Judge Orders Pot Crusader Krieger To Be Released On Bail

Thursday, June 28, 2007

by Calgary Herald
Calgary Herald

Alberta -- Medicinal marijuana crusader Grant Krieger was expected to be released from jail Wednesday night, after his lawyer succeeded in getting him bail until an appeal of his most recent conviction is heard.

Justice Peter Martin ordered the controversial Krieger to be released on bail after a hearing at the Alberta Court of Appeal on Wednesday, pending his appeal.

Krieger will not be allowed to distribute cannabis while on bail, and will have to report to the court each month. His lawyer, John Hooker, said both conditions were "pretty fair."

Krieger spent nine days of a four-month sentence at the Calgary Remand Centre after being convicted of drug trafficking in March. His appeal is not expected to be heard until at least October.

Krieger, who has multiple sclerosis, was convicted on two counts of trafficking after police seized two packages containing 801 grams of marijuana sent through his Grant Krieger Compassion Club to Manitoba for distribution to people with similar afflictions.

Friends and family of the pot advocate said last week they were concerned for Krieger's health after his incarceration and it is understood he has been confined to a wheelchair.

"He was going downhill," said Hooker.

Krieger will be allowed to smoke marijuana upon his release -- he has a constitutional exemption that allows him to use marijuana for his own medicinal purposes.

Copyright Calgary Herald.

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