AGING 'HIPPIE' JAILED FOR CULTIVATING POT

A 60-year-old "hippie who hasn't grown up yet" was sentenced to 90 days in
jail yesterday for growing pot in his back yard.

Joseph J. Dabros has a history of marijuana use, said his lawyer Don
Crawford, and "at this age is still dabbling . . . I guess old habits die
hard."

Dabros pleaded guilty earlier in Ontario Court, general division to
cultivation of marijuana and simple possession.

On Aug. 8, 1996, police found 10 plants worth about $2,500 in the back yard
and basement of the London home Dabros shares with his elderly mother.

Crawford told Justice John Desotti that his client comes from a good family
and is above average in intelligence. One family member is a general in the
Canadian Armed Forces.

Dabros, however, is content to live on the rent from farm land he owns and,
in a few years, will be collecting old age security, said the lawyer.

He said Dabros is almost "more of a nuisance" to police than a law
enforcement problem.

Desotti accepted the joint sentencing submission by Crawford and federal
prosecutor Dave Rocliffe and a smiling, cheerful Dabros was led away to
serve his time.

Copyright (c) 1998 The London Free Press

Checked-by: "Rolf Ernst"