FEDS ROLL OUT APPEAL ON POT RULING

OTTAWA -- The federal government has filed an appeal of an Ontario
court decision that ruled there are no laws forbidding the possession
of small amounts of pot.

Jim Leising, the Justice Department's director of prosecution in the
province, confirmed yesterday the federal government is appealing so
the laws surrounding possession of pot for recreational use will be
clarified.

"We're hoping the appeal will be heard quickly," said
Leising.

"Whatever uncertainty that was created by this judgment would be
cleared up, and that would mean everyone would be in agreement that
the prohibition against possession of marijuana is valid."

Justice Douglas Phillips threw out charges against a 16-year-old
Windsor, Ont., teen Wednesday, siding with the defence lawyer's
argument there are no laws in Canada prohibiting the possession of 30
grams of pot or less.

The defence also argued that the feds failed to deal with a two-year
ruling from the Ontario Court of Appeal which backed Terry Parker's
right to smoke pot for medicinal purposes.

Ottawa's response to the Parker ruling was the Marijuana Medical
Access Regulations, which give the green light to Canadians to smoke
and possess pot for medical reasons under specific circumstances.