MEDICINAL POT ADVOCATE PLEADS FOR LEGALIZATION

An emotional Pete Young -- one of three people charged after a drug
bust at a so-called medicinal marijuana centre in London -- yesterday
called for support as he prepares for his court date on Friday.

Sitting at a picnic table on the Victoria Park bandshell stage, the
36-year-old fought back tears as he spoke to about 30 people, vowing
to continue the fight to help people who need marijuana for medical
reasons.

"I'm tired of seeing sick, dying people prosecuted for (something)
that the government has stated has medicinal values," he said.

Young, 36, owner of the Organic Traveller and a director of the London
Compassion Society, was charged last month with several drug-related
offences, including possession of marijuana for the purpose of
trafficking.

Also charged were Rob Newman an HIV-positive man, and Kurt
Fisher.

Police said they seized drugs worth nearly $1 million while raiding
four units at 343 Richmond St.

Young was disappointed that his court date is April 20 as that date
(4-20) is known to cannabis users as a communal day for pot-smoking
across North America.

"The crown found it adequate to put our court date on
4-20."

There are about 200 members of the London Compassion Society,
including Kris Morrow, 54, of Forest, who said he's appalled the men
were charged.

After much medical paperwork and on the advice of his doctor, Morrow
said he joined the society in 2005.

He said he soon found relief from the pain that ravages his body --
including behind his eyes and under his toenails -- after being
crushed between two vehicles in a workplace accident.

London Dan Springer, 41, who battles Crohn's disease, said he cried
for a week when he heard of the arrests.

"We're not a bunch of crooks. We're a lot of sick people."