Pubdate: Thu, 28 May 2009
Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Abbotsford News
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/BkAJKrUD
Website: http://www.abbynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155
Author: Rochelle Baker
Bookmark: http://mapinc.org/people/Tim+Felger

POT ACTIVIST OUT ON BAIL

Abbotsford marijuana activist Tim Felger is out on bail following 
recent drug charges for allegedly selling pot to teens out of his 
downtown store.

Felger was released from custody Monday afternoon.

The Abbotsford drug squad raided the Da Kine shop on Essendene Avenue 
on May 13.

Felger was charged with one count of possession of marijuana for the 
purpose of trafficking, and six counts of trafficking.

The infamous Da Kine store, which sells drug paraphernalia, is 
plastered with signs decrying the drug war and calling for an end to 
drug prohibition.

Felger has staged numerous marijuana smoke-ins at the store and in 
local parks over the years.

Calling for the legalization and regulation of drugs, he has made 
unsuccessful runs for political office as an independent candidate in 
municipal, provincial and federal elections on more than 10 
occasions. Felger has been charged and convicted of drug offences on 
a number of previous occasions.

He was first charged with the production and possession of marijuana 
for the purposes of trafficking in January 1999. Those charges were stayed.

In January 2002, police raided his Bradner Road property and 
discoverd almost 3,000 pot plants.

Felger was charged with the production of marijuana, and possession 
for purposes of trafficking.

He eventually pleaded guilty to the production charge and served six 
months in jail.

In May 2003 he was charged with production, possession for 
trafficking and two weapons charges. All charges were stayed.

However, some charges stuck following another bust at his Bradner 
Road home in January 2005, when police seized more than 2,000 marijuana plants.

Felger was convicted of production of marijuana for what he claimed 
was a medical grow and was ordered to pay a $210,000 fine.

He's also had his licence suspended on two occasions, once for 
failing to provide a breath sample and once for driving a vehicle 
while disqualified.

In addition to his most recent drug charges, Felger is still facing 
two counts of assault after getting into an altercation with two 
17-year-old Yale Secondary students while handing out literature 
outside the school last April.

He is next scheduled to appear on the most recent drug charges in 
Abbotsford Provincial Court June 1. One of the conditions of Felger's 
release is he cannot associate or have contact with children under 
the age of 19.

On Tuesday, Felger remained defiant, despite the new charges against him.

"Them arresting me changes absolutely nothing. I'm not going to go 
away," he said.

"I can't quit trying to bring information forward that drug 
prohibition is damaging our community because it goes to the very 
soul of who I am."

Felger said youth are sympathetic to his legalization cause.

"Kids I talk to say 'we're tired of drug prohibition and the shooting 
of our friends.'"

"These kids, who are 16, do not like the drug war being put upon 
them. In 2011, when I run for office again, they will not only vote 
for me but work for my campaign."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom