ONT. JUDGE PERMITS POT ADVOCATES TO KEEP HEMP HATS ON IN COURT

HAMILTON (CP) - A judge has allowed two advocates for the legalization of
marijuana to wear their colourful hemp-woven hats in court because it is
the "regalia of their religion."

Superior Court Judge Thomas Lofchik said Monday he would also agree to the
requests of Michael J. Baldasaro and Walter A. Tucker to be addressed as
"reverends." The two Church of the Universe clerics are acting as their own
lawyers in a lawsuit against the owners of a shopping mall.

They are seeking damages from Cadillac Fairview Corporation Ltd. and claim
they were assaulted and humiliated when detained by mall security officials
on Nov. 25, 2000.

It was just days before the federal election and Baldasaro was a candidate
in the Hamilton East riding.

In a statement of claim, Baldasaro says he was handcuffed and dragged away
before a crowd by security guards.

Juror selection for the civil trial got under way Monday and several
prospective jurors were sternly instructed to remove their hats by court
attendants.