POT WAS FOR MEDICINAL USE, GROWER SAYS HE'LL SEEK LICENCE

A 56-year-old Wasaga Beach man was fined $1,500 with a 10-year
weapons ban for having a marijuana grow operation on what his lawyers
say was medical grounds.

John Peterson pled guilty as charged, Tuesday.

Federal prosecutor Cecile Applegate told the court that on Dec. 18,
2005 a Huronia West OPP officer was dispatched on an alarm call to
the Spruce Street home of the defendant.

Police found the rear door forced open, called in the canine unit,
and combed the building for suspects, read the Crown. Inside the home
were more than 70 cannabis plants in a container with soil, along
with related "drug paraphernalia."

Defence lawyer Brian Greasley said his client "suffers chronic
articular pain, and has produced marijuana which controls headaches
and increases the appetite."

The lawyer added Peterson has used the narcotic "for many years", and
is now applying for a licence to produce it for his own consumption.

Mr. Justice C.M. Harpur found Peterson's prior drug record - although
16 years old - was not helpful in the case, and warned the accused
that a further drug-related offence would end in jail.