Pubdate: Wed, 19 Dec 2001
Source: Independent, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2001 Conolly Publishing Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.eastnorthumberland.com/thisweek.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1596
Author: Tom Philp

B.C. CASE PROVIDES HOPE TO LOCAL MARIJUANA GROWER

A recent decision in a British Columbia court may strengthen the position 
of a Cramahe Township woman charged with cultivating marijuana.

RCMP officers seized 1,000 grams of marijuana, 28 marijuana plants, growing 
equipment, computers and personal files during a November 9 raid on the 
British Columbia home of Jim Wakeford.

Wakeford, an AIDS patient, made Canadian history in 1999 when he became one 
of the first two people granted a medical marijuana exemption under Health 
Canada drug regulations.

Local grower Dianne Bruce was arrested at her Cramahe home on October 19 
and charged with cultivating marijuana for the purpose of trafficking the 
drug. Bruce (whose story was featured in the October 10 edition of The 
Independent) has maintained that more than 40 exemptees, like Wakeford, had 
contracted with her to grow their "medicine."

In a landmark decision December13, B.C. Provin-cial Court Judge Dan Moon 
ordered police to return 315 grams of medicinal marijuana, and other items 
taken from his home, to Wakeford.

The judge instructed police to comply with his order within 30 days.

In a recent telephone interview, Bruce said she was "excited and 
encouraged" by the B.C. decision.

"When I go back to court early in the new year, my lawyer will be 
presenting this information to the judge," she said. "Maybe, like Jim, I 
can get my stuff back."

Bruce said she will advise Northumberland MP Paul Macklin about the 
Wakeford case when she meets with him December 19.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom