Pubdate: Wed, 04 Jun 2003
Source: Recorder, The (CA)
Copyright: 2003, NLP IP Company
Contact:  http://www.callaw.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/652
Author: Jason Hoppin, The Recorder
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Ed+Rosenthal

MEDICAL POT GURU GETS ONE-DAY SENTENCE

U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer handed Ed Rosenthal, the
high-profile medical marijuana defendant who was facing more than five
years in prison, a stunning one-day sentence on Wednesday.

Breyer's announcement of the time-served sentence caused Rosenthal
supporters in the packed San Francisco courtroom to erupt in cheers.
But Rosenthal -- despite the slap on the wrist -- continued his
unabashed criticism of the judge on the steps outside.

Several repentant members of the jury that voted to convict Rosenthal
were also on hand, including one who burst into tears of joy at the
news.

Rosenthal's attorney, Dennis Riordan, said his client still plans to
appeal Breyer's pretrial rulings barring a medical marijuana defense.
Breyer wouldn't let Rosenthal's lawyers tell the jury he was growing
the plants for San Francisco's HARM Reduction Center.

Riordan predicted the government would appeal Breyer's decision to
depart downward from the mandatory minimum sentence. The U.S.
attorney's office had no immediate comment. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake