Pubdate: Tue, 29 Nov 2005
Source: Fort Saskatchewan Record, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2005 The Fort Saskatchewan Record
Contact:  http://www.fortsaskatchewanrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/824
Author: Michael Spears, Staff Writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/dare.htm (D.A.R.E.)

MARIJUANA GROWER'S SENTENCE REQUIRES DARE DONATION

A long, drawn -- out case involving a Fort Saskatchewan  resident who grew 
marijuana is over and the Fort's DARE  (Drug andAlcohol Resistance 
Education) program will be  the beneficiary.

Shawn Pinder, 23, will be making a $1,000 donation to  the Fort 
Saskatchewan DARE program.

Judge Doug Rae handed down the sentence last Friday  concluding a case from 
earlier this year.

Pinder and his girlfriend, Krystal Robinson, were  living in an apartment 
at 210 Westpark Drive, with  eight 'unhealthy' pot plants when the Fort 
Saskatchewan  RCMP investigated the home.

Federal Crown Prosecutor Irvine Schulz has been  handling the file almost 
exclusively since it was first  heard in Fort Saskatchewan Provincial Court.

Schulz told the court that the "plants were in not the  best of condition" 
when the RCMP arrived to seize them  while underneath a grow light.

An Ontario native, Pinder has only a Grade 10 education  and operates his 
own business with his brother.

After hearing the description of Pinder's marijuana  Judge Rae had little 
sympathy.

"It doesn't sound sophisticated and doesn't sound like  he knew what he was 
doing," said Judge Rae.

It was the defence's suggestion that Pinder's sentence  include the 
donation to DARE.

"Because you have no criminal record, because you made  a feabile attempt 
to grow some pot for yourself I'll  give you a conditional discharge," said 
Judge Rae.

Pinder was also further sentenced to six months of  probation.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom