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CHARGES STAYED IN MEDICAL POT CASE
By Hempology | September 8, 2005
TRURO – Despite his best efforts, a high-profile medical marijuana user and supplier charged with drug trafficking didn’t get his day in court Tuesday.
“I really wanted to put an end to this,” 40-year-old John Cook said outside a Truro courtroom after two charges were stayed by Crown Attorney Cameron MacKinnon without explanation
.
“I assume it’s just too messy a situation for them to deal with,” said Mr. Cook, a Harrietsfield, Halifax County, resident and provincial director for the Cannabis Buyers’ Club of Canada.
“We have public sentiment on our side,” he said, referring to the medical marijuana issue.
Mr. Cook was charged with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking and trafficking after 500 grams of the drug were seized by police at a Truro bus station in January while he was en route from Springhill to Halifax.
Charges against a co-accused, 40-year-old Stephen Edward Chute of Springhill, were also stayed.
By staying the charges, Mr. MacKinnon reserves the right to pursue them again within a year.
Mr. Cook had intended to represent himself, and argue that court decisions made in other provinces give medical marijuana users across Canada the right to possess and cultivate their drugs, without a federal permit.
“I want to prove that possession and cultivation laws ( for medical users ) aren’t even on the books anymore.”
He vowed to continue supplying 50 clients of his compassion club with medical marijuana, and will also apply to the Supreme Court to get his seized pot, or $7,500 cash equivalent, back from police.
“I’m sure it’s not of much medicinal value now.”
He made an unsuccessful bid in June to get the marijuana back, and was told it was needed as evidence for his trial.
Mr. Cook started running the club from his home after injuring his back.
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