LOCAL MAN CAN LIGHT UP LEGALLY FOR SIX MORE MONTHS

It's a small victory in Eric Young's battle to legally smoke marijuana for
medicinal reasons, but the Saanich resident will take it nonetheless.

On Thursday, the federal government granted Young permission to use
marijuana to manage symptoms of his multiple sclerosis. That permission was
due to expire today, (Sept. 11).

If the federal government hadn't extended it for six months, Young and his
lawyer, Lloyd Duhaime, had planned to attend an emergency session of BC
Supreme Court Friday to persuade the courts to allow Young to continue
sparking up his marijuana cigarettes.

"The government blinked first," Duhaime told the News Friday. "It is
unfortunate it happened a the 11th hour. Eric was told a week ago that
(permission) wouldn't happen and then the afternoon before they give him
the go-ahead. It shouldn't have been necessary, they should have done what
was right in the first place."

Duhaime argues that the government's sudden change of heart placed his
client in undue stress.

"It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. It's unfortunate," said Duhaime, who
is also representing Young in his legal challenge with both the provincial
and federal governments, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Duhaime and Young allege that the college is failing to prescribe marijuana
as mandated by recent federal government legislation, and as such are
depriving him of his legal right to consume the medication of his choice.

The current legislation stipulates that a specialist must issue a
prescription for marijuana, but Duhaime says the college has not empowered
any of its physicians to do so.

Still, Duhaime says that he knows of several British Columbians who have
managed to obtain permission to smoke pot from specialists within BC.

For the time being at least, Young takes comfort in the fact that he can
light up his marijuana cigarettes for the next six months.

"Really, I'm happy we got the exception," Young says. "To know (the
exemption) is expiring is a horrible feeling. It makes a world of
difference for me. It means that I can continue my treatment for another
six months."

Young vows to continue his legal battle with the province, Ottawa, and
physicians until it is easier for people who suffer health problems like he
does to legally consume marijuana.

"I think it's unduly politicized - there's too much politics. From a
medical point of view, from an unbiased point of view, there's overwhelming
evidence supporting its use," insists Young.