JUDGE SAYS MARIJUANA LAW INVALID

DARTMOUTH, N.S. -- Another drug case ended because of controversy over
marijuana laws.

A provincial court judge in Dartmouth ruled yesterday there is no valid
federal law in place governing simple possession of marijuana.

Judge Flora Buchan stayed charges against Paula Clarke, who was accused of
possessing a small amount of pot.

The judge cited recent cases in Prince Edward Island and Ontario, where
similar charges have been stayed.

She said citizens in Ontario and the Island are unlikely to be convicted of
simple possession, and people in Nova Scotia deserve equal treatment.

The controversy dates back to 2000, when the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled
the drug law violated the rights of a man who needed pot for medical reasons.

The court gave Parliament one year to revamp the law. Parliament has yet to
make the changes.