Pubdate: Thu, 31 Jan 2002 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2002 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoria/timescolonist/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Author: Canadian Press Cited: Vancouver Island Compassion Society http://www.thevics.com/ Bookmarks: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Philippe+Lucas http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada) HEAD OF GROUP THAT SUPPLIES MEDICAL MARIJUANA PLEADS GUILTY TO TRAFFICKING VICTORIA (CP) - The head of the Vancouver Island Compassion Society, which supplies marijuana to people who need it for medical reasons, pleaded guilty Wednesday to possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking. Philippe Lucas said he'll present evidence at his April 12 sentencing that shows the value and need for such treatment. The society provides "safe amounts of select strains of marijuana to critically and chronically ill people," he said. "We are there to help people as best we can." The marijuana is specially grown for the society, which has about 220 members. All of the members require a doctor's authorization that they need marijuana for medical purposes before it is provided by the society. Marijuana is not smoked on site, Lucas said. Lucas, a teacher and childcare worker, was arrested in November 2000, several months after the society opened its doors in suburban Oak Bay. The bust happened after the society premises was broken into and about 500 grams of marijuana was stolen. Police recovered the marijuana, which Lucas identified as belonging to the society He was later charged. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake