MAN VOWS TO CONTINUE POT CRUSADE AFTER FINE

A Saskatchewan man said he will continue to crusade for the medicinal use
of marijuana after a Calgary judge fined him $550 Monday for possession for
the purpose of trafficking.

"This won't change the way I do things," Grant Krieger, 44, who has taken
the drug for four years because he believes it moderates his multiple
sclerosis symptoms, said outside court.

"Society does not have the right to tell anyone how to heal their bodies or
what they can use in the healing process. Who gives them that right?"

Krieger, of Preeceville, Sask., wouldn't say what his next step will be.

"Just wait for a few days and see what I'm gonna do next," he said with a grin.

"I realize that for trafficking I'm gonna get a fine every time out. I'm
getting rather used to the judicial system here in Calgary, so see how many
more times I can make the courtroom in the next while. It's still against
the law!"

Krieger said the fact that he is now walking without the aid of a cane or
crutches attests to what marijuana has done for him since he began taking
the drug after attempting suicide in 1994 because of the unbearable pain.

His legal case began when Krieger was arrested in front of Court of Queen's
Bench on June 26 1997, after he intentionally lit up a marijuana cigarette
in full view of the public, media and police, and told all he intended to
give some of the drug to another man afflicted with MS.

Three bags of marijuana, totalling 15 grams, were found in his pockets.

Provincial court Judge Robert Davie said he chose not to send Krieger to
jail because he considered Krieger's actions a "publicity stunt" to draw
attention to what he considered a bad law.

"Trafficking in marijuana will result in a jail term -- except in
exceptional cases. He flouted the law, that is clear," Davie said in
sentencing Krieger. "Given his motivation for his offence, this is an
exceptional case.

"His personal belief is that the drug assists him in the healing process,
but it is not for me to debate this. That is best left to the scientific
medical community and Parliament."

Krieger's lawyer, Adriano Iovinelli, said the decision was a starting point
in his client's tangled legal battle to have marijuana legalized for
medical reasons.

"I was grateful a probation order wasn't issued, where he'd have to abstain
from marijuana, because he'll probably breach it tonight or tomorrow," said
Iovinelli.

"He considers it his medicine and takes it on a daily basis."

Krieger's daughter, Lindsay, 20, said outside court she is proud of what
her father has done with his legal battle.

"He's taught me to stand up for what I believe in, as he does," she said.
"I'm happy with the decision, because it shows he's not gonna back down.
And it also shows he's making some headway. He has started to make a
difference."

Krieger said he cannot afford to pay the fine and will take some time to
decide what to do about it. The court gave him until Jan. 31, 1999 to pay
or spend 12 days in jail.

A Saskatchewan man said he will continue to crusade for the medicinal use
of marijuana after a Calgary judge fined him $550 Monday for possession for
the purpose of trafficking.

"This won't change the way I do things," Grant Krieger, 44, who has taken
the drug for four years because he believes it moderates his multiple
sclerosis symptoms, said outside court.

"Society does not have the right to tell anyone how to heal their bodies or
what they can use in the healing process. Who gives them that right?"

Krieger, of Preeceville, Sask., wouldn't say what his next step will be.

"Just wait for a few days and see what I'm gonna do next," he said with a grin.

"I realize that for trafficking I'm gonna get a fine every time out. I'm
getting rather used to the judicial system here in Calgary, so see how many
more times I can make the courtroom in the next while. It's still against
the law!"

Krieger said the fact that he is now walking without the aid of a cane or
crutches attests to what marijuana has done for him since he began taking
the drug after attempting suicide in 1994 because of the unbearable pain.

His legal case began when Krieger was arrested in front of Court of Queen's
Bench on June 26 1997, after he intentionally lit up a marijuana cigarette
in full view of the public, media and police, and told all he intended to
give some of the drug to another man afflicted with MS.

Three bags of marijuana, totalling 15 grams, were found in his pockets.

Provincial court Judge Robert Davie said he chose not to send Krieger to
jail because he considered Krieger's actions a "publicity stunt" to draw
attention to what he considered a bad law.

"Trafficking in marijuana will result in a jail term -- except in
exceptional cases. He flouted the law, that is clear," Davie said in
sentencing Krieger. "Given his motivation for his offence, this is an
exceptional case.

"His personal belief is that the drug assists him in the healing process,
but it is not for me to debate this. That is best left to the scientific
medical community and Parliament."

Krieger's lawyer, Adriano Iovinelli, said the decision was a starting point
in his client's tangled legal battle to have marijuana legalized for
medical reasons.

"I was grateful a probation order wasn't issued, where he'd have to abstain
from marijuana, because he'll probably breach it tonight or tomorrow," said
Iovinelli.

"He considers it his medicine and takes it on a daily basis."

Krieger's daughter, Lindsay, 20, said outside court she is proud of what
her father has done with his legal battle.

"He's taught me to stand up for what I believe in, as he does," she said.
"I'm happy with the decision, because it shows he's not gonna back down.
And it also shows he's making some headway. He has started to make a
difference."

Krieger said he cannot afford to pay the fine and will take some time to
decide what to do about it. The court gave him until Jan. 31, 1999 to pay
or spend 12 days in jail.

Checked-by: Joel W. Johnson