MARIJUANA ADVOCATE SAYS MEDICINAL POT NOW ON SALE IN N.B. CAFE

SAINT JOHN, N.B. (CP) - A marijuana advocate in New Brunswick said Tuesday
he has started selling the drug for medicinal purposes in his Cannabis Cafe.

Jim Wood, owner of the cafe in downtown Saint John, said he's fulfilling a
community need by selling high-quality pot to people who need the marijuana
to ease their pain and suffering.

"Everybody is excited about it," Wood said in an interview. "The patients
are some glad they don't have to go to crack shacks and buy pot anymore."

Wood said that, so far, he has not been bothered by the police, even though
a community policing centre is located directly across the street from the
cafe.

Wood said he's confident his method of selling marijuana would stand up in
court.

However, he said it's discouraging to hear about an Ontario Court of Appeal
decision Tuesday that struck down provisions of the federal government's
medicinal marijuana program.

The Ontario court reinstated the prohibition against possession of small
amounts of pot.

"It's definitely a step backwards," Wood said. "I don't see how they can go
forward and then go backwards. It leaves the public wondering what's real."

Wood is not part of the federal medicinal marijuana program.

People who want to get marijuana from Wood must first fill out application
forms and, if possible, provide a doctor's letter that states why they need
the pot.

Wood said he has several customers and about a dozen people have picked up
application forms. He started offering the program last month.

The Cannabis Cafe has been open since April. Initially, it was simply a
haven where people could bring their own marijuana to smoke along with a cup
of coffee.

Police arrested five people at the cafe in May but charges are still
pending. Meanwhile, pot smokers continue to frequent the store.

A spokesman for the Saint John police said the department is keeping an eye
on the cafe, but no arrests have been made since May.

The police department said it is against the law for Wood to sell marijuana
at the store.