GURU OF GANJA JAILED FOR ONE DAY

The man described as the "guru of ganja" walked free from court in San
Francisco yesterday after being given a one-day sentence for growing
marijuana for medical use. The sentence will be seen as a judicial
slap in the face for the US attorney general, John Ashcroft, who has
encouraged the FBI to pursue some growers. The prosecution had sought
a five-year jail term.

Ed Rosenthal, 58, was also fined $1000 (UKP650) by the judge, Charles
Breyer. As he had already spent a day in custody, he was able to leave
the court, to be greeted outside by about 200 supporters.

Mr Rosenthal was convicted in February of growing marijuana at a
warehouse in Oakland, but the jury had not been told that he did so at
the request of the city of Oakland and to produce marijuana for
medical use.

When jurors learned of this, they urged a re-trial, which the judge
refused. But Judge Breyer made clear his views on the seriousness of
the offence by giving a nominal sentence. Other medical marijuana
growers in California have received five-year terms.

Allen StPierre, of the National Organisation for the Reform of
Marijuana Laws, said yesterday: "We celebrate the judge clearly
weighing public opinion, compassion and pragmatism." It called into
question the stiff sentences handed out to other medical marijuana
growers.

California voted in 1996 to allow medical use of cannabis if
prescribed by doctors.