POT-GROWER PLANS TO KEEP SMOKING DESPITE PAROLE

An Annapolis County pot grower, who set a booby-trap shotgun in his field
that injured a teenager, got out of jail early this month, despite telling
the parole board he plans to keep smoking marijuana.

Lamont Neil Hoffman, 43, was charged after a 17-year-old boy was shot on
Hoffman's property near Kingston in August 2000. In March, a judge handed
Hoffman a two-year jail sentence for growing marijuana and setting a booby
trap in his field.

Hoffman told the three-man parole board he uses soft drugs regularly.

"You stated that you would continue your regular consumption upon your
return to the community because you do not feel this is a problem," the
board said in its recent ruling granting Hoffman day parole.

Hoffman's "fixation on growing illegal drugs for personal consumption" and
"views regarding the use of these drugs" contributed "greatly" to his
crimes, said the board. Setting a booby trap represented "a wanton
disregard for the life and safety of others."

The board said "it would appear" Hoffman realizes the seriousness of his
crimes and has resolved to change his lifestyle.

But then it adds: "The board is keenly aware of the seriousness of your
offending behaviour and to some extent believes that you do not fully
appreciate the gravity of your conduct."

Hoffman must live in a halfway house for three months before getting full
parole.

"You were warned that there would be no tolerance for drugs or weapons
while staying at the halfway house," said the board.

The convicted pot farmer -- whom corrections officials assessed as a
moderate risk to re-offend -- managed to stay sober while in jail.

"You have demonstrated the ability to abstain from intoxicants, as
evidenced by negative urinalysis tests," said his parole decision.

"On a less positive note, you have failed to identify drug use as a
problem, and remain ignorant of its potential consequences."

Two summers ago, Hoffman set a trap with a loaded shotgun on a pot field he
was cultivating on his own property, parole board documents said.

"Teenagers, interested in your marijuana, ventured onto the property and
one was shot in the leg."

A surgeon had to remove the shotgun pellets.

The RCMP recovered about 500 grams of pot from Hoffman's home and 25 plants
from a field.

Mounties were opposed to Hoffman's early release.

"Given the nature of your crime, the police voice concerns as it shows a
total disregard for public safety and the outcome of your actions could
have resulted in much more serious consequences," said the parole decision.