KRIEGER FIGHTS RAP

The federal government's inability to make dope available to those who
can legally use it is at the heart of an admitted pot grower's case, a
jury was told yesterday.

Defence lawyer Adriano Iovinelli said his client, Grant Krieger,
doesn't deny harvesting marijuana to distribute to others, but only
out of necessity.

Iovinelli said Krieger started a Calgary chapter of the Compassion
Club in 1999 because the drug wasn't being made available for medical
use.

"Mr. Krieger cultivated and distributed that marijuana to individuals
who were in need," Iovinelli said during submissions at his client's
jury trial.

Krieger faces an Aug. 25, 1999, charge of possession of marijuana for
the purpose of trafficking.

The trial, set for five days, continues this morning.