cannabisnews.com: Marijuana-Growing AIDS Patient Raided Again 





Marijuana-Growing AIDS Patient Raided Again 
Posted by FoM on April 22, 2001 at 07:31:01 PT
By Tracey Tyler, Legal Affairs Reporter
Source: Toronto Star
Like so many puppies and kittens, Jim Wakeford was giving away marijuana plants ``free to good homes'' in the hope of foiling another police raid.But before the giveaway was completed, York Region police confiscated 199 plants and charged the 56-year-old AIDS patient with possession of a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking. ``I want to be calm. I'm rational. But it's like a trauma,'' Wakeford said yesterday as he surveyed his near-empty growing room in Udora, north of Newmarket. ``I feel like I've been violated, which I have.''
York Region Detective Mike Klym said he's not out to hassle someone like Wakeford, who is allowed to use marijuana medically and has permission from the federal government to grow seven plants.But when Wakeford called police on Thursday to come investigate a burglary and had 206 plants in full view, Klym had little choice but to lay charges, he said.``No officer is out to cause these people problems, because we understand what it's all about,'' Klym said yesterday.``But if somebody says `I'm breaking the law' what am I to do?''The local constabulary's latest visit to Wakeford's home - they seized 254 plants on March 2 - is part of the fractious dance between law enforcement and some cannabis users over medical marijuana.Wakeford said while he will ``forgive'' Klym, he's not letting Justice Minister Anne McLellan, who is responsible for enforcing Canada's drug laws, off lightly.Laying criminal charges was unnecessary because police had the option of treating his growing operation as a federal regulatory breach, argues Wakeford's lawyer, Alan Young.``When have you ever heard of a pharmaceutical company being charged for having too much heroin on its shelves?'' he asked, adding that marijuana is Wakeford's medicine.``There are other ways to deal with this,'' said Young, who believes federal authorities are refusing to drop last month's charges because his client has been a thorn in the government's side.When police finished last month and left behind seven plants, Wakeford and friends began ``sorting through the debris, as one would after a bomb attack,'' and found seedlings strewn about the floor, he said.With the help of friends, he repotted them and took cuttings, which had materialized into a garden by the time Klym arrived on Thursday. ``He said `they've multiplied,' '' recalled Wakeford, who argues seven plants won't meet his needs.Klym said he doesn't understand why Wakeford doesn't just ask Ottawa to increase his limit, instead of flouting the law. Wakeford said he's tried unsuccessfully to get permission for friends to grow on his behalf.New regulations proposed by Health Minister Allan Rock would allow designated growers up to three licences to cultivate marijuana at one address. But Wakeford said this will make it tougher to get a safe supply.``Nobody in their right mind would grow, because it's not feasible to grow for three people. It's not economically viable,'' he said.Wakeford said before police arrived on Thursday night, he was distributing plants to other people with federal exemptions.He is to appear in court May 24. Note: Police find 206 plants in home of man who's allowed to keep seven. Newshawk: Ryan W.Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)Author: Tracey Tyler, Legal Affairs ReporterPublished: April 21, 2001Copyright: 2001 The Toronto Star Contact: lettertoed thestar.com Website: http://www.thestar.com/ Related Articles & Web Sites:Jim Wakeford Medical Marijuana Websitehttp://www.interlog.com/~wakeford/Medicinal Pot User Awaits Ottawa's New Rules http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9272.shtmlPot Rules To Exempt Ill, Their Caregivers from Law http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread9251.shtml 
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #2 posted by darren on May 16, 2001 at 02:39:44 PT:
cannabis
Why is cannabis illegal? because people do not like the idea using drugs in the wrong way but you cannot really use cannabis the wrong way as it is harmless and unlike a lot of drugs going around onb the streets today. i smoke cannabis because it relaxes me and brings me to extreme happyness. it sends me to sleep every night without out it i do not know what i would do. please legalise cannabis for the good of mankind. 
http://www.goverment.co.uk
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by hempcanadian on April 22, 2001 at 17:53:56 PT:
Jim Wakeford
Good Ol'Jim Pushing the envelope for us all!Your a hell of a man Jim Wakeford!I'm proud to know you.I have a blurb about Jim on my site1st pageand an invite to his planting ceremonyin May
The Hemp Canadian
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment


Name: Optional Password: 
E-Mail: 
Subject: 
Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message]
Link URL: 
Link Title: