TEACHER WITH JOINT GETS OFF

OWEN SOUND, Ont. (CP) -- A high school teacher caught with a marijuana
cigarette in his jeans at school last year received a conditional discharge
yesterday after the judge found the drug is "something he requires."

Stephen Martin, 39, of Clarksburg, Ont., was ordered to keep the peace for
the next six months after pleading guilty yesterday to possessing marijuana
on Jan. 29, 2001.

Justice J. L. Getliffe said to convict Martin for what was an "extremely
small amount of marijuana ... would not be the way to go, in my view."

Martin requires the drug to deal with medical problems. Defence lawyer
Brian Barrie said conventional treatment has been ineffective.

Getliffe said it was important to note that since February 2001, Martin has
had no access to marijuana. Martin has continued to suffer from his medical
problems and consequently his condition has become worse.

Martin has applied for an exemption, which allows the medical use of
marijuana under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act with a doctor's
endorsement, but has not been granted it yet, Getliffe noted.

Martin lost five days pay after he was suspended from Georgian Bay
Secondary School in Meaford, Ont.