Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
A jury will decide if man who claims he owned a medical marijuana dispensary in Western North Carolina is guilty of several charges, including trafficking and manufacturing marijuana.
Todd Stimson's said his Henderson County business, the Blue ridge Medical Cannabis Research Corporation, was raided in July 2013 by state and local law enforcement.
Prosecutors said 75 marijuana plants were discovered inside Stimson's home. The plants were valued at close to $250,000.
Protesters arrived outside the Henderson County Courthouse as testimony began Tuesday.
The protesters claim Stimson was wrongly charged.
Stimson claims that he had the proper permits to sell medical marijuana, paid the state taxes, and hopes that his case will help the state move towards acceptance of medical marijuana.
"I wanted to work across the board and help everyone, instead of specifically sitting there labeling somebody, or wanting to butt heads with somebody, because we can all work together with something that is peaceful as this plan," Stimson said.
Stimson also claims the plants he was selling were not the same as the marijuana people buy on the street.
"When it's a raw material, there's no psychoactivity to it because it has to be heated up to activate those psychoactive materials in it," Stimson said. "So when it's a raw material, it's considered a vegetable. It's not a controlled substance if you can't catch a buzz off it."
Stimson and his supporters are hoping for a jury nullification in the case, which means that even if jurors find Stimson guilty of the charges, they can acquit him is they disagree with the laws he's accused of breaking or feel the laws should not have been applied.
The Henderson County district attorney said his office will uphold the current laws and seek a conviction.
"I respect the right of people to publicly protest any issue, including marijuana laws," District Attorney Greg Newman said. "But no one has the right to openly and flagrantly disregard the laws of North Carolina. When people flout the law, they should expect to be held accountable in our judicial system. My office will continue to vigorously prosecute criminal actions in our courts, irrespective of the attempts by some in our community to rationalize illegal behavior."
Stimson could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical marijuana trial underway in Henderson County - FOX Carolina 21
Author: Dal Kalsi
Contact: dal.kalsi@foxcarolina.com
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Greenville, SC | News, Weather, Events, Photos | South Carolina - FOX Carolina 21
Todd Stimson's said his Henderson County business, the Blue ridge Medical Cannabis Research Corporation, was raided in July 2013 by state and local law enforcement.
Prosecutors said 75 marijuana plants were discovered inside Stimson's home. The plants were valued at close to $250,000.
Protesters arrived outside the Henderson County Courthouse as testimony began Tuesday.
The protesters claim Stimson was wrongly charged.
Stimson claims that he had the proper permits to sell medical marijuana, paid the state taxes, and hopes that his case will help the state move towards acceptance of medical marijuana.
"I wanted to work across the board and help everyone, instead of specifically sitting there labeling somebody, or wanting to butt heads with somebody, because we can all work together with something that is peaceful as this plan," Stimson said.
Stimson also claims the plants he was selling were not the same as the marijuana people buy on the street.
"When it's a raw material, there's no psychoactivity to it because it has to be heated up to activate those psychoactive materials in it," Stimson said. "So when it's a raw material, it's considered a vegetable. It's not a controlled substance if you can't catch a buzz off it."
Stimson and his supporters are hoping for a jury nullification in the case, which means that even if jurors find Stimson guilty of the charges, they can acquit him is they disagree with the laws he's accused of breaking or feel the laws should not have been applied.
The Henderson County district attorney said his office will uphold the current laws and seek a conviction.
"I respect the right of people to publicly protest any issue, including marijuana laws," District Attorney Greg Newman said. "But no one has the right to openly and flagrantly disregard the laws of North Carolina. When people flout the law, they should expect to be held accountable in our judicial system. My office will continue to vigorously prosecute criminal actions in our courts, irrespective of the attempts by some in our community to rationalize illegal behavior."
Stimson could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical marijuana trial underway in Henderson County - FOX Carolina 21
Author: Dal Kalsi
Contact: dal.kalsi@foxcarolina.com
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Greenville, SC | News, Weather, Events, Photos | South Carolina - FOX Carolina 21
