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News by Maureen McNamee Campaign fights for cannabis use as herbal medicine A Calgary man known for his efforts to legalize the distribution and use of cannabis for medicinal purposes is looking for community support at his upcoming trial. Grant Krieger, who has multiple sclerosis, says he is scheduled to make his 27th court appearance this October after he breached probation, a condition of his conviction for cultivation and distribution. "I refused to report to the parole officer – society does not have the right to dictate to me how to go about healing my body," he says. Krieger explains that he does not intend to stop using cannabis because it helps control the spasms caused by his illness – enabling him to walk and drive a five-speed standard car – so he considers visiting a probation officer a waste of time and money, especially considering the fact he lives on Canada Pension Plan funding. If he returns to jail and is denied access to the drug – he was previously incarcerated for 16 days – he fears he will once again be bed-ridden or forced to use a wheelchair. "All I’ve done is I’ve put myself back to a point where I’m capable of living a fairly normal life," he adds. "Do they have the right to make me sit in a wheelchair?" Krieger says he and others who are living with debilitating diseases should be able to have the best quality of life possible, and cannabis is an herbal medicine that can stimulate appetite, suppress nausea and reduce spasms. He is asking supporters to attend the trial, where he plans to issue a Charter of Rights challenge, or to phone their member of parliament. In the meantime, Krieger is launching a cookbook which will be distributed at local hemp stores. Cooking for Life: Recipes with Cannabis Butter, by Marie C.R. Krieger with Grant W. Krieger, which also features his biography, will help fund his research foundation on cannabis and health. The book will be available next week. "It’s not for recreational use, it’s for ill people," he adds.

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