PROBATION VISITS TOO COSTLY: POT ADVOCATE

A controversial marijuana advocate says he can't make it to court-ordered
meetings with his probation officer because he doesn't have enough money
for the monthly bus trip.

Grant Krieger, 44, pleaded not guilty to breaching his probation Wednesday
in a brief appearance in provincial court. A trial date was set for Jan.19.

Outside court, Krieger said he pleaded not guilty to the charge - which
stems from a trafficking conviction in Regina - because his government
support payments are too small for him to make the appointments.

Krieger, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, said he receives $774. per
month from Canada Pension Plan, but rent and utilities alone cost him $740
a month.

"I don't have a phone and I don't have a car. They want me to come
downtown once a month?" said Krieger. "That's $3.20. Try squeezing that out
of $774."

The pot crusader founded the Universal Compassion Club to provide marijuana
to seriously ill or disabled people who seek the illegal drug for pain relief.

Krieger also said if he were still in Saskatchewan, it's likely the 150
hours of community service he was ordered to perform would have been waived
because of his ailing health.

"Here, they insist I do my hours. How can I do that?" asked Krieger, who
appeared frail and limped into court Wednesday.

The probation was ordered by a Regina judge as a condition of an 18-month
sentence last January. Krieger was arrested June 23 after he failed to
attend the monthly meetings, and was released on his own recognizance.