MEDICAL MARIJUANA ADVOCATE PLEADS INNOCENT TO CHARGES

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Medical marijuana advocate Todd McCormick pleaded
innocent Monday to federal charges of conspiring to grow the drug in a
Bel-Air mansion where authorities found more than 4,000 marijuana plants.

McCormick and six others were indicted on charges of conspiracy to grow
marijuana, possessing the drug with the intent to distribute, and
distributing it. McCormick's indictment superseded a previous charge of
conspiracy to manufacture marijuana.

The group allegedly grew marijuana at four leased locations in Los Angeles
County, distributed it and tried to sell to the Los Angeles Cannibis
Buyer's Club, which has dispensed the drug since Californians voted in 1996
to legalize it for medical use.

McCormick, who is free on bail, has maintained he has done nothing illegal
under Proposition 215, which legalized the cultivation, use and possession
of marijuana for medicinal purposes on a doctor's recommendation. Federal
courts have not recognized the state law.

The activist claims marijuana helps ease the pain from a rare form of
cancer he has suffered since childhood. He also suffers pain from hip and
back problems.

McCormick entered his plea Monday with one of his co-defendants, Andrew
Scott Hass. Two others also indicted in July pleaded innocent last week and
two others were expected to enter pleas next week. A bench warrant was
issued for a seventh defendant, Kirill Dyjine, who failed to show up to
court Monday.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski