Pot activist to set up foundation

A day after he was acquitted of drug trafficking charges, Calgary's
medicinal marijuana crusader was opening a research network to distribute
the drug and study its effects.

"It's going to be a public, non-profit organization; the (registration)
papers have already been sent to the government," Grant Krieger said Thursday.

The Grant W. Krieger Cannabis Research Foundation is hoping to link up with
the likes of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and Epilepsy Canada.

Dave Johnson, president of the MS society's Alberta division said this was
the first he heard of the idea.

"We would certainly support more research into the use of marijuana." said
Johnson.

That doesn't mean the society will become a part of the foundation, just
that Johnson believes it may be time to examine the drug's benefit for MS
sufferers.

"All there is right now is anecdotal evidence."

In addition to providing marijuana to those stricken with a variety of
ailments, Krieger said the plan is to study the medicinal benefits of the
more than 1,500 types of cannabis.

It will also focus on how the different types respond to different
cultivation methods.

Krieger, an MS sufferer, explained the intention is to form a database
listing various symptoms and which type of pot can be used to alleviate them.

He estimated he already ships marijuana to more than 100 people across the
country and has a multitude of plants growing at several locations.

And while what he is doing is still considered drug trafficking - a
Criminal Code offence that carries a prison term - the 47-year-old said he
has no intention of stopping.

"I am going to push the envelope right until it collapses," he said.

Krieger was acquitted Wednesday of a similar charge of possession of
marijuana for the purpose of trafficking.

He was charged with the offence when police went to his Bowness home
Aug.25, 1999 and found a 29-plant grow operation.

Staff Sgt. Roger Chaffin of the city police said the Krieger verdict won't
change the way the drug unit does its job and officers will continue
enforcing pot laws as long as they're on the books.

"We'll continue to investigate these matters as they come to us," said Chaffin.

"The (Krieger) case is confined to its own particular facts," he added.

"If another issue arises with Mr. Krieger, we'll look at that based on its
own merits."

`Krieger said he'll to(sic) fly to Winnipeg next week, adding he intends to
bring cannabis butter and marijuana with him when he boards the plane Monday.

The reason for the visit is to set up a foundation office and to visit his
61-year-old brother who is dying of lung cancer.

"I am going to provide him with aid," said Krieger


Newshawk: The Cannabis Link http://www.drugsense.org/tcl
Pubdate: Fri, 22 June 2001
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2001 Calgary Herald
Contact: letters@theherald.southam.ca
Address: P.O. Box 2400, Stn. M, Calgary, Alberta T2P 0W8
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Author: Shelley Knapp