As you probably know, I was tried in 2003 for providing marijuana starter plants to medical marijuana distribution centers. The exact charges were manufacture, providing a place to manufacture and conspiracy. The jury found me guilty on all three felony counts.

 

Within four days of the trial eight of the jurors repudiated the verdict. After leaving the jury box they learned the whole truth. They had not been allowed to hear that I was appointed as a City Officer empowered to provide patients with medical marijuana. Jury members told the media that they felt that they had been used and worse. One of the jurors revealed that she had consulted a lawyer about the trial while she was a juror.

 

After considering all the facts of the case the judge sentenced me to one day in prison, time served. I appealed the convictions on three grounds: improper actions by the juror, the fact that I was a city officer should have exempted me from prosecution under federal law and that even if I was not protected I had been led to believe I was by proper authorities and thus should be free from prosecution under the rules of estoppel, that is, when a person is advised by the government that his/her actions are legal, they shouldn’t be arrested even if the individual was ill-advised.

 

The 9^th circuit reversed the conviction on the basis of a juror’s fear of voting against the judge’s instructions and held that I could be re-tried. The trial was set for late October. However, just a few weeks ago the prosecutor filed a superseding indictment charging me with 14 counts including filing false tax returns, money laundering $1,800 as well as manufacturing and conspiracy. The sentencing structure for this case could put me away for the rest of my life. I don’t plan to lose this case.

 

Just as it is for me, this is an extremely important case for the government. The Bush regime hopes that winning this case will give them a pass to attack all providers functioning under the California Medical Laws, as well as decimating progress made in the other states with medical marijuana laws. As you may know, the federal authorities closed all of the medical facilities in San Diego in September. In October they closed a few facilities in rural areas of California as well as San Francisco and in Los Angeles. Now in late January they are on another rampage in southern California.

 

My success, not guilty verdicts, will send a message to the government that the public will not tolerate federal interference in state medical programs. It will be a major setback for the government’s efforts to contain the medical marijuana phenomenon

 

I have recruited an extremely well qualified and dedicated legal team to work at a reduced rate. Even so we will need funds for court expenses as well as publicity. This is a critical moment and I am reaching out to my friends, to political activists and to all who have voiced concern about this issue as well as those concerned about my well being. Please help me fight these laws. Give me the tools so I can win this battle.

 

The first trial cost over $350,000 and used up most of my savings. It left me in a critical, vulnerable position financially. I don’t have the money to finance this trial. Help me win this battle so to protect medical marijuana users and dispensaries throughout the state and country.

 

To be honest, my experience in asking readers to help out the marijuana movement financially has been a failure in the past. Almost all of you will read this, sympathize with my position, and then turn the page, thinking that it’s not your concern. However, the outcome of Marc’s extradition hearings and my trial will have a direct impact on your lives. These are cutting edge cases that the U.S. government is attempting to use to intimidate activists in their battle against marijuana. You can help turn the tide by making a generous contribution to Green-Aid.com . Green-Aid is a tax deductible non-profit organization that with a goal of challenging the laws using tipping point court cases.

 

This case will cost about $300,000. I am asking everybody who values their relationship with marijuana to contribute. Are there 300 people reading this letter who value changing the laws as much as a quarter lb.? Or a thousand people who are willing to contribute the value of one ounce? If you can’t afford that, you could give the equivalent of a quarter ounce. Please help.

 

With your help, these laws are doomed!

 

Stay free,

 

Ed.-