Pubdate: Wed, 12 Oct 2005
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoria/timescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Richard Watts
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

POLICE BRING THC-LACED COOKIES TO TRAFFICKING TRIAL OF POT ACTIVIST

Chocolate chip cookies -- five years old and covered with mould -- 
were entered as evidence in the trial of Ted Smith, a marijuana activist.

The cookies, 383 of them, were seized as evidence on Nov. 15, 2000, 
when police arrested Smith, a B.C. Supreme Court jury heard Tuesday.

Smith, 36, is on trial facing a charge of possession of 
tetrahydrocannabinol (the substance commonly known as THC) for the 
purpose of trafficking.

Victoria Police Const. Colin Ash brought the cookies, which he 
estimated weighed 40 to 50 pounds, into court inside several cardboard boxes.

Ash donned gloves to remove one cookie to show the 11 women and one 
man of the jury, and it was covered in mould.

Ash also introduced certificates of laboratory analysis by Health 
Canada showing the cookies contained THC.

Sgt. Darren Laur testified the investigation began when an officer 
showed him an article in the Victoria News talking of an upcoming 
giveaway of a pot cookies.

Laur testified he and other members of the police mountain bike squad 
had the library staked out when, shortly before noon, Smith showed 
up. He said he watched Smith get out of the vehicle unloading two 
bags. Then he removed a cooking pot, overflowing with cookies, 
clearly visible underneath the lid.

"There was a mound of cookies with the lid on top," said Laur.

On getting a good look at the cookies, Laur said he moved in and 
arrested Smith.

Laur testified he later asked Smith how much marijuana he used to 
make the cookies and was told two ounces.

Also testifying Tuesday was Province reporter Matthew Ramsey who, in 
2000, was a reporter with the Victoria News.

Ramsey said he took a call from Smith, who told him he planned on 
handing out pot cookies at an upcoming demonstration. Ramsey wrote a 
story in advance of the event.

Ramsey said he had had interviewed and written about Smith several 
times and described him as an outgoing, personable spokesman for a 
group he remembered as the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Compassion Club.

"I would describe him as a true believer for his cause," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman