Pubdate: Fri, 08 Apr 2016
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2016 The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Bill Graveland
Page: S4

B.C. POT ACTIVIST CHARGED AFTER OFFICERS WERE CALLED TO RALLY IN CALGARY

Police say they were forced to bring in extra officers to a pot rally
for the arrest of a marijuana activist because the crowd had become
agitated.

"The crowd became aware of that occurring, then a number of people
came out and it =C2=85 elevated the incident somewhat as people were
becoming upset," Calgary Police Inspector Mike Bossley said Thursday
after Dana Larsen was charged.

"That really required additional response from the police just to make
sure that it stayed as a peaceful event."

Mr. Larsen, who is from Vancouver, was in Calgary on Wednesday night
with his "Overgrow Canada" campaign in which he aims to distribute one
million pot seeds to be planted in public places.

He led an unsuccessful bid for a marijuana referendum in British
Columbia and has run a medicinal cannabis dispensary for seven years.

After the rally, as angry supporters watched, officers escorted Mr.
Larsen and another man to a police car. Supporters chanted "Shame!
Shame!"

Police said a search of the van belonging to Mr. Larsen resulted in
the seizure of 119 grams of marijuana, nearly 1,100 grams of marijuana
seeds and a small amount of cannabis resin and oil.

Mr. Larsen, 44, is charged with one count of trafficking marijuana and
a charge of possession for the purpose of trafficking. He was released
from custody and is to appear in court May 18.

The other man was released without charges.

Insp. Bossley, who acknowledged that Mr. Larsen made it pretty clear
what he was intending to do, said five officers were initially brought
in for the rally. There were about a dozen on hand by the time of the
arrest.

He said he doesn't think it was an over-reaction.

"The officers are there to keep the peace and to protect the public.
We took what we believed to be the appropriate reaction with the
limited number of resources present initially. As things became a
little more heated, we ended up bringing additional officers there to
support the event."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau campaigned on a promise to legalize
marijuana but has recently said that may be more difficult to do than
expected. He wants to consult with the provinces before taking any
action.

Mr. Larsen served 10 years as editor of Cannabis Culture magazine and
was a founding member of the B.C. Marijuana Party and the Canadian
Marijuana Party.

In 2011, he ran for the leadership of the provincial NDP in British
Columbia.
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MAP posted-by: Matt