Grant Krieger says "a great weight" was lifted from his shoulders after he was found not guilty of trafficking in marijuana.

Krieger, 47, was charged after police found 29 marijuana plants in his Bowness home.

He always admitted to growing and selling marijuana for medicinal purposes to people with AIDS, epilepsy and other diseases. But on Wednesday evening, a jury of 11 women and one man found that he was justified in breaking the law.

"My pleas to the court have finally been answered to help the sick and the ill of this nation," says Krieger. "Twelve of my peers decided that I did nothing wrong by supplying medicinal cannabis to people who are terminally ill and dying or in chronic pain situations who have nothing left to try except for suicide."

Krieger, himself, suffers from multiple sclerosis. A judge ruled last fall that he has the right to grow and use marijuana for medicinal purposes.

Despite the victory, his lawyer, Adriano Iovinelli, doesn't believe the court wrangling is over.

"I believe the Crown will appeal this," he says. "I think this may open the door for other individuals in similar circumstances to say, 'You know what, I do this as well.'

"It's the difference between coming out and facing possible criminal sanctions."

Still, Iovinelli notes it's the first time a jury has ruled in favour of a person accused with possession for the purpose of trafficking or trafficking in marijuana for medicinal use.

Health Canada says it will carefully study the implications of the case.