Pubdate: Fri, 07 Jul 2000 Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON) Copyright: 2000, Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.canoe.ca/OttawaSun/ Forum: http://www.canoe.ca/Chat/home.html Author: Kathleen Harris POT SEEDS BACK IN ILL MAN'S HANDS Usually cops are trying to seize dope, not give it away. But yesterday, Renfrew OPP took the unusual step of offering to return marijuana seeds, pot literature and growing equipment confiscated during a farmhouse drug raid almost two years ago. Robert Brown, of Beachburg, who smokes weed to ease his chronic symptoms of hepatitis C, was granted an exemption from Health Canada in January that permits him to possess and grow marijuana. In May, the federal justice department decided not to proceed with drug charges laid against him in 1998. 'HOLLOW VICTORY' "It's a victory, but as always, it's a hollow victory," said Brown, who has been battling for the return of his items he believes to be worth about $5,000. Police will not return the bags of marijuana leaves, which they said had a street value of $182,000 at the time of his arrest. Brown said he's happy to have his goods back, but a little disappointed there's no OPP delivery service. "They took it from here. Why should I have to go pick it up?" he asked. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens