cannabisnews.com: U.S. District Judge Bars Medical Necessity Defense U.S. District Judge Bars Medical Necessity Defense Posted by FoM on November 11, 1999 at 10:00:44 PT NORML's Weekly Update News Source: NORML Nov. 11, 1999, Los Angeles, CA: A U.S. District Court judge has barred the medical necessity defense, as well as any mention of California's Proposition 215, in the trial of medical marijuana patients Todd McCormick and Peter McWilliams. McCormick and McWilliams will also not be permitted to testify on their medical conditions. Both are accused of illegally cultivating marijuana. U.S. District Court Judge George King has countered a September ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals which held that medical necessity can be a viable defense for people accused of breaking federal marijuana laws. Two weeks ago, the U.S. Justice Department asked the 9th Circuit to reconsider its decision. "The government monopoly on justice has just handed me a 'go to jail for life' card," said McWilliams. "I now face 10 mandatory years in federal prison. I will die there. My life is over because I tried to save my life doing something my doctor recommended in a state where it is legal." "The Constitution is under attack from many different fronts," said David Michael, Esq., McCormick's attorney. "The courts have followed precedent favorable to the government in their prosecution, but have found every way possible to avoid decisions from the same courts that recognize individuals' rights." Both McWilliams and McCormick face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison for the cultivation of 6,000 marijuana plants. The trial is scheduled to begin on Nov. 30, 1999. For more information, please contact Tom Ballanco, Esq., attorney for Peter McWilliams at (310) 291-3659; David Michael, Esq., attorney for Todd McCormick at (530) 304-7793, or visit Peter McWilliams' web site at:PeterTrialhttp://www.petertrial.com/ NORML's News Bulletin:http://www.norml.org/news/index.shtmlRelated Articles & Web Sites:Help, Again, Please From Peter McWilliams - 11/07/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3592.shtmlDrugSense FOCUS Alert # 135http://www.mapinc.org/alert/0135.htmlMcWilliams Not Allowed To Use Medical Defensehttp://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3591.shtmlNew York Times Article:LA Drug Case Bars Medical Marijuana Defense - 11/07/99http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread3585.shtmlVote On Medical Marijuanahttp://www.vote.com/Fully Informed Jury Associationhttp://www.fija.org/215 NOW!http://www.215now.com/Medical Marijuana Magazinehttp://MarijuanaMagazine.com/McWilliams.comhttp://McWilliams.com/Todd McCormick's Grow Medicinehttp://growmedicine.com/Cannabis News NORML Related Articles:http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/list/NORML.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #3 posted by azeem ashfaq on March 11, 2001 at 05:00:32 PT: canada visit sir please informd me i am in pakistan. sir i like canada and i am immgreant to canada. but befor it. i am visit to canada.please tel me what is your eida? thanks.......... [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Gotocanada on November 11, 1999 at 16:44:20 PT Canada, Land of the (soon to be) medically free Just join Rene Bohe guys. I'm sure it would soon become an issue if ALL those being persecuted by an unjust government would just join this brave woman. You are a saint Rene. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Ally on November 11, 1999 at 13:24:55 PT Comments... So basically what the Federal Government is saying, is that even though the State see's medical marijuana as OK, we don't! Alas, Peter and Todd are not going to be given even the smallest of breaks as far as the Federal Government is concerned. You know what I think? I think they are using these sick people as sacrifical lambs. There is no justice in America.So am I angry? Yes I am. What do I do. I write, I meditate, and I pray for change...I just do what I can, and never let them see me sweat!...Shalom, Ally [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: