News (Media Awareness Project) - US CA: Pot Activist Released From Prison |
| Title: | US CA: Pot Activist Released From Prison |
| Published On: | 1998-04-14 |
| Source: | Sacramento Bee (CA) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-07 12:02:30 |
POT ACTIVIST RELEASED FROM PRISON
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Medical marijuana activist Todd McCormick was ordered
freed from prison today but told he could return there if he is found to be
using the drug.
"If you are playing any games or trying to skirt anything, you will pay the
price for it," U.S. District Judge George H. King warned.
"Have I made myself clear to you?"
"Very clear," McCormick replied.
King ordered McCormick released from prison until an April 22 court
hearing. He said McCormick will be tested periodically by federal
authorities to ensure he is not using marijuana.
McCormick, 27, is charged with growing marijuana. He and four other people
were arrested on July 29 after authorities raided his rented Bel-Air
mansion and found 4,116 marijuana plants.
He pleaded innocent Nov. 10 and was free on $500,000 bail posted by actor
and fellow marijuana activist Woody Harrelson. Part of McCormick's bail
condition was that he not use marijuana. McCormick was ordered to jail on
April 3 for violating that bail after he failed three drug tests in the
past month.
McCormick claims the results were skewed because he was taking Marinol, a
legal drug containing a synthetic form of marijuana.
Under the conditions set by the judge, McCormick will not be able to take
that drug, said his lawyer, Eric Shevin.
McCormick says marijuana helps ease the pain of a rare form of cancer he
has suffered since childhood. He also suffers pain from hip and back
problems.
"He's not a marijuana addict, he's a cancer patient," Shevin said outside
court after the hearing.
About 20 supporters, including McCormick's mother and girlfriend crowded
the courtroom and later gathered outside. Some carried signs, including one
that read: "Stop Arresting Sick People."
McCormick maintains that he hasn't done anything illegal under Proposition
215, passed by California voters in November 1996, 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.
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Medical marijuana activist Todd McCormick was ordered
freed from prison today but told he could return there if he is found to be
using the drug.
"If you are playing any games or trying to skirt anything, you will pay the
price for it," U.S. District Judge George H. King warned.
"Have I made myself clear to you?"
"Very clear," McCormick replied.
King ordered McCormick released from prison until an April 22 court
hearing. He said McCormick will be tested periodically by federal
authorities to ensure he is not using marijuana.
McCormick, 27, is charged with growing marijuana. He and four other people
were arrested on July 29 after authorities raided his rented Bel-Air
mansion and found 4,116 marijuana plants.
He pleaded innocent Nov. 10 and was free on $500,000 bail posted by actor
and fellow marijuana activist Woody Harrelson. Part of McCormick's bail
condition was that he not use marijuana. McCormick was ordered to jail on
April 3 for violating that bail after he failed three drug tests in the
past month.
McCormick claims the results were skewed because he was taking Marinol, a
legal drug containing a synthetic form of marijuana.
Under the conditions set by the judge, McCormick will not be able to take
that drug, said his lawyer, Eric Shevin.
McCormick says marijuana helps ease the pain of a rare form of cancer he
has suffered since childhood. He also suffers pain from hip and back
problems.
"He's not a marijuana addict, he's a cancer patient," Shevin said outside
court after the hearing.
About 20 supporters, including McCormick's mother and girlfriend crowded
the courtroom and later gathered outside. Some carried signs, including one
that read: "Stop Arresting Sick People."
McCormick maintains that he hasn't done anything illegal under Proposition
215, passed by California voters in November 1996, 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.
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