Pubdate: Wed, 13 Aug 2014
Source: Lunenburg Progress Enterprise (CN NS)
Copyright: 2014 Lighthouse Publishing Limited
Contact:  http://www.southshorenow.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4942
Author: Keith Corcoran
Page: A1

PINE GROVE MAN GUILTY OF MARIJUANA POSSESSION VOWS TO KEEP SMOKING BUD

BRIDGEWATER - Lifting up a pant-leg to reveal a heavily scarred left 
leg, a Pine Grove man fined for possessing marijuana emphasized to a 
provincial court judge that smoking bud helps prevent a "lock up" 
affect on his lower limbs.

"I'm in pain every day. I don't know what else to do," Larry Labelle, 
46, explained during provincial court, August 6, in Bridgewater. "I'm 
going to keep smoking marijuana. I have no choice."

Mr. Labelle experiences "extreme difficulties with pain," since a 
time several years ago when a vehicle operated by an impaired driver 
ran him over, his lawyer, Bob Chipman, indicated to court. Smoking 
marijuana relaxes Mr. Labelle, allows him to sleep and alleviates 
pain, Mr. Chipman explained to Judge Paul Scovil.

Mr. Labelle, who's self-employed, had no medical authorization from 
the federal government to use marijuana and indicated to court he 
won't be able to work if he's not allowed to have marijuana.

"I had 13 operations, sir. I was in a coma for a year," Mr. Labelle 
said after revealing the leg scars.

"I'm guilty because I know I'm not legal to have it but I don't know 
what else to do."

Said Judge Scovil: "I can tell you, sir, you either need a 
prescription for it or other lawful authorization, otherwise it's illegal."

The drug possession charge against Mr. Labelle stems from an incident 
in June when a sport utility vehicle (SUV) approached a late evening 
police checkpoint in the Gold River area.

"Upon speaking with the driver, the officer immediately detected the 
smell of burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle. The officer also 
[detected] and odour of fresh marijuana as well," federal Crown 
attorney Jodi Mailman told court.

The vehicle was pulled over after the driver produced an expired 
licence. The driver admitted to smoking marijuana after the police 
officer asked about the smell coming from the SUV. RCMP planned to 
conduct a roadside test to ensure the driver was fit to operate the vehicle.

"As Mr. Labelle exited the vehicle he said to [the officer], 'I'm not 
going to lie to you, I have more weed in the car,'" Ms. Mailman said. 
The accused produced a plastic bag with weed inside. He didn't fail 
the roadside testing.

"The bag of marijuana which was seized from the accused was later 
weighed and determined to contain a total of 13 grams," Ms. Mailman said.

Judge Scovil, after Mr. Labelle pleading guilty to the single count 
of possession, imposed fines totalling $390. Mr. Labelle was given a 
year to pay off the penalty.
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