Robert Celt
New Member
Calgary police have charged a B.C. marijuana activist with drug trafficking in connection to a pro-legalization rally held in the city on Wednesday night.
Police attended a cannabis rally at a hotel in the 3800 block of Macleod Trail at about 8:30 p.m. and say an organizer of the event started distributing marijuana seeds to members of the audience despite their presence.
"Everybody has the right to have a peaceful demonstration and a conversation and so we allowed that process to take place and then as that process took place, we recognized that the seeds that were being trafficked essentially, it was articulated that they were in fact marijuana seeds and then as more and more information came to light, then officers took the actions that they did," said Inspector Mike Bossley, of the Investigative Operations Section.
A man then went outside to retrieve more seeds from a van and he was arrested and taken into custody.
Police say they then spoke to the rally organizer who continued to hand out the seeds. He was also placed under arrest without incident.
Dana Larsen, 44, of Vancouver, is charged with one count of trafficking marijuana and one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking.
"He continued to traffic the marijuana seeds to members of the event," said Bossley. "He was openly trafficking marijuana seeds. It's not really a gray area for us when it comes to trafficking,"
The man who was initially arrested was released without charges.
The van, owned by the organizer, was searched and police seized:
According to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, no person shall traffic in an illegal substance such as cannabis regardless of whether payment is provided.
Supporters of Larsen were quick to protest his arrest on Wednesday night.
"There's lots of support here in Calgary," said Cindy Heemeryck.
"I think there are a lot of people that are against it and this is a good way for me to inform them about what cannabis really does to people. They just think it gets you stoned, that's not what it is," said Sebastian Campbell.
Larsen says he will continue with his tour despite being arrested and will make a stop in Edmonton on Thursday night.
"We are going to be giving away more seeds. We will make change together."
Larsen was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on May 18.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: B.C. Cannabis Activist Charged With Drug Trafficking In Calgary
Author: CTV Calgary Staff
Contact: CTV News
Photo Credit: CBC
Website: CTV News
Police attended a cannabis rally at a hotel in the 3800 block of Macleod Trail at about 8:30 p.m. and say an organizer of the event started distributing marijuana seeds to members of the audience despite their presence.
"Everybody has the right to have a peaceful demonstration and a conversation and so we allowed that process to take place and then as that process took place, we recognized that the seeds that were being trafficked essentially, it was articulated that they were in fact marijuana seeds and then as more and more information came to light, then officers took the actions that they did," said Inspector Mike Bossley, of the Investigative Operations Section.
A man then went outside to retrieve more seeds from a van and he was arrested and taken into custody.
Police say they then spoke to the rally organizer who continued to hand out the seeds. He was also placed under arrest without incident.
Dana Larsen, 44, of Vancouver, is charged with one count of trafficking marijuana and one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking.
"He continued to traffic the marijuana seeds to members of the event," said Bossley. "He was openly trafficking marijuana seeds. It's not really a gray area for us when it comes to trafficking,"
The man who was initially arrested was released without charges.
The van, owned by the organizer, was searched and police seized:
- 119 grams of marijuana (worth about $1,190)
- 1,097 grams of marijuana seeds (worth approximately $30,000)
- a small amount of cannabis resin and oil
According to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, no person shall traffic in an illegal substance such as cannabis regardless of whether payment is provided.
Supporters of Larsen were quick to protest his arrest on Wednesday night.
"There's lots of support here in Calgary," said Cindy Heemeryck.
"I think there are a lot of people that are against it and this is a good way for me to inform them about what cannabis really does to people. They just think it gets you stoned, that's not what it is," said Sebastian Campbell.
Larsen says he will continue with his tour despite being arrested and will make a stop in Edmonton on Thursday night.
"We are going to be giving away more seeds. We will make change together."
Larsen was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in court on May 18.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: B.C. Cannabis Activist Charged With Drug Trafficking In Calgary
Author: CTV Calgary Staff
Contact: CTV News
Photo Credit: CBC
Website: CTV News
