MEDICAL POT CRUSADER CHARGED YET AGAIN BY COPS

WINNIPEG (CP) - Medical marijuana crusader Grant Krieger says his efforts
to help the sick and dying were dealt a serious blow this week after he was
arrested by Manitoba RCMP.

Krieger, 49, was pulled over Tuesday night near Headingly, Man. Police
seized all but a few grams of his pot and charged him with possession.

''It was a very costly run-in with the RCMP,'' he said Thursday. ''Now I
have to replace my stock and find a lawyer.''

Krieger said the police should return his marijuana to him.

''I have people who need this,'' he said. ''I don't want people going off
the deep end and committing suicide. I'm dealing with terminal people.''

Krieger, who has multiple sclerosis, is legally allowed to grow marijuana
and use it himself for medical purposes.

Health Canada spokeswoman Catherine Saunders said a person is only entitled
to legally possess marijuana with an authorized license. To qualify, a
person must be suffering from a terminal illness or suffering from specific
symptoms associated with certain serious medical conditions, such as the
side effects of chemotherapy.

Once licensed, a person can obtain the marijuana by growing their own
supply, designating someone else to grow it for them or receiving it
directly from Health Canada's official supplier in Flin Flon, Man.

Saunders said authorized growers can only grow marijuana for one other
person. However, Krieger does not qualify to be a licensed grower for
someone else because he has a criminal record.

Krieger said Thursday the pot he was carrying in his car was for himself
and his Manitoba clients.

His Krieger Foundation serves 400 clients in Western Canada and Ontario.
This week he opened up a new branch in Regina.

RCMP Sgt. Steve Saunders said Krieger won't get his pot back because he is
not allowed to sell it to others.