Pubdate: Fri, 09 Jan 2004
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2004 The StarPhoenix
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/saskatoon/starphoenix/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Author: Sheri Block
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/grant.htm (Krieger, Grant)

KRIEGER ARRESTED AFTER POT SOLD AT REGINA CENTRE

REGINA -- A well-known medicinal marijuana crusader has defied the law yet 
again and opened a cannabis distribution centre in Regina.

Grant Krieger, a former longtime Saskatchewan resident with a history of 
arrests and convictions over his marijuana use, opened a branch of the 
Krieger Foundation -- which supplies marijuana to people with proven 
medical conditions -- in August.

The Supreme Court of Canada ruled Dec. 23, 2003 that Krieger, who suffers 
from progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), is legally entitled to produce 
and consume marijuana for himself, but cannot distribute it to others.

Anne, an employee at the foundation who did not want her last name used, 
said the centre serves 32 clients in Regina.

Under the foundation's rules, clients must submit an application, which 
includes a signature from a physician indicating the client has a medical 
ailment like epilepsy, AIDS or cancer.

Once a person is approved by the foundation's head office in Calgary, the 
client can receive medical cannabis from the organization for the price of 
a donation.

The location of the centre is hidden, but application forms are available 
at various sites around the city, including the Mental Health Society and 
MS Society, said Anne.

Krieger, who was arrested in Winnipeg Wednesday night for possession and is 
now out on bail, said if he doesn't provide the marijuana, his clients will 
be forced to get it on the streets.

"We don't go to bars, we don't hang around schoolyards. We go visit people 
sitting in wheelchairs and beds," said Krieger, who has seven other 
branches across Western Canada.

Under Health Canada's marijuana medical access regulations, a person is 
only entitled to legally possess marijuana with an authorized licence.

To qualify, a person must suffer from a terminal illness or suffer from 
specific symptoms associated with certain serious medical conditions.

A physician's signature, declaring other treatments have been unsuccessful, 
is also necessary.

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

Authorized growers can only grow marijuana for one other person, according 
to Catherine Saunders, spokesperson for Health Canada.

Krieger does not qualify to be a licensed grower for someone else because 
he has a criminal record.
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