Pubdate: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC) Copyright: The Vancouver Sun 1999 Contact: 200 Granville Street, Ste.#1, Vancouver BC V6C 3N3 Fax: (604) 605-2323 Website: http://www.vancouversun.com/ Related: Renee Boje's Legal Defense Fund http://thecompassionclub.org/renee/ Bookmark: Link to over 20 articles about Renee Boje http://www.mapinc.org/renee.htm AMERICAN MEDICAL MARIJUANA ADVOCATE RETURNS TO COURT An American woman fighting extradition to California to face drug charges stemming from a medical-marijuana grow operation was in court briefly Wednesday. Final arguments began in the extradition hearing for Renee Boje, 30. The New York artist faces drug manufacturing, distribution and conspiracy charges, which carry a minimum 10-year sentence. But Boje's lawyer, John Conroy, argued Wednesday that there was no proof his client was involved in a conspiracy to traffic the drugs. "There's no evidence she's the member of a conspiracy," Conroy argued. He has also said statements she allegedly made to police after her arrest weren't voluntary. Conroy has also argued the charges are political, arising from U.S. federal opposition to California's medical-marijuana policy. Boje was arrested in 1997 along with medical-marijuana advocates Todd McCormick and Peter McWilliams and several others after federal officials found thousands of marijuana plants growing at a Bel-Air mansion and three other leased locations in Los Angeles County. Boje was arrested after police claimed to have observed her and another woman watering some of the pot plants one day. They also observed her smoking a bong, according to police reports. But "there is no evidence what was in the bong," Conroy said. McWilliams, a self-help publisher who suffers from AIDS and cancer, said he uses pot to fight nausea and stimulate his appetite while he takes AIDS-fighting drugs. McCormick also suffers from cancer. They are accused of growing the pot and trying to sell it to the Los Angeles Cannabis Buyers Club, which has dispensed the drug since Californians voted in 1996 to legalize it for medical use. But a U.S. federal judge ruled McWilliams and McCormick could not use the defence of medical necessity at their trial because while California's Proposition 215 allows the personal use of marijuana for medical purposes, U.S. federal law does not and state laws don't apply to federal offences. Boje came to Canada last year on advice from her lawyer after the charges were briefly withdrawn. She was arrested last February when RCMP raided a Sechelt, B.C., marijuana-grow operation where she was staying. U.S. authorities then requested her extradition. The case returns to court Dec. 21 for final arguments. Boje had claimed refugee status in Canada on political grounds, but the claim has been denied by the Immigration and Refugee Board. Boje said Wednesday she will appeal. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake