CANADA CLOSE TO OKING MEDICINAL MARIJUANA

Canada's federal government has moved one step closer to permitting the use
of marijuana for medical purposes.

A measure calling for the legalization of pot for medical reasons passed
Tuesday night in the House of Commons.

The bill motion,tabled by an opposition party,calls on the government to
"take steps immediately" to develop clinical trials, guidelines for its use
and a safe supply of marijuana for people who need it for medical reasons.

Victims of AIDS and cancer have been lobbying for years for the right to
use marijuana as a pain killer and appetite stimulant.