Charles C. Lynch Sentencing
| By Americans for Safe Access | Published March 9, 2009 |
Despite a recently announced change in federal medical marijuana policy, federally convicted medical marijuana provider Charles C. Lynch will face sentencing by Judge George H. Wu in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Monday, March 23. Lynch was convicted on five counts of federal drug charges in August of 2008 after federal agents raided his Morro Bay medical marijuana collective, Central Coast Compassionate Caregivers (CCCC).
Lynch operated the facility in compliance with state law and obtained a use permit from the City of Morro Bay, which welcomed CCCC. The Bush administration's Justice Department ignored this when it arrested Lynch in 2007.
Lynch's sentencing comes only five days after U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced that only individuals in violation of both state and federal law would be targeted for prosecution. Medical marijuana advocates hope that Judge Wu takes the new policy into account when determining sentencing.
"Charlie Lynch is a tragic victim of a morally bankrupt policy that is now defunct," said MPP California policy director Aaron Smith. "The Justice Department should honor the new policy by asking for leniency, and Judge Wu should honor that request rather than crucify Charles Lynch based on outdated, bankrupt policies."
The high profile case of Charles Lynch has already made national news for the story of a man who operated a dispensing collective in complete compliance with all state and local laws, and even called the DEA to ask if it would be OK for him to operate - but was then raided by George W. Bush's DEA.
In addition, Lynch gave an interview with 20/20's John Stossel that will air next Friday night, March 13th at 10pm on ABC in a special segment called "Bullsh*t in America". Charlie will be featured in one of four different segments on the show.
For more information and to give money, assistance, and support, visit www.friendsofccl.com or write to Judge Wu directly to plead for Charlie's freedom. Letters of support helped Tainted operator Mickey Martin receive a relatively light sentence, so we need to show the same support for Charles Lynch.
| Date: |
Monday, March 23, 2009 |
| Time: | 10:30 AM |
| Address: | U.S. District Court get directions 312 North Spring Street Los Angeles, 90012 |
Charles Lynch Hope For Cannabis Change Protest
| By Americans for Safe Access | Published February 20, 2009 |
Please join ASA and allies on Monday, February 23, for a peaceful protest in support of Charles C. Lynch and other federal medical cannabis defendants who are on trial, awaiting sentencing, or serving time in jail. Charles will soon be sentenced for operating a medical cannabis collective in Morro Bay, and faces decades in prison. He and other defendants need our support – and the judges and prosecutors in the federal courthouse need to hear our voices. President Obama promised change, but we have to make it happen!
Medical Marijuana Patients Protest Sentencing, Call for Change
Medical marijuana patients and advocates will gather in front of the federal
courthouse in downtown Los Angeles at noon on Monday to protest the upcoming
sentencing of Charles C. Lynch, who was convicted for operating a medical
marijuana dispensing collective in Morro Bay in August of last year.
Organizers want to draw public attention to Lynch's case in hopes that Judge
Wu will use his discretion to impose a lenient sentence on the 46-year old
Lynch, who could face decades in federal prison.
“People need to know that Charles Lynch is going to federal prison even
though he was obeying state and local law,” said event organizer Cheryl
Aichele. “It is not fair that he should be caught in the crossfire between
state and federal law.” California is one of thirteen states in which
medical marijuana is legal, but federal law prohibits its use under any
circumstances. On February 4, White House Spokesman Nick Shapiro said that
President Obama did not want to waste federal law enforcement resources
circumventing state medical marijuana laws, and that he expected his new
appointees to consider this when setting policy for their agencies.
On August 5, 2008, after an emotional trial in which the defense was not
allowed to give any evidence whatsoever about medical marijuana, Lynch's
city business license, or California state law, Lynch was convicted on all
counts. Drew Carey's account of Lynch's struggle with the federal government
on Reason.tv helped the case to receive national media attention. His case
has galvanized local medical marijuana patients and supporters, who regard
him as an unnecessary casualty of former President Bush's anti-medical
cannabis policy. Lynch will be sentenced in Los Angeles on March 23.
Protesters will gather on the Main Street side of the federal courthouse,
near Temple Street, at 12:00 PM on Monday, February 23. The street address
for the federal courthouse is 312 North Spring Street in downtown Los
Angeles.
More Info: http://www.friendsofccl.com/rally_2009.htm
Public Transit Info: http://www.metro.net/default.asp
| Date: |
Monday, February 23, 2009 |
| Time: | 12:00 PM |
| Address: | U.S. District Court get directions 312 North Spring Street Los Angeles, 90012 |
Please bring signs, banners, friends, and loved ones. The protest is on, rain or shine!
