Pubdate: Wed, 06 Feb 2008
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2008 The Windsor Star
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: Star News Services

POT SMOKER WINS HUMAN RIGHTS HEARING

BURLINGTON - An Ontario man who was told he wasn't allowed to smoke 
medical marijuana outside a local sports bar has been granted a 
hearing at the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, one of the first 
cases of its kind in Canadian history.

Steve Gibson, a father of two, is claiming he was discriminated 
against because of his disability after he was barred from Gator 
Ted's Tap and Grill in Burlington, in May 2005 for smoking marijuana 
by the restaurant's front door. He had been a patron at the bar for 12 years.

"The problem is that I'm not allowed to smoke where other people are 
allowed to smoke (cigarettes)," he said Tuesday from his Burlington 
home, about 60 kilometres west of Toronto.

Three years ago, Gibson was told by the owner of his local family 
sports bar that he had to be about 30 metres away from the eatery's 
front door while smoking because the marijuana was bothering other 
customers, including children.

Gibson, who is one of more than 2,000 Canadians who has a licence to 
use marijuana for medical purposes, regularly lights the bud to 
alleviate pain he has from a neck injury.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart