JAIL HASN'T GONE TO POT JUST YET

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.