Charles Lynch Federal Trial
| By Americans for Safe Access | Published August 1, 2008 |
San Luis Obispo County dispensing collective operator Charles C. Lynch was raided by the DEA and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs on March 29, 2007 at Central Coast Compassionate Caregivers (CCCC) in Morro Bay, CA. Lynch ran a very well-run dispensing collective that attempted to stringently follow state, county and city medical marijuana regulations since it opened in April 2006.
According to a testimonial, "Central Coast Compassionate Caregivers took precautions to inform its patients regarding the restrictions that applied to them by attaching a copy of the rules and regulations governing medical cannabis to their package upon receipt. Picture IDs were issued to prevent fraud. Not only were the letters of recommendation verified, they also looked up the doctors on the California Medical Board’s web site to make sure that the doctors were in good standing. The Morro Bay dispensary added video surveillance and a metal detector to further the safety of its patients and to discourage misuse. For the year that the CCCC was open, there were no problems or complaints reported to the dispensary. In fact, employees of neighboring businesses were dismayed to see them raided by law enforcement."
The City of Morro Bay was actively aware of the purpose of CCCC. It issued a busines license for a "'Medical Marijuana Dispensary" and a Cannabis Nursery Permit after a lengthy conditional use permit process. CCCC operated for nearly a year without incident until the the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff called in the DEA to raid the dispensary on March 29, 2007. Lynch was not arrested at that time and reopened with the blessing of his landlord and Morro Bay city officials. The DEA subsequently contacted the Landlord and threatened him with forfeiture of his property and possible prosecution if he refused to evict CCCC from his building, and as a result, CCCC closed its doors on May 16, 2007. On July 17, 2007, the DEA and local sheriffs arrested Lynch and he spent 4 days in federal detention before being released on $400,000 bail, posted by his family.
Lynch was indicted for conspiracy to possess and possession with intent to distribute marijuana and concentrated cannabis, manufacturing (cultivating) more than 100 plants, knowingly maintaining a drug premises, and sales of marijuana to a person under the age of 21. Additionally, criminal forfeiture proceedings have begun on his assets. Lynch has been placed under house arrest and has been required to wear an electronic monitor for 10 months while waiting for his trial to commence. During this time, Reason.tv recorded video of Lynch’s struggle and on June 11, 2008 published a video hosted by Drew Carey. Lynch remains out on bail. For more information see Charles' website. Supporters are encouraged to attend!
The trial is expected to continue through August 4th, but those interested in attending should check the court's website for new information:
www.cacd.uscourts.gov/
For more information: http://www.friendsofccl.com
| Date: |
Monday, August 4, 2008 |
| Time: | 8:00 AM |
| Address: | Judge George Wu get directions U.S. District Court (C.D., CA) 312 North Spring Street Los Angeles, California 90012 |
Trial for Charles Lynch Begins
| By Americans for Safe Access | Published July 10, 2008 |
Trial at 8am before Judge George Wu in U.S. District Court (C.D., CA), Courtroom 10 at 312 North Spring Street in Los Angeles, 90012. San Luis Obispo County dispensing collective operator Charles Lynch was raided by the DEA and the San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs on July 17,2007 at Central Coast Compassionate Caregivers in Morro Bay, CA.
According to a testimonial, "Central Coast Compassionate Caregivers took precautions to inform its patients regarding the restrictions that applied to them by attaching a copy of the rules and regulations governing medical cannabis to their package upon receipt. Picture IDs were issued to prevent fraud. Not only were the letters of recommendation verified, they also looked up the doctors on the California Medical Board's web site to make sure that the doctors were in good standing. The Morro Bay dispensary added video surveillance and a metal detector to further the safety of its patients and to discourage misuse. For the year that the CCCC was open, there were no problems or complaints reported to the dispensary. In fact, employees of neighboring businesses were dismayed to see them raided by law enforcement."
Lynch was indicted for conspiracy to possess and possession with intent to distribute marijuana and concentrated cannabis, manufacturing (cultivating) more than 100 plants, knowingly maintaining a drug premises, and sales of marijuana to a person under the age of 21. Additionally, criminal forfeiture proceedings have begun on his assets. For more information, please check out this Drew Carey documentary from Reason tv. Lynch remains out on bail. For more information see Charles' website. Supporters are encouraged to attend!
| Date: |
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 |
| Time: | 8:00 AM |
| Address: | Judge George Wu get directions U.S. District Court (C.D., CA) 312 North Spring Street Los Angeles, California 90012 |
