POT DECISION NO JOY FOR ACCUSED

Charges, court case 'extremely stressful'

The Vancouver man behind a precedent-setting court decision over trafficking
in medicinal marijuana isn't jumping for joy.

Stanley Czolowski, 44, who received a conditional discharge -- no criminal
record, no jail time, no fines -- for using and selling marijuana for health
purposes, isn't a happy camper.

"It's been extremely stressful," complained Czolowski, who had $2,500 worth
of growing equipment seized by police and must agree to "keep the peace" for
a year.

"I live basically a life of poverty. I'm struggling to keep my head above
water, and cannabis has always helped me with my situation . . . it's
difficult now."

Czolowski, who pleaded guilty, could have received up to life imprisonment.

But at a one-day sentencing hearing before provincial court Judge Jane
Godfrey, Czolowski's lawyer, John Conroy, said his client used marijuana and
traditional medicine to treat problems of glaucoma.

No appeals have been filed from either side.

"I have no difficulty whatsoever in understanding his personal motivation
and I have extreme sympathy for his persional situation," concluded Godfrey.

Czolowski also sold his home-grown pot -- police estimate the value of his
plants at up to $50,000 -- although Czolowski disputes the figure.

Down at the Compassion Club, an east Vancouver storefront lounge that
distributes pot -- some of it from Czolowski's plants -- as well as holistic
medicine and services to its mainly female clientele, the ruling is being
greeted with joy.

"It's a tremendous decision, allowing people to take personal responsibility
for their own health and the growth of their own medicine," said Erin Coyle,
who helps run the non-profit club.

Godfrey made it clear she considers the case unique.

But her decision shocked Vancouver RCMP Sgt. Chuck Doucette, the provincial
co-ordinator with the force's drug-awareness program.

"I can understand a judge being supportive, but it's another issue
altogether when he's selling to other people," said Doucette, who wants to
talk to prosecutors about the evidence they presented.

"It [trafficking] is clearly against the present Canadian laws, so the
judge's decision is very surprising."

Checked-by: Rolf Ernst