CHAVEZ APPEAL DENIED

Activist's Marijuana Conviction Upheld

The 4th District Court of Appeal in Santa Ana last week upheld the 1998
conviction of medicinal-marijuana activist Marvin Chavez.

Chavez, 48, of Santa Ana, was convicted of furnishing marijuana to officers
who claimed a medical need. He got a six-year prison sentence, but was
released pending appeal. Chavez could now be returned to prison.

The court rejected arguments of prosecutorial misconduct and that Chavez's
conduct was permitted by Proposition 215.

Note: Marvin called me this morning when he read this in the paper. He
was unaware of the decision. Unless he is taken into custody and returned
to prison beforehand, he will be with us at the Santa Ana DEA protest tomorrow.