SIMPSON GUILTY

Cumberland County Hemp Oil Activist Convicted on Charges Of
Possession, Trafficking and Production of Marijuana

AMHERST - Just because some "idiotic law" says he has to won't stop
Rickey Simpson from treating his patients suffering from illnesses
such as cancer with cannabis oil.

"People have proven to me once again they have total lack of common
sense. There's something wrong with them," Simpson said outside the
courtroom yesterday after a jury found him guilty to one count each of
possession of less than 30 grams of cannabis marijuana, possession of
less than three kilograms of tetrahydrocannabinol for the purpose of
trafficking and unlawful production of cannabis marijuana.

"I thought the jury would see this for what it is and that they would
welcome this medicine."

When discussing an adjournment for sentencing, Simpson told Justice
Felix Cacchione to put him in jail that day.

"It may be better to lock me up right now. As soon as I get home I'm
going to treat my patients. I'm going to grow that plant until the day
I die, so I might as well be put in jail today. I can't stop in the
middle of (treatment). People's lives are at stake here."

In response, Justice Cacchione told Simpson that when a guilty verdict
is found, bail is most often times revoked. He did, however, tell
Simpson he wasn't going to revoke his bail.

"You have complied with all your bail terms, so for that reason, I am
not going to," said Justice Cacchione, adding that Simpson has until 4
p.m. Wednesday to visit the parole board office to set up a time for a
pre-sentence report

The Crown's office went by way of summary conviction to the first
charge and indictment by the second two. Simpson could be facing a
fine as a sentence to the simple possession charge. The trafficking
charge could carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison, while
the maximum sentence of unlawful production is seven years.

Crown attorney Monica McQueen didn't have much a reaction to the
verdict, and couldn't speculate on the sentencing recommendation the
Crown would be submitting to the courts.

Simpson's sentencing has been adjourned for a pre-sentence report upon
Justice Cacchione's request, who also wants to see the crown's
position on sentencing.

Simpson will return to court for sentencing at 12 p.m. on Nov. 30,
2007, his 58th birthday.