[ill_repute]

Any updates on Mr Lynch or the court proceedings for the day???

[Medpatient]

Originally Posted by ill_repute

Any updates on Mr Lynch or the court proceedings for the day???

whats up ill I just saw that he got one year and a day in prison. The judge said he unfortunately did not see a way around not handing down at least a one year sentence.

It is still better then the 5 year mandatory minimum he was looking at.

[ill_repute]

Originally Posted by Medpatient

whats up ill I just saw that he got one year and a day in prison. The judge said he unfortunately did not see a way around not handing down at least a one year sentence.

It is still better then the 5 year mandatory minimum he was looking at.

Yeah man, I was bumping around online and I saw something like that.

Its a shame he got any time at all, (obviously we all seem to agree that he shouldnt even be in that position anyways) but I guess one year is better then what could have been.

[ill_repute]

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lano...les-lynch.html


Pot dispensary owner sentenced to a year and a day in prison
11:47 AM | June 11, 2009






The owner of a Morro Bay pot dispensary who emerged as a key figure in the national debate over medical marijuana was sentenced to one year and one day in prison today by a federal judge in Los Angeles.

Charles Lynch, 47, dressed in a dark suit, sat with his hands clasped and stared straight ahead as the sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge George H. Wu. Lynch declined the opportunity to address the court moments earlier. His mother, seated in the courtroom gallery nearby, fought back tears as Wu said he saw no way around imposing a sentence of at least one year.

Lynch’s case made headlines nationwide and came to symbolize the tension between conflicting state and federal marijuana laws. Cultivating, using and selling doctor-recommended marijuana is allowed under some circumstances in California and about a dozen other states, but such activities are banned entirely under federal law.

Lynch was prosecuted for illegally distributing marijuana from his Central Coast Compassionate Caregivers facility, despite having the blessing of Morro Bay’s mayor, city attorney and other civic leaders.


During a two-week trial last summer, Lynch’s attorneys attempted to mount a defense based on the service they contend he provided to chronically ill patients who relied on marijuana to ease their suffering. They were barred from doing so, however, because the Supreme Court has ruled that medical necessity is not a legitimate defense for violating federal drug laws.

Prosecutors, meanwhile, portrayed Lynch as a common drug dealer who profited from his enterprise and hauled around a backpack stuffed with cash. They said he sold more than $2 million worth of the drug. They also said he repeatedly sold to people under 21 — considered minors under federal law — and that much of his clientele consisted of seemingly healthy young repeat customers.

--Scott Glover at L.A. Federal Court

Photo: Lynch earlier this year / L.A. Times file

[ladyknight]

BabyBoomer called from courthouse. 1 year & 1 day

[CJK]

It was an interesting morning. We did fill the courtroom, although it wasn't as packed as the last hearing. I had recognized most of the people (I finally got to meet BabyBoomer in person!!!!!!!!!), there were about five new fresh faces which was good. The only club owners that were there were the GLACA members, except for about two. Which I was very disappointed by, since this climate is so saturated with places, and with what's happening to Charlie could happen to any one of us. But I digress! I don't want this thread to go there!

I must give praise to Judge Wu. He's had a lot of stuff thrown at him over the course of this trial. He really remained impartial and fair to both sides. You could see that he had compassion for Charlie, but at the same time, followed the laws set forth before him. I believe, that if he had the power, he would have let Charlie go a free man. Instead, he gave him the minimum he could do, with the power that he had.

Personally, given the situation, I believe today to be a victory for what its worth. Yes, I believe Charlie did no wrong, and even went out of his way to avoid this exact situation. But, unfortunately, we have just as many people passionate against us, as their are for us... He got caught in the middle. As I said, it could have been any owner. It just happened to be him.

Charlie is a good, kind man, who lost so much during this trial. While this part is over, he's still going to need our support over the next year, and beyond!

[ShiningSkull]

Originally Posted by ladyknight

BabyBoomer called from courthouse. 1 year & 1 day

Seems like the Judge did what he could.

As I understand it, the extra day makes an appeal possible.
If it had been the minimum, a year, he would have to do the year.

With the extra day, he will get time off for good behavior and
be able to work off time from the sentence.
It leaves the door open for an appeal or a new trial.
And he walked out of there.

This is a major victory. He could have gotten 5 years.
He could have gotten a hundred; that's what the prosecutors wanted.

People with video caught the attorneys explaining it better at the curb.
Maybe they'll post it here.

[silvercloud]

~min time served was boosted to 85% ,before parole eligibility ~ either way ,he can do 300 days ,or 366 days *standing on his head ! ~ all in all .a restful time for meditation and better health ~ at least no swine flu risk

psst* could hav been alot worse ~ personally did 13 mos (smuggling ganjha ,from Jamaica to Miami '65) Tallahassee ,Fla (hot ,irritable summers) ~ "pros" ... food not too bad ,good med care ,nitrous oxide (operating room)
**''cons''... no women ,no weedcare ,no custom music ~

psst** analogeous ,me guesses ,to getting drafted into armed services for a year and a month

[Fried Tofu Funk]

Silver, you crack me up with your true and wise verbals. Sad for Mr. Lynch...it sucks to be away from your family for that long. We all know somebody that's been in that situation. The silverlining is a year is not too bad.

Good thing Wu didn't have him go through his 36 chambers or else he'd have to Protect His Neck. At the end of the day that's what collective operators risk if they want the CREAM. (that's for the Wu-Tang heads)

[b1joy2c]

Originally Posted by CJK

It was an interesting morning. We did fill the courtroom, although it wasn't as packed as the last hearing. I had recognized most of the people (I finally got to meet BabyBoomer in person!!!!!!!!!), there were about five new fresh faces which was good. The only club owners that were there were the GLACA members, except for about two. Which I was very disappointed by, since this climate is so saturated with places, and with what's happening to Charlie could happen to any one of us. But I digress! I don't want this thread to go there!

I must give praise to Judge Wu. He's had a lot of stuff thrown at him over the course of this trial. He really remained impartial and fair to both sides. You could see that he had compassion for Charlie, but at the same time, followed the laws set forth before him. I believe, that if he had the power, he would have let Charlie go a free man. Instead, he gave him the minimum he could do, with the power that he had.



Personally, given the situation, I believe today to be a victory for what its worth. Yes, I believe Charlie did no wrong, and even went out of his way to avoid this exact situation. But, unfortunately, we have just as many people passionate against us, as their are for us... He got caught in the middle. As I said, it could have been any owner. It just happened to be him.

Charlie is a good, kind man, who lost so much during this trial. While this part is over, he's still going to need our support over the next year, and beyond!

This does say it all and thank you for your thoughts. Was there in spirit and health issues prevented me from going today.

Was hoping it would just be probation and am disappointed of the outcome. I know this is little comfort that you have been become a champion of a cause. Hoping that your attorney's; or that by some miracle or appeal you will be blessed with little time served.

Thank you all for going today and supporting our medical champions who everyday put their lives in harms way to serve us with the clean and proper medications that we patients need as scripted.

[ShiningSkull]

Originally Posted by ShiningSkull

Seems like the Judge did what he could.

As I understand it, the extra day makes an appeal possible.
If it had been the minimum, a year, he would have to do the year.

With the extra day, he will get time off for good behavior and
be able to work off time from the sentence.
It leaves the door open for an appeal or a new trial.
And he walked out of there.

This is a major victory. He could have gotten 5 years.
He could have gotten a hundred; that's what the prosecutors wanted.

People with video caught the attorneys explaining it better at the curb.
Maybe they'll post it here.

Sorry I meant this post to go in this more negative thread:
http://www.weedtracker.com/forums/sh...ned#post923965
In fact, I'm gonna put it there.

b1joy2c is exactly right, as is the CJK.

[BabyBoomer]

Originally Posted by CJK

It was an interesting morning. We did fill the courtroom, although it wasn't as packed as the last hearing. I had recognized most of the people (I finally got to meet BabyBoomer in person!!!!!!!!!), there were about five new fresh faces which was good. The only club owners that were there were the GLACA members, except for about two. Which I was very disappointed by, since this climate is so saturated with places, and with what's happening to Charlie could happen to any one of us. But I digress! I don't want this thread to go there!

I must give praise to Judge Wu. He's had a lot of stuff thrown at him over the course of this trial. He really remained impartial and fair to both sides. You could see that he had compassion for Charlie, but at the same time, followed the laws set forth before him. I believe, that if he had the power, he would have let Charlie go a free man. Instead, he gave him the minimum he could do, with the power that he had.

Personally, given the situation, I believe today to be a victory for what its worth. Yes, I believe Charlie did no wrong, and even went out of his way to avoid this exact situation. But, unfortunately, we have just as many people passionate against us, as their are for us... He got caught in the middle. As I said, it could have been any owner. It just happened to be him.

Charlie is a good, kind man, who lost so much during this trial. While this part is over, he's still going to need our support over the next year, and beyond!

Great to finally deliver that IRL hug I've been saving for ya, CJK.

I also was impressed that Judge Wu did everything in his power for Charles. Even putting 'substance abuse' program in place which I have been told will help in reducing his time served. Charles wasn't considered a Flight Risk so he wasn't taken into custody, immediately. And the Judge is requesting that Charles be placed in the Southern California area facility.

Thank you KushMeister for the safe travels and to CARE for the compassion.

Great to see so many of you again and some new faces to put with avatars now.



.

[ShiningSkull]

The Scene


Walking out


His Attorney and Charles Lynch


That's Charles Lynch's mom looking so happy there.

[ShiningSkull]

There was a good looking crowd of supporters out there today!









At least five or six news and documentary cameras were there, including a couple from mainstream media stations. KTLA and KABC...

[ShiningSkull]

The story's coming up right now on Channel 7!

[zbestwun2001]

Let me know if it has been on yet?
I will record it and upload it to YouTube and post it here.

[ShiningSkull]

Originally Posted by zbestwun2001

Let me know if it has been on yet?
I will record it and upload it to YouTube and post it here.

Yeah, it was already on. I watching for the Channel 4 segment now.
I wonder if they have loaded to their website yet?

[zbestwun2001]

Originally Posted by ShiningSkull

Yeah, it was already on. I watching for the Channel 4 segment now.
I wonder if they have loaded to their website yet?

Ok so it hasn't be on 4 yet?

[ShiningSkull]

Not that I've seen yet, though i haven't seen it mentioned yet.

Also, Channel 5 was there, too. There news time is 6:30.

[KushMeister]

Although it's dissapointing to know that (as of now), Charlie will have to do some time behind bars, I would like to send a 'Thank you' out to Judge Wu. This man truly did try and do everything possible according to the law, to help give Charlie as short a sentence as possible.

I pray that the appeal is successful, and that Charlie gets to walk away a free man, and start his life again!

Hang in their Charlie!
We love ya, and we're all behind you!

[roguepoet]

I too am saddened to learn that Charlie got one year and one day, but agree with others that it could have been worse. I don't know why Charlie's case was different from Ed Rosenthal, who was convicted but served only one day in jail...at least Judge Wu seemed to show compassion, and I am sure that all those letters folks wrote him made a difference.

There was a link in the forums a while ago for POWs of the Drug War....maybe Charles will win his appeal and not go at all....but there are others currently in jail who need support...you can learn more about them at

http://www.medicalmarijuanaofamerica...ection/10/130/

Take the time to write a letter!

Mahalo

[Green Nurse Collective]

Wow! I'm shocked by this. I was sure he'd get the book. I'm so happy for him and his family. It could have been so much worse. Great Judge!! Congrats to Charles!! :thumbup:

[danktsebad]

I'm very sorry to hear about any jail time at all for Charles. 1 year and 1day is, (or any time) a long time for anyone when your freedom is taken away. Passing time away from your life and family takes a toll not to mention all the struggles, stress, and tribulations, just up to this point!. the alternative max sentence could've been worse, if it is any consolation but not hardly. May you be blessed Mr. Lynch, stay true, and continue to be strong willed.