SMOKE EATER FINED $2,500 FOR POT

A city firefighter who was growing potent pot in his basement to combat
depression and physical pain was fined $2,500 yesterday in provincial court.

Dean Troyer, 41, was also put on probation for six months after pleading
guilty to simple marijuana possession and cultivating marijuana.

His wife Marie had similar charges dropped yesterday.

The 17-year veteran smoke eater had been very vocal about his marijuana use
for medicinal purposes at an earlier court appearance and had compared his
hydroponic operation to his home wine-brewing.

However, neither Troyer nor lawyer Alex Pringle had any comment after
yesterday's sentencing.

Inside court, Troyer apologized for his actions and said they have led to
some hard times for his family.

"I've certainly learned a lesson through all of this," said Troyer, who has
been on stress leave from his position as a senior firefighter for two
years.

Edmonton fire Chief Jim Sales is looking into the case and will decide
whether the sentence will affect Troyer's ability to do his job, said a
spokesman with the emergency response department yesterday.

"The severity of the offences will be a factor," said Jean Kirkman, adding
the city does not have a blanket policy on employees who are convicted of
criminal offences.

Federal prosecutor Carrie Sharpe told court that Troyer was busted by RCMP
drug investigators after they raided his west-end home on Sept. 17, 1997.

Cops discovered a sophisticated hydroponic grow-operation in his basement
with 15 plants, eight of which were up to one metre tall. About four ounces
of drying marijuana buds were hanging from the floor joists, said Sharpe.

Another three ounces of dried marijuana buds and more than six ounces of
marijuana leaves were also found, evidence that it wasn't the first crop
grown there, said Sharpe.

Sharpe, who was seeking an intermittent jail term, said police tested the
marijuana and discovered it had a high potency.

"This isn't someone who is just growing marijuana in their closet," said
Sharpe. "There is definitely some level of sophistication here."

Pringle told the court that Troyer is seeing a psychologist for depression,
which has kept him on medical leave since 1997.

He added the firefighter also has bouts of excruciating pain due to a tear
in his anus that leaves a bundle of nerves exposed.

"The marijuana helped in both of these conditions and was the primary factor
behind the growing operation," said Pringle.