Legal Commentary

Men Sentenced to 20 Years Plus for Medical Pot

By Jeralyn

In California, two men have been sentenced to 20 and 22 years for dispensing medical pot. Federal prosecutors had asked for 24 and 30 years.

The case was closely watched because of the clash between state and federal marijuana laws. To federal authorities, it was simple. Though California voters legalized the medical use of marijuana in 1996 under Proposition 215, federal law trumps state law and federal law views the drug -- even when used for medical purposes -- as illegal.

.... Friday, Scarmazzo cast himself and Montes as crusaders who went to trial rather than cut a plea deal with authorities because they are fighting for the rights of medical-marijuana users.

President-Elect Barack Obama pledged to stop federal raids on medical marijuana dispensaries -- although he was the last of the ten Democratic candidates to do so. We need him to hold Attorney General Eric Holder to it. Anyone taking bets?

In other Modesto, CA news, a man got 35 years for stealing a purse. No wonder California prisons are bursting at the seams.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on November 23, 2008 (boomark / email).