Pubdate: Sat, 02 Sep 2017
Source: London Free Press (CN ON)
Copyright: 2017 The London Free Press
Contact: http://www.lfpress.com/letters
Website: http://www.lfpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/243
Author: Daniela Germano
Page: A7

POT PROTESTER STRIPS DOWN TO HIS LEGAL BRIEFS

A Cambridge man is resorting to partial nudity to get his bong and
medical marijuana back from local police.

Wearing nothing but socks, running shoes and a pair of brightly
coloured briefs, 31-year-old Jeffrey Shaver has been protesting
sporadically outside the Kitchener courthouse and various police
stations in the region for two weeks while smoking a bong.

Beside the man are usually two signs, reading "Return My Bong" and
"Return My Marijuana."

Shaver said he is a registered medical marijuana user, but was
arrested by Waterloo regional police in October for possessing marijuana.

"The police aren't really familiar with the law, but they are charging
you under it anyway," Shaver said, adding that police seized about two
grams of pot and a bong from him.

Shaver - who said he smokes pot to treat anxiety, depression and back
pain - said initially he started smoking a bong, while fully clothed,
outside police stations in the area in protest a few days after the
arrest. He then took his protest to the regional courthouse in
Kitchener and the police station nearby.

"I've been at the courthouse for the past four months or so,
protesting - of course with clothes on - in the smoking section,"
Shaver said. "My case hadn't been getting traction."

He then decided to strip down to his underwear two weeks ago to call
more attention to his case.

"One of the good things about getting this attention is a lot of other
medical marijuana patients have gotten a hold of me," he said, adding
some of them are planning a group protest soon.

Shaver said he also has filed a complaint about his arrest with the
Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD), which
oversees all complaints about police in Ontario.

Waterloo regional police said in a statement they are reviewing the
circumstances of Shaver's claim and have received the registered
complaint from the OIPRD.

"The services will connect with Mr. Shaver upon conclusion of the
review in an attempt to address his concerns and resolve the issue,"
Insp. Mike Haffner said by email. "We appreciate Mr. Shaver's
frustrations and want to assure him that his concerns are being looked
at and will be addressed."
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MAP posted-by: Matt