Pubdate: Sun, 25 Sep 2005
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 The Edmonton Journal
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada)

SMITH BEATS MARIJUANA COOKIE RAP

VICTORIA -- Ted Smith, Victoria's high-profile champion of medical 
marijuana, has beaten a trafficking charge on appeal.

Smith said on Friday the result is a relief for him and the other members 
of the Victoria Cannabis Buyers' Club, a compassion club that supplies 
marijuana to people who can prove they have an incurable medical condition.

On Thursday, Smith received a letter from the federal Department of Justice 
saying it had reviewed his appeal and decided he should be granted a new 
trial. The Crown, however, has determined it will not proceed and will ask 
the Court of Appeal to enter an acquittal.

A British Columbia provincial court judge convicted Smith in June of 
trafficking in cannabis resin and sentenced him to a nine-month conditional 
discharge.

Evidence during the trial centred on laboratory analysis which showed 
cookies, handed out at the club, contained cannabis resin, an illegal 
substance.

Smith testified Cannabis Club cooks made the cookies by starting with 
marijuana, steeping it in vegetable oil and heating it. That oil, after it 
had cooled and been filtered, was used in making the cookie dough.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom