Edmonton Fireman Fined And
Given Probation For Growing His Own "Potent Pot"
In "Sophisticated Hydroponic Grow-Operation" -- With 15 Medical Marijuana
Plants! --
Bad Journalism and Bad Laws
See
78 Percent Of
Canadians Favor Medical Marijuana – What Is Rock Waiting On? DEAland? SMOKE
EATER FINED $2,500 FOR POT
(Marijuananews note: There is something terribly ironic about the
headline, but the irony in the story is clearly unintentional.)
April 7, 1999
Edmonton Sun
sun.letters@ccinet.ab.ca
http://www.canoe.ca/EdmontonSun/
http://www.canoe.ca/Chat/home.html
By Tony Blais
A city firefighter who was growing potent pot in his
basement to combat depression and physical pain was fined $2,500 yesterday in provincial
court.
(Marijuananews note: The Canadian dollar is around US 65 cents.)
Dean Troyer, 41, was also put on probation for six months after pleading guilty to
simple marijuana possession and cultivating marijuana.
His wife Marie had similar charges dropped yesterday.
The 17-year veteran smoke eater had been very vocal about his
marijuana use for medicinal purposes at an earlier court appearance and had compared his
hydroponic operation to his home wine-brewing.
However, neither Troyer nor lawyer Alex Pringle had any comment after yesterday’s
sentencing.
Inside court, Troyer apologized for his actions and said they
have led to some hard times for his family.
"I’ve certainly learned a lesson through all of this," said Troyer, who
has been on stress leave from his position as a senior firefighter for two years.
(Marijuananews note: Yes, he should have learned that there is neither justice nor good
journalism in Edmonton.)
See
Edmonton
Superweed Reefer Madness Embarrasses Justice Minister;
Local Paper Opposes Even Medical Marijuana
and
More
Prohibitionist Nonsense From Edmonton About Indoor Growing; RCMP Targets Property And
Assets
and
Edmonton Police
Actually Claim That Canadian Marijuana Is Being Exported To Mexico –
If You Believe That…
Edmonton fire Chief Jim Sales is looking into the case and will decide whether the
sentence will affect Troyer’s ability to do his job, said a spokesman with the
emergency response department yesterday.
"The severity of the offences will be a factor," said Jean Kirkman, adding
the city does not have a blanket policy on employees who are convicted of criminal
offences.
Federal prosecutor Carrie Sharpe told court that Troyer was busted by RCMP drug
investigators after they raided his west-end home on Sept. 17, 1997.
Cops discovered a sophisticated hydroponic grow-operation
in his basement with 15 plants, eight of which were up to one metre tall. About four
ounces of drying marijuana buds were hanging from the floor joists, said Sharpe.
Another three ounces of dried marijuana buds and more than six ounces of marijuana
leaves were also found, evidence that it wasn’t the first crop grown there, said
Sharpe.
Sharpe, who was seeking an intermittent jail term, said
police tested the marijuana and discovered it had a high potency.
(Marijuananews note: What does that mean? How high? A real
journalist would ask those questions. But then he couldn’t get a job at the Edmonton
Sun.)
"This isn’t someone who is just growing marijuana in their
closet," said Sharpe. "There is definitely some level of
sophistication here."
(Marijuananews note: Is being "sophisticated" a crime in
Canada? What does that mean? Could someone be acquitted for having a naïve grow
operation?)
Pringle told the court that Troyer is seeing a psychologist for depression, which has
kept him on medical leave since 1997.
He added the firefighter also has bouts of excruciating pain due to a tear in his anus
that leaves a bundle of nerves exposed.
"The marijuana helped in both of these conditions and was the primary factor
behind the growing operation," said Pringle.
Supported