Pubdate: Fri, 09 Oct 2015
Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Vancouver 24 hrs.
Contact: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/letters
Website: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837
Author: Tracy McLaughlin
Page: 10

'DOES THIS MAKE ANY SENSE?'

A huge undercover police sting in Newmarket Ont., that saw a medical
pot-grower dragged through the courts for two years ended with a grand
slam in court Thursday - a $10 fine.

"This is ludicrous," an exasperated Clifford Dawson said outside
court. "This cost the taxpayers millions and two years of my life. All
for $10? Does this make any sense?"

Dawson, 34, of Innisfil, who walks with a cane and suffers from
scoliosis, pleaded guilty to production of marijuana.

"I am satisfied with the joint submission by both counsel fora $10
fine,"said Judge Mary Vallee, who also took into consideration the
length of time Dawson has been on bail since his arrest on Dec. 18,
2013.

Dawson had a licence to produce marijuana, which he used to make a
topical ointment for pain, but he was only allowed to grow 50 plants
at a time and was busted with 150 plants.

He explained the growing cycle has three stages from seedling to plant
to flower, and he had about 50 plants in each batch.

"It's how the herb is farmed," he said. "I'm not a drug user - I don't
even smoke the stuff."

Two years ago, 30 armed tactical officers woke up Dawson in his home,
put him facedown and cuffed him while aiming guns at his head.

"They had assault rifles pointed at my pregnant wife," Dawson said.
"It was terrifying."

Since then he's spent thousands in legal fees. His lawyer, Margaret
Osadet, says the cost of the seven-week undercover operation, which
included tactical and intelligence officers from OPP, Barrie and South
Simcoe police, combined with two years in the courts, would be in the
millions.
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MAP posted-by: Matt