PRISONER DENIED MARIJUANA USE TO EASE PAIN

MONCTON, New Brunswick-- A Canadian federal court
refused to allow an imprisoned marijuana-rights activist to use the
drug behind bars to treat chronic pain.

The National Post reports Michael Patriquen, a marijuana-rights
activist who ran in the recent Nova Scotia election, had asked Judge
Pierre Blais to order jail authorities in Moncton, New Brunswick, to
supply him cookies made with pot.

"I doubt that we are ready to allow inmates to cultivate marijuana in
their cells," the judge said in his decision. "The evidence ...
suggests that allowing marijuana into the institution for distribution
to inmates would pose an unreasonable risk to the safety of staff
members, inmates and visitors, as well as to the overall security of
the institution."

Blais also cited a doctor's testimony suggesting Patriquen's condition
is not as serious as he says.

Patriquen, founder of the Marijuana Party of Nova Scotia, is serving a
six-year term since last September for drug-related offences.