Medical Marijuana: In Wake of Holder Comments, Federal Judge Postpones Sentencing of California Medical Marijuana Provider Charles Lynch
Charles Lynch expected to be sentenced to a mandatory minimum federal prison term Monday for operating a medical marijuana dispensary legal under state and local laws, but it didn't happen. Instead, US District Court Judge George Wu postponed the proceedings, telling prosecutors he wanted more information about what appears to be a Justice Department change of heart and policy regarding such prosecutions.
Charlie Lynch (from friendsofccl.com)
Under Bush administration policy, which did not recognize any distinction between medical and non-medical marijuana, California dispensary operators were targeted for DEA raids and federal prosecutions with no regard for their compliance with state laws. Prosecutions like those of Lynch, who was found guilty in federal court last August, generated loud and boisterous solidarity movements, protests, and scorn toward the federal government.
Judge Wu said he did not believe the apparent change in policy would affect Lynch's conviction, but he said he wanted to consider any new information about the policy change before he imposed sentence on the 47-year-old Lynch.
Federal marijuana law calls for mandatory minimum sentences in cases involving more than 100 pounds or plants, as was the case with Lynch. We can only hope, given the apparent turnaround in federal policy, that Judge Wu finds a way to make his sentence fit the new reality.
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redditsign the "Legalize marijuana, end the "War on Drugs'" petition!
Comment posted by Alan Paradis on Sat, 03/28/2009 - 3:43pmBillions of dollars are put into the criminalization of people using/selling a drug that has positive applications. When will you relax the federal rules concerning serious, scientific research into medicinal uses for marijuana and any associated long-term effects? We need to stop prosecuting medical marijuana patients.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/26/legalize-marijuana-and-end-the-sensele...
Time to change Uncle Scams diapers... again!
Comment posted by Anonymous on Fri, 03/27/2009 - 2:35pmThank You Judge Wu!
"he wanted more information about what appears to be a Justice Department change of heart and policy regarding such prosecutions."
more information is good... but what a nerve... suggesting more information is needed before violating a mans rights... what a novel idea!
Change of heart? Pleazzzzzz! Change of Guard is more like it...
Change of policy? Barely, considering that marijuana prohibition, and therefore persecution, will continue... to violate our inalienable rights!
"Such prosecutions"? You mean 'such persecutions'?
Pot is still 1 or 2 generations away from re-legalization or decriminalization... at best... if we continue the current battle plan of tax & regulate as advocated by our non-libertarian allies.
As long as ignorance, intolerance, righteousness, and gov't mandates rule the day... the prohibitionists will rule our lives!
The libertarian solution, re-legalization by returning amerika to 'the rule of lawful laws', is the 'honest' solution.
'Honesty'... their in lies the danger... when dealing with institutions founded on delusion!
Truth is Treason in the Kingdom of Lies - Ron Paul