DENNIS PERON OFF THE HOOK IN UTAH

Dennis Peron: "THE POT I HAD IS LEGAL IN CALIFORNIA, I GREW IT, I
DIDN'T BUY IT, I DIDN'T SELL IT. IT'S MINE!"

One of the country's biggest proponents of using marijuana for
medical reasons is off the hook in Utah, after a Cedar City Judge
ruled the pot was illegally seized. Dennis Peron, who successfully
led the campaign to get marijuana legalized as a medicine in
California, has been fighting prosecution in Utah, after he was
arrested for possessing a pound of pot. A judge decided police should
have had a search warrant before they entered Peron's motel room back
in the Fall of 2001. News Specialist Sam Penrod is live in the
newsroom with more.

In a written ruling issued by 5th District Judge Phillip Eves,
evidence taken from the Cedar City motel room occupied by Dennis
Peron and two of his traveling companions cannot be used against
them. Back in November of 2001, Cedar City police had responded to
the motel, after receiving a complaint. They went into the room and
discovered a pound of marijuana and $4500 in cash. Peron, who
operates a website advocating the use of marijuana and two other men,
who were in Utah sightseeing, were charged with felony possession of
marijuana with intent to distribute, along with drug paraphenila.
Peron tells KSL Newsradio he's relieved to be exonerated.

Dennis Peron: "I'M GLAD THE CONSTITUTION IS STILL ALIVE. I'M LOOKING
FORWARD TO HANGING OUT IN UTAH, I HOPE THAT SOMEDAY WE CAN LEGALIZE
MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN UTAH."

Peron had previously lost his argument that a prescription from a
California doctor gave him the legal right to have the drug. And
there is no indication the judge's decision reflects a person's right
to use marijuana for medical purposes, rather the ruling cites
unlawful search and seizure, which is prohibited under the Fourth
Amendment. The Iron County attorney says he can either appeal the
judge's decision to a higher court or dismiss the charges. That
decision is expected within a month.

- --
- ----
Dale Gieringer (415) 563-5858 // canorml@igc.org
2215-R Market St. #278, San Francisco CA 94114