T
The420Guy
Guest
CALGARY -- Grant Krieger is in the joint this morning - but his
joints aren't.
The multiple sclerosis sufferer - who has fought to allow the sick to
possess and use marijuana - began serving a 33-day jail sentence
yesterday.
But the three ounces of marijuana he'd brought with him to ease his
pain were turned away from the Calgary Remand Centre, even though last
month a judge ruled Krieger could grow and use pot to ease his pain.
"I'm like Daniel walking into the lion's den with three ounces with
me," said the gaunt 46-year-old before giving himself up at a police
office.
Krieger plans to sue after being denied his marijuana in jail. He said
it eases his suffering with fewer side effects than pharmaceuticals
and allows him to walk.
"If they take it away from me it would be inhumane," he said.
Krieger signed the papers yesterday to begin serving 22 days in lieu
of $1,200 in fines for probation breaches.
But officials realized he had another $550 fine for smoking a joint on
the courthouse steps.
He said he can't afford to pay the fines, so is going to jail instead
for a total of 33 days. He could be out early, as soon as 11 days.
"Hon, you'll call?" his wife Marie said, as he gave her one last hug
and kiss before giving himself up.
Arrest processing unit Staff Sgt. Pat Larabie said federal prosecutors
told police not to arrest Krieger, despite the amount of weed he
openly brought with him.
Instead police drove Krieger and his pot to jail, knowing it would be
denied at the door.
"The only alternative we have is to keep it here for him when he gets
back," said Larabie.
Alberta Justice spokesman Bart Johnson said officials saw no reason to
make an exception for Krieger, and added they're not worried about a
lawsuit.
"We've had a legal opinion from our own civil lawyers. Our conclusion
is although he may have a right to possess marijuana for medical
purposes, it's not his constitutional right to possess marijuana in a
correctional facility," said Johnson.
He said pot would create security concerns in jail - the same way
alcohol, knives and guns aren't allowed in. But Johnson said jail
officials are aware of Krieger's condition and will dispense medicines
as needed.
Newshawk: creator@mapinc.org
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2000, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact: sun.letters@ccinet.ab.ca
Website: Canoe.Com
Pubdate: Tuesday, January 23, 2001
Author: Nova Pierson
joints aren't.
The multiple sclerosis sufferer - who has fought to allow the sick to
possess and use marijuana - began serving a 33-day jail sentence
yesterday.
But the three ounces of marijuana he'd brought with him to ease his
pain were turned away from the Calgary Remand Centre, even though last
month a judge ruled Krieger could grow and use pot to ease his pain.
"I'm like Daniel walking into the lion's den with three ounces with
me," said the gaunt 46-year-old before giving himself up at a police
office.
Krieger plans to sue after being denied his marijuana in jail. He said
it eases his suffering with fewer side effects than pharmaceuticals
and allows him to walk.
"If they take it away from me it would be inhumane," he said.
Krieger signed the papers yesterday to begin serving 22 days in lieu
of $1,200 in fines for probation breaches.
But officials realized he had another $550 fine for smoking a joint on
the courthouse steps.
He said he can't afford to pay the fines, so is going to jail instead
for a total of 33 days. He could be out early, as soon as 11 days.
"Hon, you'll call?" his wife Marie said, as he gave her one last hug
and kiss before giving himself up.
Arrest processing unit Staff Sgt. Pat Larabie said federal prosecutors
told police not to arrest Krieger, despite the amount of weed he
openly brought with him.
Instead police drove Krieger and his pot to jail, knowing it would be
denied at the door.
"The only alternative we have is to keep it here for him when he gets
back," said Larabie.
Alberta Justice spokesman Bart Johnson said officials saw no reason to
make an exception for Krieger, and added they're not worried about a
lawsuit.
"We've had a legal opinion from our own civil lawyers. Our conclusion
is although he may have a right to possess marijuana for medical
purposes, it's not his constitutional right to possess marijuana in a
correctional facility," said Johnson.
He said pot would create security concerns in jail - the same way
alcohol, knives and guns aren't allowed in. But Johnson said jail
officials are aware of Krieger's condition and will dispense medicines
as needed.
Newshawk: creator@mapinc.org
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2000, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact: sun.letters@ccinet.ab.ca
Website: Canoe.Com
Pubdate: Tuesday, January 23, 2001
Author: Nova Pierson