Pubdate: Thu, 12 Feb 2004 Source: Alexander City Outlook, The (AL) Copyright: 2004 The Alexander City Outlook Contact: http://www.alexcityoutlook.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2401 Author: Stepanie Rebman Cited: Alabama Marijuana Party http://alabama.usmjparty.com Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Loretta+Nall MARIJUANA PARTY FOUNDER CHARGED WITH POSSESSION Loretta Nall, Alexander City resident and founder of the Alabama Marijuana Party, was convicted on Tuesday for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia charges. Tallapoosa County District Judge Kim Taylor sentenced Nall to a 30-day suspended sentence over 12 months and a year of unsupervised probation. Nall has already appealed the conviction and her case could be heard by a jury trial in an upcoming court session. Nall's conviction stems from the November 2002 raid of her Pearson Chapel Road home by the Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force where Taylor said they found marijuana seeds, a scale and rolling paper. "They did find marijuana in her residence," he said. "They found scales in the house, which qualifies as drug paraphernalia, and rolling paper consistent with the roaches they found." Nall said her home was searched immediately after she wrote a letter that was published in the Birmingham News regarding drug law reform. She said she hopes her appeal of the conviction will show how she is a victim and not an offender. "The Tallapoosa County Narcotics Task Force wants to shut down free and public debate about our state's current drug policy so they can protect their cash count," she said. "I'm hoping for absolute acquittal in this case. I hope I get an elected officer who shows some brains and shows how the warrant was faulty and everything was fabricated." Taylor said he signed the warrant to search her home after an officer received information linking marijuana to Nall's home. "Her daughter had leaves at school for a project and stated that she had other leaves she wanted to bring but her mother said those leaves are illegal," Taylor said. Nall said that information is merely a claim made by an officer and testimony at her trial revealed the police did not have their stories straight. She said the testimony from narcotics officers was inaccurate. "They claimed they found five grams or $20 worth," she said. "In court, they had a couple of seeds, a stem and dust, which was only 0.87 grams, not even one gram. In court, they contradicted a great deal of testimony." Taylor said Nall received 30 days on both charges suspended over 12 months and has a $250 fine. He did not sentence her to any jail time or fines on paraphernalia charges. However, with the appeal, if a jury finds Nall guilty, she could face up to 12 months in jail. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake