Pubdate: Fri, 13 Apr 2001
Source: Parksville Qualicum Beach News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 Parksville Qualicum Beach News
Contact:  http://www.mapinc.org/media/1361
Website: http://www.pqbnews.com/
Author: Adrienne Mercer

MEDICINAL POT USE COMES WITH PRICE TAG

A local man who gains relief from using marijuana for medicinal purposes is 
serving a 12 month sentence within the community for production of the 
substance.

In Parksville court Wednesday, Judge Carole Lazar heard details of the 
two-room grow operation Oceanside RCMP discovered at the man's home on the 
West Island Highway Jan. 25.

At the residence, police found a small vegetative and clone room, a bud 
room, and evidence of personal marijuana use.

The man's lawyer, Peter Avis, explained his client started using marijuana 
for pain in the 1980s, after a work-related back injury. Though he has a 
lengthy work history, he has been unemployed since 1992.

In addition to the year-long sentence - which allows the man to leave his 
home during court-determined hours for medical or employment reasons, or 
tasks such as shopping - he must complete 100 hours of community work service.

He may not possess any light bulbs greater than 250 watts, and is banned 
from possessing firearms, weapons or ammunition period. He will also 
forfeit all equipment and personal effects seized by the RCMP, save for a 
personal address book Lazar said will be returned.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D