HEAD OF GROUP THAT SUPPLIES MEDICAL MARIJUANA PLEADS GUILTY TO TRAFFICKING

VICTORIA (CP) - The head of the Vancouver Island Compassion Society,
which supplies marijuana to people who need it for medical reasons,
pleaded guilty Wednesday to possession of marijuana for the purpose of
trafficking.

Philippe Lucas said he'll present evidence at his April 12 sentencing
that shows the value and need for such treatment. The society provides
"safe amounts of select strains of marijuana to critically and
chronically ill people," he said. "We are there to help people as best
we can."

The marijuana is specially grown for the society, which has about 220
members.

All of the members require a doctor's authorization that they need
marijuana for medical purposes before it is provided by the society.

Marijuana is not smoked on site, Lucas said.

Lucas, a teacher and childcare worker, was arrested in November 2000,
several months after the society opened its doors in suburban Oak Bay.

The bust happened after the society premises was broken into and about
500 grams of marijuana was stolen.

Police recovered the marijuana, which Lucas identified as belonging to
the society

He was later charged.