Pubdate: Mon, 02 Feb 2009

Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC)

Copyright: 2009 Canoe Inc

Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/

Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837

Author: Matt Kieltyka, 24 Hours

Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada)

Cited: http://www.thevics.com/ Vancouver Island Compassion Society

BC SUPREME COURT RULES IN FAVOUR OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA

[photo]

A relieved Mathew Beren (right) looks on as lawyer Kirk Tousaw and

Vancouver Island Compassion Society founder Philippe Lucas brief media on

his precedent-setting trial.

Compassion clubs and other medical marijuana distributors should have

restrictions on them lifted, a B.C. Supreme Court judge ruled on Monday.

To the delight of a packed courtroom in Vancouver, Justice Marvyn

Koenigsberg said federal regulations that limit people's access to

medicinal cannabis are "constitutionally invalid" and gave the government

a year to amend the rules.

The current rules under the federal medical marijuana program limit a

supplier from providing marijuana to more than one patient and restrict

growers from sharing a common space.

Koenigsberg made the ruling during the trial of Vancouver Island resident

Mathew Beren.

In 2004, RCMP raided a grow-op Beren ran in Sooke and charged him with

trafficking.

Koenigsberg found Beren guilty on two drug-related charges Monday but

granted him an absolute discharge because he grew marijuana exclusively

for the Vancouver Island Compassion Society.

The discharge means Beren may continue to grow marijuana for the VICS, a

non-profit that distributes marijuana to 850 patients.

"In my view, it would be contrary to public interest for Mr. Beren to have

criminal record," Koenigsberg told the courtroom. "If ever there was a

case where an absolute discharge is appropriate, it's this one."

Outside the courthouse, Beren told media he was overjoyed by the decision.

"We're talking 14 years to life for what? For helping people?" he said. "I

want to make sure people that need medical marijuana can get it without

the dangers of the street. It's an awesome day."

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MAP posted-by: Doug

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