South Sacramento Medical-Marijuana Dispensary Owner Sentenced To 6 Years

[Truth Seeker]

A medical-marijuana dispensary owner was sentenced to 6 years in prison a year and a half after one of the first big federal raids.

Bryan Smith was caught with more than $250,000 in cash and 139 pounds of marijuana while operating what was once R & R Wellness in south Sacramento. He accepted a plea deal from federal prosecutors.

His attorney claims federal agents were out to target his client at the beginning of a large crackdown in October 2011.

"[The U.S. Attorney's Office] said they were going to make examples and issue indictments and sent people to federal prison who are operating these dispensaries, and this is one of those examples," said attorney Mark Reichel.

But U.S. Attorney Ben Wagner said this wasn't a typical dispensary operating under state and local rules.

"It's been very clear from the beginning that this case ... was not about sick people, but about money," he said.

Marijuana advocate Lanette Davies agrees with Wagner's assessment, saying cases like Smith's hurt the reputation of other medical-marijuana shops.

"It was a good chance he was committing a crime," she said. "You have one person do wrong, it makes the entire industry look bad.

With 19 states passing medical-marijuana laws, the highest branch of government may be forced to change as well. And a nationwide law may offer more clarity on who prosecutors should go after.

For now, Wagner says he will continue to go after those selling to recreational users.

"We are trying to go after the most egregious cases–like the Bryan Smith case–but there who are engaging in similar activity and they should be concerned."

Smith will not be able to appeal his federal case as a condition of the plea deal, but his lawyer hopes that the former pot shop owner will be let out early on good behavior.

News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: sacramento.cbslocal.com
Author: CBS 13
Contact: CBS13/CW31 « CBS Sacramento
Website: South Sacramento Medical-Marijuana Dispensary Owner Sentenced to 6 Years « CBS Sacramento

 

[DrOfDank]

“It was a good chance he was committing a crime,” she said.

It depends how you define 'crime', because according to the Supreme Court, in order for there to have been a crime committed, one must establish the corpus delicti, or Body of Crime, and these things MUST be present in order for there to have been a crime committed: causation of loss, injury or damage.
This is getting absurd and the people who are called for jury duty need to nullify these unjust laws. The only way they will stop prosecuting is if we stop convicting. Shame on us.

 

[CA215]

Exactly. Would like to know what exactly he was doing that was so wrong, NOT running a dispensary.
If he was doing some sketchy stuff then regardless, shame on him.
it's people like this that are in it for the money who are going to keep this plant from being legal.
The other half is our corrupt government... does anyone see a light at the end of the tunnel?

 

[DrOfDank]

Let's be real here, there's nothing wrong with wanting to go into business to turn a profit. "That farmer just grows corn so he can make money." Well, no shit! There's nothing WRONG with that! She said, "there's a good chance he was committing a crime", which means, "we have nothing on him, but since cannabis is illegal, he must be a scumbag for being in it."

 

[Gadfly]

Let's be real here, there's nothing wrong with wanting to go into business to turn a profit. "That farmer just grows corn so he can make money." Well, no shit! There's nothing WRONG with that! She said, "there's a good chance he was committing a crime", which means, "we have nothing on him, but since cannabis is illegal, he must be a scumbag for being in it."

The lady that made that comment was Lanette Davies, a pro marijuana advocate. Her point was that she doesn't want this guy Brian Smith and his dispensary associated w the legal movement.

I agree that it's silly that the dispensaries must operate as non-profits, but that is the way it is until the laws are changed. As these Federal thugs continue their unrighteous war against we the people, folks like Smith will provide the easiest of targets. Let us all learn something from his experience.

 

[Shanty]

How much, is there a limit in the state law that allows 139 pounds to be held at once? I have no clue, maybe that much is a month supply, just wonder if the state controls how much on site at any given time.

This is your Boy Obama. All he tells his AG, stop. This was one that maybe should not have been stopped, but so many others. Why don't we just toss the 10th Amendment, it seems it is not something the Federal Government follows.

 

[DrOfDank]

Why don't we just toss the 10th Amendment, it seems it is not something the Federal Government follows.

Why don't we just say fuck the federal government?

 

[CA215]

Why don't we just say fuck the federal government?

Seems like the easiest thing to do, right?


done, and done