HEMP OIL PRODUCER PLANS PUBLIC MEETING

MACCAN - Rick Simpson is anxious to have his medical marijuana activities
judged in the court of public opinion.

The hemp oil producer who faces criminal charges is holding a public
meeting Saturday at 2 p.m. in the community hall at the Royal Canadian
Legion here in this small Cumberland County community, just outside Amherst.

"I'm going to tell the public exactly what I did and I want them to judge
me," Mr. Simpson said this week.

Mounties seized 1,600 marijuana plants growing in clear view in his
backyard in early August. He goes to court Sept. 26.

"Myself and many concerned citizens that I've treated with hemp oil feel
the truth must come out," he said, estimating he's provided the medicine
free to 300 people for a variety of illnesses, ranging from cancer,
psoriasis and skin ailments to back pain and concussions.

Mr. Simpson grows the marijuana from his own seed and manufactures the
golden-coloured hemp oil in his home. He personally experienced relief from
the pain of a 1997 work-related accident using hemp oil, and says he cured
himself of skin cancer in 2003.

"Every second we waste causes further suffering and death to people with
severe illnesses who need this medication," he said.

"We believe that any legal system that would charge me with production of a
controlled substance, when I was using that substance to cure cancer,
cannot be taken seriously."

He has invited Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley MP Bill Casey,
Cumberland South MLA Murray Scott, RCMP, justice system representatives and
doctors to his meeting to learn more about what he's doing.

He does not intend to have any of his product at the event because he
"won't be doing any treatments that day."

Mr. Casey said he's interested in Mr. Simpson's story but at this point
isn't planning to attend the information session. Mr. Scott, a former
police officer, also won't attend.

"The problem is he has criminal charges by the RCMP against him and it
makes it awkward to participate," Mr. Casey said. "It's difficult for a
politician to become involved in a situation like that."

He is gathering information in anticipation of Parliament debating the
issue of decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana, but hasn't taken an
official stand yet.