cannabisnews.com: Pot Ruling Not High on Activist's Wish List





Pot Ruling Not High on Activist's Wish List
Posted by CN Staff on July 18, 2002 at 11:12:58 PT
By Licia Corbella, Editor
Source: Calgary Sun
You would think that Calgary's best-known cannabis crusader, Grant Krieger, would be thrilled about recent rumblings by the feds about decriminalizing marijuana. But no. Krieger is, in fact, furious. He talks to me as he drives calmly down Hwy. 22X running an errand for his wife, Marie. The married couple are flat broke as a result of all of the legal hassles and police raids he's been through -- and all of the sick people, like himself, he feels compelled to help. 
"To hell with all of the recreational smokers. The government should do something for the sick people -- the medicinal users," says Krieger, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, and as a result of his use of marijuana no longer needs a wheelchair and suffers much less pain and spasms than he did before he discovered "this miracle plant." "The federal government needs to get its priorities straight. I've been fighting for the right to access to my medicine for seven years and the federal government is still just toying with ideas," Krieger complains. Frankly, Krieger, whom I've known for several years now, is more down than I've ever seen him. "I'm just worn out -- they've just ground me down," he says, dejectedly. The run-down car he has been borrowing from his niece was rear-ended last week, and he is suffering pain as a result. The 1991 five-speed car has only three gears that work, and he has $300 in bail money being held by the courts, and $5,000 worth of marijuana and scales being held by the Calgary police. That's on top of $30,000 worth of cultivation equipment the police seized and that he still owes $20,000 on. "I'm so close to throwing my hands up in the air and saying, 'I quit,' " says Krieger, who currently helps more that 125 people suffering from chronic illnesses, like MS, AIDS, cancer, hepatitis C and Parkinson's by supplying them with non-profit, organically grown medicinal marijuana. "I'm just exhausted," Krieger says. "And this news just ticks me off." The news he's talking about is the announcement by federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon, who said Canada is seriously considering decriminalizing marijuana possession. The move, if undertaken, would mean handing small-time users a fine akin to a parking ticket, rather than arresting and charging them with a criminal offence and pushing them through the court system. Not a bad idea, but Krieger is right. First things first. Let's provide some relief to severely sick and dying people first. This is their medicine we're talking about and not some cheap thrill or high. This mythically maligned herb provides relief to thousands of Canadians who have Section 56 exemptions from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act but have no legal means of procuring marijuana legally. Krieger has attempted to be that legal outlet for more than 100 Calgarians, but the police and the courts keep cutting down his court-allowed grow operations and seizing all of his equipment. "I just can't take it anymore," Krieger says. But he has a lot more to take. On Dec. 4. the provincial government is appealing last June's groundbreaking ruling by 12 Calgary jurors that acquitted Krieger of trafficking on the grounds of necessity. The Crown alleges that Court of Queen's Bench Justice Darlene Acton improperly charged the jury with regard to the defence of necessity. What's more, all of these seizures of Krieger's medicine and equipment flies in the face of a Dec. 11, 2000, Court of Queen's Bench decision that gave Krieger the right to grow and cultivate marijuana. The ruling placed no limits on how much Krieger could possess or carry and no restrictions on him providing marijuana to other sick individuals. So who's breaking the law? In this case, it's the police. And now Cauchon is talking about providing relief to partiers and tokers? Is Krieger mad? He's smokin' mad. He has every right to be. Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)Author: Licia Corbella, EditorPublished: Thursday, July 18, 2002 Copyright: 2002 The Calgary SunContact: callet sunpub.comWebsite: http://www.fyicalgary.com/calsun.shtmlRelated Articles & Web Sites:Grant W. Krieger Cannabis Research http://gwkcannabisresearch.org/Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmMedicinal-Pot Users Fuming Over Delayshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread11623.shtmlPot Crusader Faces New Chargehttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12943.shtml
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Comment #26 posted by dddd on July 19, 2002 at 03:46:00 PT
....P.S....
..good to see you again Imprint.....dddd
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Comment #25 posted by dddd on July 19, 2002 at 01:40:00 PT
....Medical Recreation....
"To hell with all of the recreational smokers. The government should do something for the sick
      people -- the medicinal users," 
 
 
..I dont mind this statement ,,when taken in context,it's not that offensive..But....there is indeed a fine line between "medicinal",and "recreational" use..A significant 'gray area',,where there are people who use Marijuana to maintain their sanity,aleviate their emotional and physical pains,,and they would fall into the nebulous area where "recreational" meets "medical"......In other words,,is it any less "medical",to find release from stress with Marijuana,than it is to take Ritalin,or Valium...I dont mean to trivialize the need for medicinal Marijuana amongst people who have severe conditions,,,,but I think it's rather simplistic,and somewhat reckless to say "..To hell with recreational smokers..".....If it wasnt for "recreational smokers",,there would probably never have been a "medical Marijuana" movement...After all,,where do you get weed from if it is not obtained "legally"???..........?....Who decides what is to be considered "medicine"?...after all,,all kind 0of weird-ass drugs are approved by the FDA as medicines that are little more than emotional dampening mind smoothers,,and the only reason they become approved,is because the are produced by pharmaceutical corporations,in collusion with the FDA.Marijuana is completely ORGANIC!..............It comes in handy to relieve numerous conditions,,both mental,and physical.....
 
 
...d...d...d...d
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Comment #24 posted by herbdoc215 on July 19, 2002 at 00:25:06 PT
I have to agree with Grant, but not as harshly
There is no easy way to say this so in my usual bull-in-china-shop way... I understand what Grant's saying better than most and if you were in our shoes you would too. To most activist's these clubs and patients are all abstract as hell along with concepts here, but when you work with them then you see how truly horrible many of them's pain and lives are and come to care for these people like family. I have watched MANY severly ill people go without MANY of lifes necessities in order to buy a few minutes respite from mind-numbing pain. In 4 years of running a very large cannabis center and medical clinic in Northern California I can count on ONE-HAND the number of times I have seen black-market growers give a patient even the lint left over in their bags! The cannabis issue has been advanced COMPLETELY in the last decade UPON the backs of America's most ill people, we won you the respectibility with mainstream US that is now fueling reform movements all around world from Colin Davey in UK to us refugee's here in BC, to Jeff Jones, etc. in California, to Grant and them back east here; ALL Patients...I can go on but I made my point. I guess we feel as if we have a gun to our heads and are playing russian roulette growing- 5 cylinders you get medicine needed to live and one is a cop who puts you in jail to be tourted for whats left of it. Lonesomeness and poverty are true enemies of the ill as most are already prisoners in their own homes or like me and Grant along with many others, our own bodies. NOW.. I was a pot smoker and grower long before I became a patient and I have watched too many I grew up with hauled off to prison to ever say to hell with anybody, but god-damn people we are talking about the DYING and GRAVELY ILL and we figure that if our own brothers of the plant don't understand out plight then how are we to EVER show the rest of the world? Let's at LEAST drag our wounded, sick and dying from the battlefield before we charge the dark tower again is all we are saying, eh? Dis no be no time to be putting our divides and fears upon da plant mon, dis be da time ta be spreadin ONE LOVE mon, One Jah, the thread of life flows through us all, eh.     Peace, Steven Tuck  in exileps. I was sitting in Blunt Brothers a couple hours ago jammin on open mic night and across the street the cops spun lights busting a junkie and this dude RAN for the door, by the time he see's all of us laughing our ass's off hé turns red as a beet. Turns out he's from Brazil and thought his shit was weak, haha, he thought it was funny to after we explained it was cool that they wasn't worried about us smoking...show's how much we all have in common in our love for the plant and trying to be free. If it had been a raid I told dude he was running towards to cops and the backdoor would probably been better??? culture shock is a nice tool! 
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Comment #23 posted by Imprint on July 18, 2002 at 23:47:11 PT
Thanks you two.
Thanks you two. Actually I regained my freedom about 9 months ago. Being busted and being run though the system is by far the worst experience I have ever had. 
Going through that whole thing I was so angry with the government and I feel fortunate that I had a place to come to and vent. It felt good and it felt good to get responses from folks that understood. This was a gift you all gave me and I won’t forget it. And that any of you would even remember me touches my heart. Thank you, it means the world to me. 
I once saw a comment on the net where some one said “I love my country, I fear my government”. This is what the police left me with. 
But, I realize that the threat of arrest still exists for all of us (recreational and medical). And I remember just how angry I was going though court and probation so, I can relate to Mr. Krieger. Mr. Krieger you aren’t alone. 
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Comment #22 posted by FoM on July 18, 2002 at 23:08:31 PT
Imprint
I want you to know that was meant for you too. I wasn't sure if you knew it did but it did. Like freedom fighter said it's good to see you.
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Comment #21 posted by freedom fighter on July 18, 2002 at 22:59:28 PT
I agree with you, Imprint!
It's good to hear from you again. Often thought about you. Just wondering if all's well with you. I must say thanks to you for giving a little help back then. As for Kriegers's remark, I question why the publisher even bother to publish it. If I was a human being who know that certain substance will help me out and somehow some prohibitionists decide to "abuse" this substance, why would'nt I be so pissed off? Especially after been harrassed by the "system". The reality, if just suppose there were no recreational users, would the "prohibitionists" allow any use of this substance? I don't think so, for this little fact. World's biggest problem is not the drugs but the fact is it, we do not have enough drugs to help the sufferings and pains. The prohibitionists like to watch others suffer in pain. Don't ask me why! I do not understand how their mind work. When it is time for a prohibtionist to feel the pain, he/she probably would even accept the pain rather than to consume what they deem it ILLEGAL even if it would keep them alive a little bit longer. Probably sometime in future, there would be actual case studies explaining how and why these prohibitionists think that way.ff
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Comment #20 posted by FoM on July 18, 2002 at 22:01:42 PT
VitaminT 
You're welcome and I meant it! 
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Comment #19 posted by VitaminT on July 18, 2002 at 21:58:42 PT
Thanks FoM
That made me fog over.
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Comment #18 posted by FoM on July 18, 2002 at 21:51:27 PT
Just a Comment
That's what I love about all of you. You use reason. Thank you!
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Comment #17 posted by VitaminT on July 18, 2002 at 21:48:19 PT
without backtracking
I want to say that I can forgive angry statements. If I couldn't then I would be a hypocrit, which would make it difficult to criticize prohibitionists. If Mr. Kreiger was sincere in his statement damning the recreational user to hell(which I doubt)then shame on him. But I'd rather suspect that the statement was made in an angry moment and perhaps with good reason, I wouldn't know.Sometimes we say things that we later regret, that often happens when we break ouy the broad brush. And once it's in print there's no taking it back. I forgive Mr. Kreiger because I would want to be forgiven, and I remind him as I remind myself, that we will ONLY win when WE STAND TOGETHER and SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER!
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Comment #16 posted by Imprint on July 18, 2002 at 20:41:06 PT
It’s OK
He lost a lot to get this far and if he wants to vent, let him vent. If we love him anyway, sooner or later he will come back to us. 
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Comment #15 posted by Robbie on July 18, 2002 at 19:21:27 PT
I agree Naaps and JHarshaw!
This is why I think H.R. 2592 is so important. If this bill could get some support, it would have real reforms. Total legalization of medical cannabis. For the US, I think that would be a tremendous step. I used to be cynical about the medical cannabis approach to legalization, but I have to agree with the purpose. Sick people should not be denied having their medicine. This is really outrageous.Mr. Krieger certainly has a right to bitch. 
H.R. 2592
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Comment #14 posted by Naaps on July 18, 2002 at 17:06:24 PT
Suffering Mr. Krieger Knows
I agree through the quotes, Grant Krieger, comes across having a nasty attitude, but without being his apologist, he has some reason for blasting the trial balloon floated by Justice Minister Cauchon. Mr. Krieger has been a bona fide medical user for years, and altruistically has taken on the compassionate dispenser’s role in the face of considerable opposition. Alberta isn’t British Columbia, and the cop cowboys have been keen on roping and hog-tying him whenever they get the chance. This, all after Judge Darlene Acton concurred that Canada’s marijuana prohibition as it applies to suffering medical needy people is unjust and unconstitutional.Mr. Kreiger has been through much, and the fight continues, though he is worn, broke and weary. He wants the best for the people whom he is actively supporting, and has ideals, which probably exceed the grasp of the politicians charged with making and modifying the laws. Consider the Flin Flon pot, even if it wasn’t a standardized batch the cannabis could still have been distributed to the needy ill. Instead, on flimsy pretenses the crop is wasted. Meanwhile, the Alberta Medical Association has firmly insisted that Alberta doctors not sign the medical exemption forms, as they believe cannabis needs more study. Damn the study! Mr. Kreiger sees the faces of real people suffering and contorted, and every authoritarian figure in Alberta seems to be piling obstacles in his path, preventing him from his goal of reducing the suffering.Legal Historian Charles Whitebread wrote an interesting speech for the California Judges association. http://www.pipes.org/Articles/history.htmlMr. Whitebread wrote, What is the iron law of Prohibitions? Prohibitions are always enacted by US, to govern the conduct of THEM…As long as it is only THEM - you know, them criminals, them crazy people, them young people, them minority group members - we are fine. But any prohibition that comes back and bothers US is done for. Well, maybe it is salient that Justice Minister Cauchon, himself experienced with cannabis, is proposing decrim. Suppose our Justice Minister and our Health Minister were both suffering from terrible diseases, say, MS and AIDS, and each responds favorably to some medical cannabis. How long would all the delays and posturing last before medical cannabis became significantly easier to obtain?  
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Comment #13 posted by FoM on July 18, 2002 at 15:27:17 PT
My 2 Cents
I don't think anyone is wrong with being upset with what he said but I said something one time that I really didn't mean but blurted it out in my frustration. I was chewed out about it too. I was angry because they were being so hard on marijuana and I said all I want is marijuana legalized and they can go and chase hard drug users and leave us alone. I didn't mean that but my concern is marijuana. I don't know people who do hard drugs and hard illegal drugs aren't an issue with me but I shouldn't have been so blunt. It's possible that he said it because he is weary. Weary of this war and just wants it to stop. He said: "To hell with all of the recreational smokers. On down further he said: "I'm just worn out -- they've just ground me down," he says, dejectedly. 
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Comment #12 posted by E_Johnson on July 18, 2002 at 15:19:00 PT
The sad fact is
The people who have the hardest time getting weed now are the people who need it the most.This is an irony that utterly escapes those whom we've elected to look out for our interests.They have this idea in their little heads that keeping marijuana from medical users keeps it from getting to recreational users.It's a ridiculous idea but nonetheless many of them adhere to it without even thinking.If you can get them to think about it rationally just for a moment -- the ludicrosity of their own assertion will not fail to escape them.
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Comment #11 posted by BGreen on July 18, 2002 at 15:14:59 PT
Exactly my sentiments, VitaminT
That's what I was saying.
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Comment #10 posted by VitaminT on July 18, 2002 at 14:57:05 PT
I started smoking pot
for recreational purposes and it's still one of my favorite passtimes, but when I have nausea I smoke it for medical purposes. Likewise when I have a headache, or when I can't sleep etc. I resent Kreigers remarks because it suggests that he thinks that his use is somehow more valuable than mine or that I somehow deserve jail for smoking a joint on my couch more than he does. Does he give a shit about all the letters I've written on his behalf? Frankly I couldn't care less, those letters were written for principles far higher than medical use alone! Does his statement mean that once Mr. Kreiger has his that the rest of us can go to hell? I suspect that he is just such a curmudgeon! Well Mr. Kreiger, you do have yours! The court said it was legal for you to grow it, If I grow it in the US I face REAL JAIL TIME probably 20 or 30 times what you would ever face in Canada!And if I scream when someone sticks a knife in my back please don't call it infighting, it's a hurtful thing wish harm on others and I do mean harm! Hell is a harsh and unpleasant place to send peaceful people many of whom have been working hard for people in circumstances similar to his.Sorry for the rambling post, but this hurts my feelings.
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Comment #9 posted by BGreen on July 18, 2002 at 13:46:18 PT
The attack has been on the casual user
I'm not upset by this article, but for anyone to say "to hell with" a group of persecuted, non-violent, otherwise law-abiding people numbering in the millions, I'll speak up and say it's wrong.I'm saying the plant, Cannabis Sativa, is the important factor here. It has been slandered, maligned, and lied about so much. It is a beautiful plant, diverse in coloration, smell, and shape. We don't have to add flavoring agents because God did it for us.If MMJ patients get pissed off because other people aren't going to jail, I say fight the fight alone. Otherwise, understand that NOBODY should be caged for cannabis!
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on July 18, 2002 at 13:08:31 PT
Dr. Russo
Thank you so much and I remember what you said and that means it could be over soon because they didn't get the medical marijuana to the people within the year. 
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Comment #7 posted by el_toonces on July 18, 2002 at 12:57:34 PT:
Stop the Infighting, PLEASE.....
....I don't know why the media love to play up the 'division' between so-called recreational and medical users when we are all one. People who think of themselves as recreational users have been of immense help to those of use who know we need cannabis as medicine and I think we must always remember that and should legal medical cannabis arrive first keep in mind that the good folks who use it as medicine will be the first public faces on MJ users. If we are work hard to be well-received and succeed, legitimization will occur and eventually it will be legal for all.Let the anti's fight amongst themselves. I love seeing articles describing the things like the fight between Ogilvy & Mather and competitors.
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Comment #6 posted by Ethan Russo MD on July 18, 2002 at 12:33:54 PT:
News from the Northern Front
Things are really advancing in Canada. There is currently a constitutional challenge being mounted in Toronto by exemptees that has the potential to void current anti-cannabis legislation for medical and recreational use. I have submitted an affidavit in the case.Recall that last summer the court ruled that the government must construct a reasonable distribution system for the expemptees, and would allow a year to comply, or all cannabis laws would be void. The year has ended, and the government has not supplied the patients. If the court rules in favor of the plaintiffs, it could be game, set and match for cannabis prohibition in Canada. It has gone on longer there than here, and by all rights, should end now.
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Comment #5 posted by FoM on July 18, 2002 at 12:32:55 PT
JHarshaw 
Very well said!
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Comment #4 posted by JHarshaw on July 18, 2002 at 12:27:21 PT
Kriegers remarks
I have to agree with Mr. Krieger on this one. Please, don't shoot yet.I take his meaning to be that in the grand scheme of things, right now the Gov. should be doing something to help the medical access problems stop. I don't mean to say that it is not important to stop this W.O.S.D. as soon as possible. Just that IMHO the sick and dying should be given priority since it seems manifestly impossible for the Gov. to consider more than one aspect at a time.Mr. Kriegers remarks upset me as well but considering the fighting he has done, and all he has been though and all he and his family have lost I can't blame him for being PO'd at an announcement like this. It was just unfortunate that this one quote is going to be used to try to drive a wedge right where we don't need it!"United We Stand, Divided We Fall." is not just a cliche, it is a very important truth.Sorry for the rambling but it was my turn and somebodys got to do it.
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Comment #3 posted by FoM on July 18, 2002 at 12:05:30 PT
BGreen 
I really hesitated posting this article because I knew it was going to upset most of us. I'm hoping what he said was an outburst due to the frustration that he feels because of all the problems he has had personally and with the government grown marijuana problem not being given out to the sick people who need it. I want medical marijuana laws and recreational laws changed. Most of us think that way I believe.PS: Hemp too!
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Comment #2 posted by greenfox on July 18, 2002 at 12:03:35 PT
Couldn't agree more
I tell you what, it should be available for everyone...sig,fik,,,,-gf
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Comment #1 posted by BGreen on July 18, 2002 at 11:56:49 PT
Sorry I've supported you, Mr. Krieger
"To hell with all of the recreational smokers. The government should do something for the sick people -- the medicinal users," says Krieger"If you don't care about every user of the sacred herb, then why should we care about you?Cannabis should be LEGAL for EVERY PURPOSE! Nobody should go to jail JUST so YOU can get YOUR medicine!
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