JUDGE RULES POT LAW INVALID

WINDSOR--Possessing less than 30 grams of marijuana is no longer
against the law in Ontario, a Windsor judge said in a ruling released
yesterday.

Superior Court Justice Steven Rogin's decision has "effectively erased
the criminal prohibition on marijuana possession from the law books in
Ontario," said Brian McAllister, the lawyer who challenged the law on
behalf of a 17-year-old client.

Rogin's decision is almost certain to be followed by judges of
Ontario's lower court, where nearly all marijuana possession cases are
decided.

Hundreds of marijuana possession cases in Ontario have been put on
hold pending Rogin's ruling.

Rogin upheld Ontario Court Justice Douglas Phillip's decision to quash
a charge against a youth for possessing less than 30 grams of
marijuana because the law is no longer valid.