JUDGE UNCONVINCED MARIJUANA WAS 'MEDICINE'

A Regina judge didn't buy medical necessity as an explanation for a
marijuana trafficking operation busted earlier this week -- but he
did let three men accused in the operation out of jail.

Timothy Sterling Peters, 26, Steven Craig Peters, 23, and Colby Blake
Smoke, 18, were released from custody on Tuesday after agreeing to
several conditions, including abiding by a curfew, submitting to
random searches by police, and having no contact with each other.

But Provincial Court Judge Bruce Henning warned Steven Peters -- who
had told court the marijuana was for his "medicine" -- that a medical
marijuana defence is difficult to prove, and Henning cautioned any
further marijuana use would put Peters in violation of his release conditions.

Co-accused Carrie Dawn O'Soup, 23, and Raven Coby Desjarlais, 20,
were released from custody on Monday, and Devon Sean Gary Ponace, 19,
and Ryan Robert Raphael, 18, are expected to appear in court this afternoon.

All of the suspects are facing a variety of charges related to a drug
bust at a house in the 1200 block of Robinson Street early Sunday
evening, and subsequent busts in the 3800 block of Regina Avenue and
another in the 1000 block of Argyle Street.

Timothy and Steven Peters and Ponace are charged with assault with a
weapon for allegedly sicking two pit bulls on police officers during
the bust. One pit bull was shot and killed by police at the scene,
and the other was handed over to the Humane Society.

Under the conditions of his release, Timothy Peters also agreed not
to have any dogs in his possession.