COURT DATE SET FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACTIVISTS

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 25 - Todd McCormick, Peter McWilliams and others accused
of growing pot for medical marijuana clubs say they have the right to do so
under Proposition 215. On Sept. 7, they’ll have to defend that claim in
federal court.

U.S. District Judge George H. King will preside over the trial.

McCormick was arrested in July 1997 after authorities discovered more than
4,000 marijuana plants growing in a rented Bel-Air mansion.

McWilliams and four others were arrested nearly a year later, after
authorities said they had evidence that he and McCormick were plotting to
grow and sell thousands of pounds of pot to sell to buyers’ clubs.

McCormick, who suffers from complications brought on by several bouts with
a rare form of cancer, and McWilliams, who has AIDS, claim they have the
right to grow marijuana under Proposition 215, the state ballot initiative
passed in 1996 that decriminalized pot for medical use in some cases. Both
deny alleged plans to sell pot.

McCormick is due in court on March 17 for a bail revocation hearing.

Prosecutors say he tested positive for marijuana use several times while
free on $500,000 bail, which actor Woody Harrelson posted.