Pubdate: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON) Copyright: 2000, Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: 333 King St. E., Toronto, Ontario M5A 3X5 Canada Fax: (416) 947-3228 Website: http://www.canoe.ca/TorontoSun/ Forum: http://www.canoe.ca/Chat/newsgroups.html Author: Michael Clement THE OTTAWA CONNECTION Jim Wakeford was back in court yesterday seeking a government-guaranteed supply of marijuana for him to use to treat his illness. Wakeford -- who has full-blown AIDS -- was the first awarded an exemption by the federal government in May 1999 to smoke pot for medicinal purposes. Since then, about 35 others have received similar exemptions from Ottawa. The Church St. man has unsuccessfully tried to cultivate his own pot and now he's asking Justice Blenus Wright for an order to compel Ottawa to see that a safe supply of the drug is provided. His lawyer, Alan Young, said he's seeking one of two things from the court. "Either give caregivers immunity, so the people who assist Jim in cultivating and selling to him will not be criminalized. Alternatively, the government should just take the necessary steps to discover a supplier source for him." Two of Wakeford's caregivers have already been charged by police, Young says. Wright reserved judgment, but promised to get the decision out "within reasonable time." - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk