KITCHENER — Jeffrey Shaver, suddenly famous, vows to continue his bong-smoking, underwear-clad protests, despite word from police that they will try to address his concerns.

"I will be periodically protesting at the Cambridge and Kitchener police stations and at the courthouse in Kitchener until the matter is resolved," the Cambridge man said in an email on Wednesday.

On Tuesday morning, Shaver, 31, smoked a bong while wearing only skimpy neon green underwear during a protest beside the Kitchener courthouse.

Shaver says he has a medical marijuana card and claims Waterloo Regional Police wrongfully arrested him for pot possession last October. He says they seized his bong and a small amount of marijuana — and he wants them back.

Shaver's story has been lighting up The Record's website with a record number of hits.

The initial story on The Record's Facebook page had dozens of comments and 215 shares by late Wednesday afternoon.

"That is hilarious!!" one reader posted. "All the trouble going on in the world that can't be solved and then there is this guy who just wants his bong back and his world would be complete."

Other media have picked up on the story.

Shaver's story and photo got top spot on vice.com under the headline, "This Speedo-Wearing Dude Wants His Bong and Weed Back." A secondary headline announces, "Jeffrey Shaver is Not Only the Hero We Need, He's the Hero We Deserve."

The story is even translated on an Indonesian website.

So how does Shaver feel about his instant fame? His response was understated.

"I have mostly been getting positive feedback," he said. "I just hope this light can speed things up a bit and bring some attention to the issue."

Pressed, he acknowledged: "I didn't think it would blow up so big. I had to change my Facebook settings because I have hundreds of people trying to add and contact me."

He said a "great thing" about the coverage is other medical marijuana patients have contacted him and some said they may join him at protests.

Who is Jeffrey Shaver? He said he graduated in 2010 from Conestoga College's mechanical engineering robotics and automation program.

"I then got a job in the automotive industry designing programming and building automated industrial equipment and productivity software for manufacturing on the shop floor," he said.

"I became a licensed electrician apprentice and completed all schooling at Conestoga, graduating on honour roll. In late 2014 I ran into an issue with my employer that is currently subject of a Guelph small claims matter that is ongoing."

Shaver said he is considering upgrading his studies at McMaster University and is looking for part-time work in his field.

He was asked about his family.

"Would like to keep my family out of it. Family is supportive, though," he said.

When police seized his pot and bong, Shaver filed a complaint with the Office of the Independent Police Review Director (OIPRD), which oversees all complaints about police in Ontario.

"The Waterloo Regional Police Service is reviewing the circumstances of Mr. Shaver's claim," regional police Insp. Mike Haffner said in an email on Wednesday.

"We are in receipt of a complaint registered with the OIPRD and as such are unable to comment on the status of that process."

But police will "connect with Mr. Shaver upon conclusion of the review in an attempt to address his concerns and resolve the issue," Haffner said. "We appreciate Mr. Shaver's frustrations and want to assure him that his concerns are being looked at and will be addressed."

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Shaver, who smokes pot to treat anxiety, depression and back pain, claims the officer who arrested him was "ignorant of the law."

"He was quoting a 2013 law, not applicable anymore," Shaver said.

"The big difference is that you don't have a Health Canada-issued card now — you have a card issued by a producer that's licensed by Health Canada.

"I had that card and I presented it. They wouldn't accept it."

On Wednesday, told about Haffner's comments, Shaver was unimpressed.

"I would say that police need more training," he said. "I have had many officers ask to see my licence, not because they wanted to check it's legitimate (they knew who I was and had heard the history), but because they have never seen one before and were curious."

For months prior to the courthouse protest, Shaver smoked marijuana — with his clothes on — in the smoking area outside the building.

Seeking more attention, he researched indecent exposure "to see just what the limit is on minimum of clothing." He settled on revealing undies and began protesting in front of local police stations and the courthouse.

Why neon green underwear?

"I have many colours. On the first day I did this, I was wearing a pastel pink. Then a yellow pair with green chili peppers. I still have many colours left without having to repeat."

He said he prefers "the Speedo style, not boxer style."

Will Shaver start his own fashion line? Although he went topless on Tuesday, he has previously worn a "Return My Weed & Bong" shirt. He said people have asked where they can buy one.

"I may have to get some printed up for sale if people keep asking."

At Tuesday's nearly naked courthouse protest, which lasted a few hours, Shaver smoked a bong beside two big signs: Return My Bong and Return My Marijuana.

Lawyer Hal Mattson, who witnessed the spectacle, joked in an interview on Wednesday: "He needs one more sign out there: 'Give Me My Clothes Back.'"

- Man protests at court over pot, bong seizure