CANADA TO LET PRIVATE SECTOR GROW MEDICINAL POT

TORONTO -- The Ontario Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday that businesses and
individuals be allowed to grow and supply large amounts of medical marijuana,
relieving the Canadian government of its often-criticized attempts to do so
itself.

"What is going to change in Canada is that one person or one company can grow
for an unlimited number of people . . . and in terms of supply and cultivation,
you can now pay people to grow for you," said York University Law Professor
Alan Young, a legal counsel to the people seeking more relaxed growing rules.
The ruling, he said, will make it easier for sick people to get marijuana by
broadening access and choice.

The ruling stems from a January court decision that called on the Canadian
government to provide a legal source of marijuana to people suffering from
AIDS, multiple sclerosis and other illnesses, so they would not have to buy it
from drug dealers.

In July, Canada became the first country in the world to start selling
government-grown marijuana to seriously ill people. Several hundred people have
registered with the government to use the drug for medical purposes.

Tuesday's ruling, as well as allowing sick people easier access to the
marijuana that they use to ease pain, or boost the appetite, also lets the
Canadian government wash its hands of the business of selling the drug.

Canadian Health Minister Anne McLellan said she was heartened by the court's
decision.