WE'RE NOT IN POT BIZ, OTTAWA INSISTS

Ottawa does not want to become the nation's pot pusher, federal lawyers
argued yesterday in Ontario Superior Court.

The federal government had a chance to present its side of an application
by medical marijuana users that would force the federal government to
supply them with pot.

Eight people applied in September to the Ontario Superior Court to overturn
the Marijuana Medical Access Regulations and the section of the Controlled
Drugs and Substances Act that prohibits possession of grass.

HOMEGROWN

Government lawyer Lara Speirs said the federal government does not supply
anyone with drugs and allows approved medical marijuana users to grow
marijuana themselves or find someone allowed to grow it on their behalf.

Lawyers for the pot smokers had earlier argued the act's regulations are
not constitutional because they restrict their access to a safe supply of a
drug that they need.

They also asked the court for an order that would force Ottawa to dole out
research dope it is growing in Manitoba.

DIFFICULT

Speirs admitted finding approved growers and distributors of medical
marijuana is difficult.

"It's not a perfect system," she said, adding there was no evidence any of
the applicants have tried to contact someone approved to grow pot for them.

"There is a regulatory process in place that has been completely ignored by
the applicants," she said. "To have marijuana for research is far different
from distributing marijuana to the applicants. Health Canada is not
providing drugs to anyone."