Dispensary operator found not guilty
This dispatch just in from medical-cannabis activist Eugene Davidovich regarding the Jovan Jackson/Answerdam case:
The jury returned this morning at 11:30 with the NOT GUILTY verdict on ALL counts related to medical marijuana in the case of People V. Jackson.
Today is both a historic and victorious day for all patients and concerned citizens in San Diego.
Waiting for a response from District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis regarding the impact on her larger prosecutorial plan.
UPDATE. Win one for the radio guys. KFMB 760AM was the first with a story on Google news, which added that the jury did convict Jackson on possession of Ecstacy and Xanax. Here’s what one juror told the KFMB reporter regarding the cannabis:
“On a personal level, if you’re going to hold somebody to a law, you have to define that law,” said juror Perry Wright.
Finally, Jovan Jackson has become the first person to endure the viciousness of Bonnie Dumanis a.k.a. Bonnie D.A.’ Mantis and her fierce fight against medical marijuana patients and caregivers in San Diego County. Jovan is a humble hero in the medical marijuana battle for safe access. See his exclusive San Diego Americans for Safe Access video interview immediately following the verdict here… http://wp.me/pHeYc-fH and more about Bonnie D.A.’ Mantis and her fierce fight here… bonniedamantis.wordpress.com.
Now the misguided argument that our DA, the LA DA and others have been making that all “sales” of medical marijuana are illegal becomes null and void based on this decision. The law is vague surrounding the method of sales and the benefit of doubt always favors the defendant per our legal system. Law enforcement would be foolish to continue to waste resources pursuing these legally operating collectives or attempt any more unjustified prosecutions after this clear decision. Sick or very ill medical marijuana patients cannot realistically be expected to grow or participate physically in a collective (as the prosecution tried to sell) and have the right to obtain medicine the only way they can – through making a monetary donation for it. Now it is up to our local governments to provide reasonable guidelines for the operation of these collectives so patients can BUY their medicine.