Pubdate: Sat, 09 Jan 2016
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.ottawasun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Tony Spears
Page: 5

9-YEAR-OLD POT CHARGES DROPPED

James Turner enjoys a celebratory puff after the Crown dropped
marijuana charges again him Friday.

The sweet smell of freedom mingled with the skunky scent of pot
outside the Elgin St. courthouse Friday after the Crown dropped
nine-year-old drug raps against a long-suffering pot advocate.

But James Turner vowed to return to court to claim compensation for
hundreds of plants police seized in a 2006 raid, which - using police
estimates - he values at $2.8 million.

"After nine years of having my life put into shambles =C2=85 I expect the

cash equivalency to help me make up for the damages to my life," he
said as he inhaled deeply from a hand-rolled cigarette, accompanied by
his stalwart friends.

He'd hope to state his case in court Friday after the federal Crown
dropped the charges, but Judge Kevin Phillips did not hear the
application.

Turner - who said he was "relieved" by the Crown's decision - is
preparing to file a separate motion.

He spent only 12 hours in jail after the arrest, but said the ordeal
had been traumatic for his children.

"I went through hell over these nine years," Turner said.
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