Pubdate: Fri, 08 Feb 2002
Source: Peninsula News Review (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 Peninsula News Review
Contact:  http://www.peninsulanewsreview.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1373

SMITH FEARS JAIL TIME

Staying out of jail is proving to be a challenge for Ted Smith.

"I'm not in jail yet," says Smith. But he expects he may be heading there soon.

Smith is the coordinator of the Vancouver Island Cannabis Buyers Club on 
Johnson Street in Victoria, which provides marijuana to people for medical 
purposes.

Smith is currently facing a charge of possession of a controlled substance 
(marijuana) for the purpose of trafficking.

On Jan.3, Victoria police arrested Smith in his store, Ted's Books, which 
doubles as the  Vancouver Island Cannabis Buyers Club. Smith, who was 
arrested along with another person who was allegedly caught rolling a 
marijuana cigarette.

Smith, one of the most prominent pot-as-medicine advocates in Victoria, 
fears that when he goes to court to face the charge on Feb. 27, he will 
wind up going to jail if found guilty, noting that he's been charged with 
four pot-related offences on three separate occasions in the past including 
the recent charge that is before the courts.

Smith told the Weekend Edition Tuesday that he could wind up in jail today 
(Friday), when he attends a bail hearing.

Robert Moore-Stewart, Smith's lawyer in the case, was reluctant to comment 
since the case is currently before the courts.

But he did say that Smith has a "legitimate concern."

"I'm concerned about Ted and I'm concerned about other people in his 
predicament," says Moore-Stewart.

Because of the possibility of jail time, Smith is trying to get his hands 
on as many letters of support as he can from members of the community who 
support his attempts to provide marijuana to people for medicinal purposes.

"People like myself are putting ourselves at risk obviously to help people 
with this medicine," says Smith.
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