MARIJUANA ADVOCATE BOB NEWLAND GETS 45 DAYS IN JAIL, PROBATION

Medical marijuana proponent Bob Newland's advocacy days are over - at
least for a year while he is under court supervision.

Newland, who pleaded guilty to felony possession of marijuana, was
sentenced Monday to one year in the Pennington County Jail.

Before his sentencing, Newland told Seventh Circuit Judge John "Jack"
Delaney that he has had butterflies in his stomach since his arrest
in March. Newland said he was humbled by the letters of support that
were forwarded to the judge.

"Today, I'm frightened," Newland said. "Nothing I can say would be
other than self-serving.

Delaney also told Newland that he is not to take a public role in
efforts to legalize marijuana for the next year.

Delaney suspended all but 45 days of the sentence however, any
violation of the terms of his sentence will send Newland to jail for
the full year.

"You are not going to take a position as a public figure who got a
light sentence," Delaney warned Newland.

Delaney said Newland case was not a typical possession
case.

"I have an entire segment of society that will take note of this
case," Delaney said. Several of Newland's friends and supporters were
in the courtroom.

Delaney said Newland's advocacy was not an issue, what was an issue
was the idea of an adult doing anything that would encourage kids to
drink or do drugs. Juvenile courts are packed with kids who have drug
problems, Delaney said.

"Ninety-five percent of my chronic truants are using pot," Delaney
said.

Before passing sentence, Delaney asked Newland three times if he was
clean, warning him that he would be tested.

"I smoked a lot for a lot of years," Newland said. "I have had
nothing for two months."

Newland was charged with possession of marijuana and possession with
intent to distribute after four bags containing about 1 ounce each of
marijuana and a digital scale were found in his car when he was
stopped for speeding in March.

The quantity of marijuana indicated it was not for personal use, the
prosecuting attorney said.

Asking for a lenient sentence, Newland's attorney Robert Van Norman
reminded Delaney the marijuana was never tested for quality. It was
more likely, Van Norman suggested, that Newland was involved in
"missions of mercy."

In addition to the jail sentence, Delaney suspended a $2,000 fine
because of Newland's financial status and ordered Newland to
participate in the county's 24-7 program when not in jail. Newland
will have to submit to random searches and undergo weekly drug tests.

"This just shows how silly the law is, said Newland supporter Curtis
Price as he left the courtroom. Price was relieved Newland did not
receive a prison sentence.

"I feel bad for law enforcement," he added. "They have to carry out
laws that are about politics and not reality."