Pubdate: Wed, 23 Aug 2006
Source: Express (Nelson, CN BC)
Page: Front Page
Copyright: 2006 Kootenay Express Communication Corp.
Contact:   http://www.expressnews.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2339
Author: Susan Hollis
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Holy+Smoke
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Marijuana - Canada)

HOLY SMOKE RAISES STEAM

Second Co-Owner of Holy Smoke Culture Shop, Alan Middlemiss, Arrested 
by Nelson Police; Pot Advocates Glad for Attention

Another Holy Smoke Culture Shop owner was arrested last week, adding
to a list of local individuals targeted by Nelson Police for their
involvement with cannabis trafficking. Co-owner, Alan Middlemiss, was
arrested on two counts of trafficking after turning himself in to the
Nelson Police station last Wednesday, August 16.

"I was in Nelson and I had a feeling I should check in on my current
legal status, so I went into the police... and the warrant was just
printed; the ink was still fresh, said Middlemiss, adding that turning
himself in saved taxpayers dollars that would be wasted if the police
had to track him down. "The police have already spent more than enough
money targeting the Holy Smoke, and it gets very, very expensive. I
just find it so absurd, the whole prioritization of recreational use
of pot by adults as a high priority."

Middlemiss' arrest comes on the heels of fellow cannabis advocate,
business partner, and long-time friend, Paul DeFelice, who was
arrested last month on similar charges. Among the conditions of his
arrest is a blocking order that prevents him from having any contact
with DeFelice. He is also forbidden to use cannabis in any form, nor
can he be near any person or vehicle possessing it "Theoretically, my
conditions mean I can't be in the province of British Columbia," said
Middlemiss with a laugh.

Middlemiss is hoping to get his conditions varied by a judge to allow
communications with DeFelice.

According to Nelson detective Paul Burkart, the arrest is just one
more on a list targeting a group of individuals suspected for
trafficking marijuana.

"We're still continuing with our investigation and charges are still
pending on others," he said. "Alan Middlemiss had warrants outstanding
and he turned himself in. It's fairly common, it's not unheard of by
any means, sometimes we'll go looking for somebody and let somebody
know there are warrants outstanding for them, and they'll phone and
say they want to turn themselves in."

Burkart wouldn't comment on how many have been arrested, or how many
are being investigated. Nor would he comment on Middlemiss'
disrobement upon arrest.

"As a cannabis advocate, I have obviously been arrested before, and I
have been strip searched many times, in many places, so I did a ritual
disrobement," said Middlemiss of his first action upon being arrested.
"What I was trying to get across was that I was completely disarmed, I
had no violent intentions, so I prepared for a routine cavity search."

Middlemiss said he and fellow cannabis supporters welcome the
attention garnered from the arrests.

"We cannot allow discretion by the police; we need laws changed so the
police can get on with the work of pursuing violent offenders in our
community," be said. "I welcome the chance to have cannabis laws
struck from the book as being valid, and I think it would be amazing
if we could do that in Nelson, which is the spiritual home of
cannabis, in Canada."

Middlemiss is scheduled to appear in Nelson court on November 7.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake