EVANSBURG MAN PLANS TO SUE POLICE

A man from Evansburg is suing the RCMP for seizing marijuana plants
he says he was growing for medicinal purposes.

Two years ago, Steve Chorney received a licence under the federal
medical-marijuana program to grow a limited number of plants to
manage chronic pain in his legs, which has prevented him from working
since 1996.

At about 10 a.m. on July 23, Chorney said three RCMP members arrived
at his house in three separate vehicles, made a bee-line for the
plants and started pulling them out of the ground.

"When I approached them to question them and I asked if I could go in
the house to prove my documentation, my letters from Health Canada, I
was threatened to be arrested."

Corporal James House of the Evansburg RCMP said this information is
incorrect. He said he gave Chorney permission to grab his paperwork
and that he produced an expired licence for 25 indoor plants.

House found 72 plants growing outdoors, but could not comment on
whether he suspected Chorney of dealing.

House, who was granted an emergency order to destroy the plants, said
the matter is before the Crown to determine if charges are pending.

Chorney admits his licence had expired but said he filed the proper
paperwork in January or February for a new licence to grow 35 outdoor
plants. He said Health Canada was aware he moved his plants outside
and had advised him to keep growing the plants while waiting for his
new licence.

Because a suit is pending, Chorney wouldn't discuss what compensation
he is seeking for his lost plants, but he said the police's actions
were ludicrous.

"All he did is make a sick man sicker," he said.

"Where am I going to get my marijuana medicine? Am I going to go to
the street? I don't think so, because I don't know who grew it or
what's put in it or if it's laced with anything."

For now, Chorney said he is back on his painkillers that are causing
him many health problems, such as liver damage, high cholesterol and
blood pressure.

The pills are also expensive. Chorney said he pays $1,000 each month
to fill his prescriptions, while growing pot costs between $100 and
$200 per year.

Chorney said he has been in touch with Health Canada who apologized
for what happened and told him his licence would arrive as quickly as possible.