Pubdate: Thu, 29 Jul 2010 Source: Guelph Mercury (CN ON) Copyright: 2010 Guelph Mercury Newspapers Limited Contact: http://news.guelphmercury.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1418 Author: Thana Dharmarajah ONE POT CLUB RAID CASE WITHDRAWN GUELPH - The Crown has withdrawn its case against one of four people charged with drug trafficking when a Guelph compassion club was raided by police this spring. On May 6, 31-year-old Nicole Freeborn was arrested and charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking after city police searched the Medical Cannabis Club of Guelph on Baker Street, as well as five other addresses on Dublin Street, London Road, Arrow Road and Quebec Street. The club's founder and two others were also arrested and charged with trafficking on the same day. Earlier this week, the charge against Freeborn was withdrawn by federal prosecutor David Doney. Doney couldn't be reached for comment Thursday. Freeborn's fiance Rade Kovacevic, the club's founder, said the charge against his fiancee shouldn't have been laid in the first place. "Since Day 1, I have said that it was my marijuana because I had a medical prescription," he said Thursday, adding police charged Freeborn after they found marijuana in their home. Toronto lawyer Ron Marzel, who along with his colleague Alan Young is representing the group charged, said the charge against Freeman was dropped following negotiations with the Crown. "(Nicole) has disavowed any ownership of the marijuana and the Crown has graciously withdrawn the charges," Marzel said. At the locations Guelph Police raided, they recovered more than 20 kilograms of dried marijuana as well as several vials of ground marijuana, 258 marijuana plants, a quantity of marijuana-laced muffins, scones, cakes and cookies and more than $10,000 cash. Police estimated the value of seized drug items at in excess of $100,000. "I am happy that they have acknowledged that she had nothing to do with the case," Kovacevic said about Freeborn. Kovacevic was charged with four counts of trafficking marijuana, two counts of trafficking hashish, two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking and one count of drug production. His charges, along with charges against two other co-accused, Eitan Gallant and Scott Gilbert, are before the courts. They are still awaiting further disclosure from the Crown and are to return to court Sept. 13. Gallant was charged with two counts of trafficking marijuana, one count of trafficking hashish, one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking and one count of drug production. Gilbert was charged with four counts of trafficking marijuana, two counts of trafficking hashish, one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking and one count of drug production. While awaiting the court's decision, Kovacevic keeps the compassion club's doors open. However, instead of selling marijuana, the club is selling hemp soaps, bags, hats, clothing and vaporizers to pay the rent. "We are nowhere close to paying the bills . I am in extreme debt." The club is also matching up Health Canada-designated growers with patients in search of medical marijuana and is renting out space for people to meet and exchange marijuana. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D