Coloradoans CitE Medical Defense - Colorado - International Cannagraphic Magazine Forums

**guineapig** · 01-08-2007, 10:14 AM

Couple Cites Medical Defense in Pot Case
Posted by CN Staff on January 05, 2007 at 15:57:01 PT
By Laura Bailey
Source: Coloradoan

Colorado -- A Fort Collins couple who say they were growing marijuana for medical use pleaded not guilty this afternoon on felony cultivation and distribution charges. James and Lisa Masters are now set to go to trial March 27. They face up to six years in jail.

The Masters were arrested Aug. 2 when police were called to check the welfare of the couple's two children, ages 4 and 6, according to an affidavit from Fort Collins police. The officer smelled marijuana in the house and the couple told the officers they had a doctor's recommendation for medical marijuana and they were growing it for that purpose.

At a press conference following the Masters’ arraignment, the couple’s lawyer, Rob Corry, said they were within the bounds of Colorado’s Amendment 20, an initiative approved by voters in 2000 that allows people with certain medical conditions to grow, possess and use marijuana for medicinal purposes.

“The majority of voters in this state said medical marijuana should be available. My hope here is the jury will follow the law and show some compassion for patients who need help,” he said.

James Masters said he has a condition that renders him with chronic nausea and muscle spasms. Masters will not reveal the exact condition until the trial so as not to influence a jury pool, Corry said. Lisa Masters said she suffers from joint swelling, muscle spasms, carpel tunnel syndrome and protruding disks.

The couple said that in addition to growing the marijuana for themselves, they distributed marijuana for solely to patients in Colorado’s medical marijuana registry.

However, in October District Judge Jolene Blair rejected a dismissal motion, saying the Masters didn’t have the required state documentation showing they are caregivers for people authorized to use marijuana for medical purposes.

Co-counsel Brian Vicente said this is the first case in the state to use Amendment 20 as a defense.

“The Masters are being targeted for providing help to sick people,” Vicente said.

“This test case has the potential to increase vital access to medical marijuana by expanding the legal definition of ‘caregiver’ to allow those with significant responsibility for the care of seriously-ill individuals to cultivate and provide them with medical marijuana.”

Details in Saturday's Coloradoan.

Source: Coloradoan (CO)
Author: Laura Bailey
Published: January 5, 2007
Copyright: 2007 The Fort Collins Coloradoan
Website: https://www.coloradoan.com/
Contact: LauraBailey@coloradoan.com

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01-08-2007, 10:14 AM	#1
guineapig Moderator Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: In spite of my rage I am still just a rodent in a cage Posts: 4,601	Coloradoans CitE Medical Defense Couple Cites Medical Defense in Pot Case Posted by CN Staff on January 05, 2007 at 15:57:01 PT By Laura Bailey Source: Coloradoan Colorado -- A Fort Collins couple who say they were growing marijuana for medical use pleaded not guilty this afternoon on felony cultivation and distribution charges. James and Lisa Masters are now set to go to trial March 27. They face up to six years in jail. The Masters were arrested Aug. 2 when police were called to check the welfare of the couple's two children, ages 4 and 6, according to an affidavit from Fort Collins police. The officer smelled marijuana in the house and the couple told the officers they had a doctor's recommendation for medical marijuana and they were growing it for that purpose. At a press conference following the Masters’ arraignment, the couple’s lawyer, Rob Corry, said they were within the bounds of Colorado’s Amendment 20, an initiative approved by voters in 2000 that allows people with certain medical conditions to grow, possess and use marijuana for medicinal purposes. “The majority of voters in this state said medical marijuana should be available. My hope here is the jury will follow the law and show some compassion for patients who need help,” he said. James Masters said he has a condition that renders him with chronic nausea and muscle spasms. Masters will not reveal the exact condition until the trial so as not to influence a jury pool, Corry said. Lisa Masters said she suffers from joint swelling, muscle spasms, carpel tunnel syndrome and protruding disks. The couple said that in addition to growing the marijuana for themselves, they distributed marijuana for solely to patients in Colorado’s medical marijuana registry. However, in October District Judge Jolene Blair rejected a dismissal motion, saying the Masters didn’t have the required state documentation showing they are caregivers for people authorized to use marijuana for medical purposes. Co-counsel Brian Vicente said this is the first case in the state to use Amendment 20 as a defense. “The Masters are being targeted for providing help to sick people,” Vicente said. “This test case has the potential to increase vital access to medical marijuana by expanding the legal definition of ‘caregiver’ to allow those with significant responsibility for the care of seriously-ill individuals to cultivate and provide them with medical marijuana.” Details in Saturday's Coloradoan. Source: Coloradoan (CO) Author: Laura Bailey Published: January 5, 2007 Copyright: 2007 The Fort Collins Coloradoan Website: https://www.coloradoan.com/ Contact: LauraBailey@coloradoan.com CannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archives https://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml
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