Pubdate: Tue, 03 Nov 2015 Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN) Copyright: 2015 The StarPhoenix Contact: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/letters.html Website: http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400 Author: Charles Hamilton Page: A1 CHAMP CHARGED IN POT RAID A national champion pole vaulter and former Huskies star living with Crohn's disease was one of the four people arrested during a raid on Saskatoon's only medical marijuana dispensary. Friends and loved ones say Lane Britnell benefited greatly from his prescribed medical marijuana and that he does not deserve to go to jail. "It's done amazing things for him," said Lauren Taylor, a close friend. Britnell was an elite university athlete, but even as he was winning his second consecutive national gold medal at the Canadian Interuniversity Sport track and field championships in 2012, the autoimmune disorder was beginning to take its toll. Taylor and others watched as the disease progressed and Britnell grew more weak and depressed. Soon, she said, Crohn's consumed his life and not only was he unable to compete, but at times he couldn't leave his house. "I went from being able to exercise with him and do an elite sport with him to watching him get winded walking up the stairs," Taylor said. She does not use marijuana herself, but when Britnell had access to medical marijuana, his mood and health changed dramatically, she said. Before the Saskatchewan Compassion Club opened in Saskatoon in August, he had to buy his marijuana online and navigate the sometimes complicated system set up under Health Canada, she said, noting he also could not legally purchase marijuana extracts or edibles products that he could ingest instead of smoking. Mark Baerg, Britnell's lawyer, said he has known the 23-year-old for six years and he's seen the benefit medical marijuana had for his friend-turned-client. "Cannabis afforded him the best balance of managing the inflammation associated with Crohn's and controlling the symptoms," Baerg said. According to Baerg, Britnell tried a variety of painkillers prescribed by doctors, but the side effects were too much. Last March, Britnell had surgery to remove part of his colon; since then, he claims to have exclusively used marijuana and no pain killers. Baerg would not go into the specifics of Britnell's role in the Saskatchewan Compassion Club, but said he hopes Britnell is exonerated. He said various Canadian court decisions have made it clear that medical marijuana patients should have reasonable access to their medication - including marijuana extracts and oils currently not available under the existing legal framework. "They are forced to choose between their health and their freedom ... they shouldn't have to make that choice," Baerg said. Police and prosecutors maintain that Britnell and the other people charged were providing marijuana to people at the Saskatchewan Compassion Club illegally and therefore are traffickers. Crown lawyer Doug Curliss, who is prosecuting the case, said last week that the people at the club had been warned by authorities and the laws of the land regarding marijuana trafficking are clear. Britnell is charged with eight counts of trafficking, plus one count of production and one count of possessing the proceeds of crime. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom