PATRIQUEN FACES $260,000 FINE

Michael Patriquen has been fined nearly $260,000 for possessing the
proceeds of crime.

The founder of Nova Scotia's Marijuana Party was sentenced Friday in
Nova Scotia Supreme Court.

Justice Peter Richard also handed down a three-year sentence to be
served concurrently with a six-year sentence for drug conspiracy, for
which Mr. Patriquen is currently on parole.

Justice Richard said the three-year sentence is retroactive to
September 2003, when Mr. Patriquen first pleaded guilty to the
proceeds-of-crime charge.

"(Mr. Patriquen's) ability to earn income is very limited at this
time," defence lawyer Warren Zimmer told the court during the hearing.

He explained that Mr. Patriquen is still debilitated from a 1999 car
accident and from hepatitis C, which his client claims he contracted
in prison.

As well, Mr. Patriquen faces a hefty outstanding tax bill of $152,000
with Canada Revenue Agency.

Justice Richard agreed to give Mr. Patriquen two years to pay the
$258,427 fine.

Outside court, Mr. Patriquen, who is in his early 50s, explained that
he has been drawing a salary from Med Marijuana Inc., the Bedford
company he runs with his wife Melanie Stephen-Patriquen.

But that income goes straight into running their household, said the
Middle Sackville native.

Although the likelihood of him paying the fine within two years is
apparently slim, Mr. Patriquin said the two years will give him time
to appeal the sentence.

Last spring, money-laundering and proceeds-of-crime charges were
stayed against Ms. Stephen-Patriquen until arrangements could be made
for the federal Crown to pay her legal bills.

Two Halifax lawyers, Kishan Persaud and Brian Church, both with the
firm Walker Dunlop, are currently in negotiations with the Crown to
represent the woman.

Evidence from Mr. Patriquen's hearing is banned from publication,
pending the conclusion of his wife's trial.