TOP COURT CHALLENGE IN WORKS

Marijuana users who claim the drug is harmless will have their chance to
sway Canada's top judges on Dec. 13 - a Friday.

Lawyers for three convicted pot smokers will argue that a federal law
banning possession of the fiercely debated herb for personal use is
unconstitutional.

The high court ruling on pot laws won't likely come until several months
after its December hearing.

The appeal covers three cases involving Chris Clay of London, Ont., David
Malmo-Levine of Vancouver and Victor Eugene Caine of Langley, B.C.

All three men argue that pot, if properly grown and used, is harmless.
Moreover, they say, laws prohibiting its personal use infringe on the right
to life, liberty and security of the person guaranteed by the Charter of
Rights and Freedoms.

The public is still "massively misinformed as a result primarily of police
propaganda," adds Vancouver lawyer John Conroy, who is acting in the case.

Conroy added that "politicians will wait to see what the court says" before
acting on the issue.

That way, the U.S. government - which is strongly opposed to legalization -
can be told a court-mandated constitutional change forced the issue, Conroy
said.