Charges stayed for medicinal pot user
By: April Scott, Osgoode/Rideau Packet (CN ON), 08-05-05


A month and a half after she was charged for "unlawfully producing substances", Margaret Harrington's charges have been stayed. A stay means Ms.Harrington has not been convicted of charges but the charges are in limbo for a year and can be revisited if another incident arises.

"I don't think it was fair. I think the charges should have been dropped," said the 51-year-old Kemptville woman. "If anything happens within the next year, this can be brought up again."

Ms. Harrington is a Marijuana Medical Access Regulations (MMAR) cardholder and was growing the medicinal drug because, like many other medicinal users she says the government supply is "substandard."

Ms. Harrington had applied for a permit to grow marijuana but had not yet received her card in the mail when the O.P.P. came to her house on April 22 for a separate matter.

The officers apparently smelt the overpowering scent coming from her basement and confiscated her 25 plants and bulbs when she could only provide the officers with her MMAR card and not the separate growing permit. Ms. Harrington received her permit to grow the three days after the seizure.

"{The police) made a really big deal out of this," she said.

Ms. Harrington, who suffers from chronic pain due to fibromyalgia and other ailments, said that the whole ordeal has been stressful on her and her family.

"This woman is already sick, she doesn't need more stress," said Tim Meehan, communications director at the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws Canada.

Mr. Meehan, who was at the court proceedings on July 6, said the crown attorney acted as though he was doing Ms. Harrington a favour by not pushing the case. "They weren't doing her any favours. They backed down because they knew they weren't going to win."

Ms. Harrington said she started growing plants again the day she received her card in the mail and that her lawyers are working to get back her growing materials that were confiscated.

"I think it should be legal for anyone in severe pain (to have access to medicinal marijuana)," said Ms. Harrington.

© 2005 H.U.M.A.N.: Hemp Users Medical Access Network - Toronto Medical Marijuana