MAN HOPES TO SECURE DRUG CERTIFICATE

ST. STEPHEN - An Elmsville man hopes for a break when he returns to St.
Stephen provincial court Feb. 16 for sentencing on drug charges.

If the Crown or the court does not stay proceedings, Adam Troy Dickerson,
27, will probably lose his medical certificate to use marijuana to control
pain, duty counsel Joel Hansen told Judge David Walker.

Dickerson pleaded guilty last year to growing and possession of marijuana
contrary to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Walker agreed to postpone sentence to adjourn sentencing to allow
Dickerson to apply to Health Canada for a medical use certificate.

The certificate does not apply retroactively but would provide grounds for
mitigation at the sentencing hearing - and allow Dickerson to legally
produce the drug for his own use in the future.

However, Health Canada does not renew certificates if a court convicts the
holder of a drug offence, Hansen said.

Once a court sentences Dickerson, the conviction becomes part of his
criminal record - and Health Canada will turn him down for renewal.

With a stay of proceedings, Health Canada will have no record of the
charge against Dickerson and will likely renew the certificate in the
future, assuming he does not get charged again.