CAFE LETS CUSTOMERS SMOKE POT

SAINT JOHN, N.B. -- Jamie MacLean didn't have any problem being the first
person to smoke marijuana at Saint John's newly opened Cannabis Cafe.

The 21-year-old happily lit up in front of reporters yesterday afternoon at
the cafe, which has an open policy on marijuana smoking.

Cafe owner Lynn Wood said there has been a lot of traffic in the store,
believed to be the province's first pot-smoking optional cafe.

However, before MacLean no one had taken advantage of the store's open
policy on marijuana smoking.

MacLean and his girlfriend shared a joint in the front room of the cafe.

He said he's not too worried about the consequences of being caught by
police with one joint, particularly when possession charges are being
thrown out of provincial courts across the country.

This week, a Nova Scotia judge became the country's third judge to halt
court proceedings on charges of marijuana possession.

Provincial court Judge Flora Buchan ruled there was no valid federal law in
place governing simple possession.

MacLean said he believes marijuana should be legalized, especially since
doctors are prescribing it for medicinal use for many patients across the
country.

"They're going to let people drink themselves into an early grave ... The
worst thing (with marijuana) is you're going to fall asleep."