Pubdate: Fri, 08 Apr 2016
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2016 The Calgary Sun
Contact: http://www.calgarysun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.calgarysun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67
Authors: Clara Ho and Reid Southwick
Page: 4

BUSTED

Marijuana Activist Arrested for Seed Handout

Turns out giving away marijuana seeds will get you arrested ... at 
least in Calgary.

Vancouver's Dana Larsen, 44, a marijuana activist says his 
high-profile arrest in Calgary has only boosted the profile of his 
national seed giveaway campaign, which has attracted new seed orders 
and several offers from suppliers.

He is expected to appear in court on May 18.

Larsen was arrested at the Days Inn on Macleod Trail South as his 
Overgrow Canada event, dubbed "Free Marijuana - Overgrow the 
Government Tour," made its stop in Calgary, the second of 14 cities 
in the tour.

"This kind of police overreaction just gets people worked up, and 
gets me in the media all across the country," Larsen said in an interview.

"Far more people knew about this campaign than did (Wednesday), and 
far more of them are interested in getting seeds and participating 
than did (Wednesday).

"In that sense, this has only helped my efforts."

On the Overgrow Canada website, Larsen says he's giving away seeds as 
part of what he calls the largest civil disobedience campaign in 
Canada's history, ahead of promised legalization by Ottawa.

Insp. Mike Bossley said even though at least five police officers 
were in attendance, the organizer began distributing marijuana seeds 
to members in the audience.

After a Calgary police inspector spoke to Larsen, he allegedly 
continued to distribute more seed packages at which point he was arrested.

"Everybody has a right to a peaceful demonstration and conversation. 
So we allowed that process to take place," Bossley said.

"As that process took place, we recognized that the seeds that were 
being trafficked essentially, it was articulated they were in fact 
marijuana seeds. And as more and more information came to light, 
officers took the actions they did."

Officers also searched the van belonging to the event organizer and 
seized 119 grams of marijuana worth about $1,190, 1,097 grams of 
marijuana seeds worth about $30,000, and a small amount of cannabis 
resin and oil.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom