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Hempology 101s leader returns to UVic campus
By Hempology | February 3, 2005
Marijuana smoke drifted lazily from a crowd of students gathered on a University of Victoria lawn Wednesday afternoon.
However, the president of the Hempology 101 Club, resisted the temptation to light up.
BY JUDITH LAVOIE AND RICHARD WATTS Times Colonist staff
No, not me. I am needing to be far more careful so I dont get arrested again, said Ted Smith, Victorias high-profile and outspoken champion of marijuana, who was fined $500 earlier in the day for trafficking in marijuana.
It was the first time in four years that Smith had been allowed to return to UVic, where the club meets every week, and he was greeted with cheers and applause.
I am very happy and glad to be back. Its something I didnt expect. I thought I could be going to jail today, he said.
Smith was arrested by Saanich police undercover officers investigating a complaint from campus security, after a club rally in November 2000 where he passed out a few marijuana cigarettes. A condition of his release on bail was that he stay away from UVic.
Now, with the conviction on the books and no order to stay away, Smith intends to again take up the reins of Hempology 101. While students inhaled deeply and carefully passed joints to friends, Smith told smokers to make sure no evidence was left for undercover police officers. Were going to make sure every roach gets smoked down to the last little bit of resin. The only evidence will be the smile you walk away with, said Smith, exhorting any undercover police officers to repent and join the fight to change Canadas marijuana laws.
However, during the half-hour meeting there was no overt sign of campus security or police.
The public smoking is an act of protest, said blue-haired Rebecca, who would not give her last name. If I just wanted to smoke pot I would do it with a smaller group of friends, she said.
A protest rally organized by Smith will be held at noon today outside Victoria MP David Andersons office at 970 Blanshard St. This will only signal the beginning of our fight to change the laws, Smith said.
In provincial court, Judge Judith Kay rejected the calls for an absolute discharge from Smiths lawyer. Smith knew what he was doing was against the law, Kay said.
His behaviour can only be characterized as poking his finger in the eye of the law.
Kay convicted Smith on Jan. 20 of trafficking in marijuana in amounts under three kilograms.
Smith is a longtime advocate for the use of marijuana as medicine for people suffering incurable diseases or conditions such as hepatitis C or epilepsy. He is a founder of the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club, which supplies medicinal marijuana to people who can supply proof of incurable illness or condition.
Smith told Kay he has no job and no permanent home. He said he lives off the charity of others, sleeping on couches or in basements while he continues his work advance the cause of marijuana.
Wednesdays sentence was the second for Smith in recent weeks.
Last month he was convicted of possession of cannabis resin for the purpose of trafficking in connection with cookies seized at the Cannabis Buyers Club in 2002. He was handed a nine-month conditional discharge.
He will be back in court in March for trial on a charge of trafficking arising from a gathering at the Victoria Public Library in 2000. It is contended marijuana cookies were passed.
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