Pubdate: Tue, 13 May 2003
Source: Northern Life (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003 Northern Life
Contact:  http://www.northernlife.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2396
Author: Keith Lacey

`POT' PATIENT SPARED JAIL

An injured construction worker who grew marijuana plants to ease his 
physical pain has been spared a jail sentence.

Justice Guy Mahaffy said he doesn't normally agree to conditional sentences 
for people caught growing large amounts of pot.

However, he agreed to sentence Lawrence Desabrais, 47, to house arrest for 
six months Tuesday because he was convinced the accused did not profit in 
any way from the plants.

A pre-sentence report indicated Desabrais, who has no previous criminal 
record, only smoked marijuana to ease physical pain. When police raided 
Desabrais' home last May 24, they found 28 marijuana plants with a street 
value of several thousand dollars.

Defence counsel Donald Plaunt told the court Desabrais would be a strong 
candidate for a medical marijuana exemption from the federal government, 
but he never applied.

His client was severely disabled in a construction accident more than 20 
years ago and suffers from a myriad of physical difficulties that cause him 
to be in constant pain.

His client has tried many different medications, but found marijuana to be 
highly effective. He grew the plants so he could have his own stash to 
smoke to ease his pain, said Plaunt.

Because there was such a large amount found, a jail sentence is mandatory, 
even for a first-time offender, but sentencing his client, in all the 
circumstances, to a conditional sentence to be served in the community, is 
the appropriate sentence, said Plaunt.

The pre-sentence report also indicated Desabrais has had a terrible string 
of bad luck in recent years, not only because his serious injuries are 
getting worse, but he's also lost his house due to a fire and has been 
forced to live in a small trailer in his parents' backyard.

The sentence includes a nightly curfew and order that Desabrais not leave 
his parents' property at any time except to attend medical, dental or legal 
appointments and five hours on Saturday to purchase the necessities of life.

Mahaffy also ordered Desabrais to not associate with anyone with a known 
drug record, access any drug counselling or assessment his probation 
officer might recommend and implemented a mandatory 10-year weapons prohibition.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart