NO TOKEN APPROVAL GIVEN

Supreme Court Of Canada Decision On Pot Wins Cops' High Approval While
Activist Stews

City police are cheering and a local marijuana activist is jeering a
Supreme Court of Canada ruling yesterday upholding the illegality of
possessing small amounts of pot.

By a 6-3 vote, the court turned down three separate cases challenging
the criminal prohibition on cannabis possession, ruling such a ban is
constitutional.

It's now up to the federal government to decide whether or not to
follow through on its pledge to decriminalize simple possession.

"We conclude that it is within Parliament's legislative jurisdiction
to criminalize the possession of marijuana ... equally it is open to
Parliament to decriminalize ..." said the court's judgment.

A local crusader for medicinal marijuana said the judgment is a
setback for those bidding to possess marijuana to alleviate painful
symptoms.

"Doctors still aren't being able to prescribe it, so sick people are
still forced to go to the black market or people like me," said Grant
Kreiger, who supplies marijuana for therapeutic reasons.

"That's the only choice we have and the government will penalize us
every chance it gets."

While Kreiger said he still hopes Prime Minister Paul Martin's
Liberals will ease penalties, he said the court's decision sends a
disappointing message.

"The courts have taken two steps back -- they haven't done anything
for anyone, not even the sick," he said.

But a spokesman for city police said the ruling sends a welcome
signal.

"Some people look on marijuana possession (as less serious) than
others do -- it has health dangers and can be a gateway drug," said
Insp. Brian Skeet of the organized-crime unit.

"This decision solidifies the constitutionality of the existing law
we've been operating on -- it needs to remain a criminal offence."

The SCOC also ruled 9-0 in upholding the criminality of possession for
the purpose of trafficking.