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Medicinal pot stance a 'joke'
By: Canadian Press, The Calgary Sun (CN AB), 10/14/03

TRAIL, B.C. -- The federal government's handling of the medical marijuana debate in Canada has turned into a "joke," says a B.C. provincial court judge.

Judge Keith Libby made his observation during a sentencing hearing on Friday for a 37-year-old local man convicted of growing marijuana. Wayne Wilson was charged Jan. 30 after RCMP uncovered a marijuana grow operation in his home.

Libby said it has become difficult to rule in drug cases with the federal government and doctors in the middle of a long political debate.

"Prescription of marijuana is a hot political topic among the medical community," he said, adding that doctors are making it difficult to get information to base legal decisions.

"The whole concept of marijuana in this country has become a joke," he said.

Prime Minister Jean Chretien also set a poor example earlier in the week when he made an offhand remark about smoking marijuana after he retires, said Libby.

Wilson was handed a one-year conditional sentence, with terms including a curfew, 50 hours of community service and a 10-year weapons ban.