LOCAL JUDGE DOESN'T BUY PLEA TO STAY DRUG CHARGES

A Sault Ste. Marie judge refused Wednesday to stay drug possession charges
against a Wisconsin man who says he had the narcotics for religious purposes.

Generik Broderick, 42, asked the court to stay the three counts pending the
outcome of an appeal of a Hamilton, Ont. case involving a fellow member of
his church.

Broderick, of Mount Horeb, Wisc., was arrested March 14 when he tried to
enter Canada at the International Bridge.

He was charged with possession of marijuana, ecstasy and LSD.

Broderick, who referred to himself as reverend brother, told Ontario Court
Justice Wayne Cohen he is an ordained minister with the Assembly of the
Church of the Universe.

His church considers marijuana a sacrament, he said, and uses the cannabis,
and other two narcotics in religious ceremonies

Special prosecutor Marty Pawelek argued against the stay, saying the appeal
of the other case is just in its preliminary stages and would not be heard
by the federal court until 2003.

Describing it as a "very interesting situation,'' Cohen said he felt the
case should go to trial as soon as possible.

A trial date will be set June 3.