MARIJUANA CRUSADER TO GET JURY TRIAL

Gaunt, frail, but unapologetic, a wheelchair-bound Grant Krieger got
his wish yesterday -- a trial before a jury of his peers.

But Krieger may have to spend months behind bars before he gets to try
to convince 12 fellow-Calgarians that he should be allowed to grow and
distribute pot for medicinal reasons.

The medical marijuana crusader app-eared briefly in provincial court,
where lawyer Adriano Iovinelli elected a judge and jury trial on his
behalf.

Wearing standard Calgary Remand Centre blue overalls, Krieger, 45,
made no comment after rolling himself into court in a wheelchair.

But outside court his lawyer spoke volumes, saying his client's health
is rapidly deteriorating because he can't get the pot which alleviates
his multiple sclerosis pain.

"He needs the marijuana to live," said Iovinelli, whose client has
been denied bail because he refuses to promise not to distribute the
the drug to other sick individuals. "He used to be in a wheelchair
prior to using marijuana."

When Krieger appeared in court last Friday, he was able to
stand.

Marie Krieger said pot has been a lifesaver for her husband. "It makes
him able to walk like the rest of us, my God, isn't he entitled to
that?" she said.

Following his court appearance, Krieger told the Sun he isn't
confident he can strike an agreement with the Crown to gain his
release on bail. "The Crown wants me to say I will not cultivate, but
I'm not sure because I need to possess (it)," he said by telephone
from the remand centre.

Krieger will have a Court of Queen's Bench jury trial date set Oct.
13.