POT LADY CONFINED TO HOUSE

Said She Grew Medical Dope

A CRAMAHE Township woman who told authorities she was growing pot for
medicinal purposes was sentenced to house arrest yesterday. Dianne
Bruce, 40, pleaded guilty in Peterborough court Sept. 2 to production
of a controlled substance and other charges including three counts of
possession of a controlled substance. Another three counts of
production of a controlled substance and three counts of possession
for the purpose of trafficking were withdrawn by the Crown.

18 Kilos Seized

The charges stemmed from police officers executing a search warrant at
Bruce's home on County Road 21 on Oct. 19, 2001.

Police seized 18 kilos of dried marijuana from the residence along
with growing equipment.

Bruce said she was growing the marijuana for a number of people that
were exempt from marijuana laws for various medical reasons across
Canada.

Although Bruce applied to the federal government for a medical
exemption at the time of the search warrant, she did not get one until
Nov. 9, 2001.

Items Returned

Among the items seized were transformers, grow bulbs, a bag sealer,
digital thermometer, atmospheric controller, scales, ph tester, air
blowers and fans.

A computer and hook rug that said, "Lady Dy's Helping Hands" with a
picture of a marijuana leaf were seized, but the Crown ordered the
items to be returned.

Defence lawyer David McCaskill said there was no evidence found inside
the room to suggest it had been used in the past for the grow op and
the officers' opinions were not sufficient proof.

Madame Justice Fuerst handed out a joint submission calling for a
nine-month house arrest for Bruce.