POT ADVOCATE SICK IN JAIL - FAMILY

The condition of notorious medicinal marijuana crusader Grant Krieger
- -- incarcerated at the Calgary Remand Centre since Monday -- is
"rapidly deteriorating," according to his friends and family.

"He's having troubles getting around, he's depressed and he's in
pain," said Ryan Krieger, Grant's 25-year-old son.

Ryan has not visited his father in jail and has only spoken with him
by phone.

"He is under medical care because his muscles are cramping up and his
mobility is diminishing. They are trying to make him feel comfortable."

Grant Krieger, who has multiple sclerosis and uses pot to alleviate
the pain, was jailed Monday after being convicted of drug trafficking
in March and sentenced to four months in custody.

A provincial court judge delayed sending him to the remand centre
until Monday so that Krieger, who is legally allowed to used cannabis,
could arrange to take the drug into jail.

Krieger needed to acquire a federal licence allowing him to carry the
pot, which required a doctor's signature. He was denied signatures by
two doctors, his lawyer told the court.

A spokesman for the provincial Solicitor General's Department said
Wednesday he could not confirm or deny whether Krieger was under
medical care, due to privacy concerns.

However, said Andy Weiler, the remand centre has a "fairly large"
infirmary to which all inmates have access. It is staffed with nurses
24 hours a day and has physicians on call.

"(Krieger) has access to it and if his condition is deteriorating at
all, then he would be placed in that infirmary," Weiler said.

"We will take all steps necessary to ensure that Mr. Krieger receives
the necessary conventional medication to help treat his condition."

Krieger has said in the past that traditional medicine does not
alleviate his pain. His son said Wednesday his father would likely
refuse pharmaceuticals.

"He's been down that road and to take that road would mean more pain
and trouble," Ryan said.

Weiler said any inmate can refuse treatment, until they reach a point
where they can no longer make decisions.

"At that point we would step in and do whatever is necessary to ensure
his health is taken care of," Weiler said. "He is our responsibility
while he's an inmate."

Krieger was convicted on two counts of drug trafficking after police
seized two packages containing 801 grams of marijuana sent through his
Grant Krieger Compassion Club to Manitoba for distribution to people
with similar afflictions.