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Pot Centre Opens
Pubdate: Fri, 09 Jan 2004
Source: Regina Leader-Post (CN SN)
Copyright: 2004 The Leader-Post Ltd.
Contact: http://www.canada.com/regina/leaderpost/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/361
Author: Sheri Block
POT CENTRE OPENS
A well-known medicinal marijuana crusader has defied the law yet again and
opened a cannabis distribution centre in Regina.
Grant Krieger, a former longtime Saskatchewan resident with a history of
arrests and convictions over his marijuana use, opened a branch of the
Krieger Foundation -- which supplies marijuana to people with proven
medical conditions -- in August.
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled on Dec. 23, 2003 that Krieger, who
suffers from progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), is legally entitled to
produce and consume marijuana for himself, but cannot distribute it to others.
Krieger, who was arrested in Winnipeg Wednesday night for possession and is
now out on bail, said if he doesn't provide the marijuana, his clients will
be forced to get it on the streets.
"We don't go to bars, we don't hang around school yards. We go visit people
sitting in wheelchairs and beds," said Krieger, who has seven other
branches across Western Canada.
Under Health Canada's Marijuana Medical Access Regulations, a person is
only entitled to legally possess marijuana with an authorized licence.
To qualify, a person must be suffering from a terminal illness or suffering
from specific symptoms associated with certain serious medical conditions.
A physician's signature, declaring that other treatments have been
unsuccessful, is also necessary.
Once licensed, a person can obtain the marijuana by growing their own
supply, designating someone else to grow it for them or receive it directly
from Health Canada's official supplier in Flin Flon, Man.
The location of the centre is hidden, but application forms are available
at various sites around the city, including the Mental Health Society and
MS Society.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman