Pubdate: Thu, 16 Jun 2005
Source: Las Vegas Sun (NV)
Copyright: 2005 Las Vegas Sun, Inc
Contact:  http://www.lasvegassun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/234
Author: Ken Ritter, Associated Press

NEVADA MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACTIVIST ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGE

LAS VEGAS (AP) - A medical marijuana activist was in custody Thursday
after his second arrest in 17 months on felony drug charges.

A lawyer for Pierre Werner, 33, said the arrest on state charges was a
law enforcement effort to pressure Werner after the Supreme Court's
decision this month that state medical marijuana laws don't protect
users from federal prosecution. Werner also faces state marijuana
possession charges from a previous arrest.

"The DEA is flexing their power," lawyer Ryan Mortier said after
visiting Werner at the Clark County jail in Las Vegas. "They're saying
they're not going to tolerate all the media attention he's been getting."

Mike Flanagan, assistant special Drug Enforcement Administration agent
in Las Vegas, acknowledged a DEA agent went to Werner's home in
Henderson after police served a warrant at the house Wednesday and
arrested Werner.

But while federal agents were monitoring Werner's case, Flanagan said
it was being handled by Las Vegas police and state
prosecutors.

Werner faces felony charges of possession of marijuana with intent to
sell, and maintaining a place to sell a controlled substance, Las
Vegas police Officer Jose Montoya said.

Werner was due Friday in Las Vegas Justice Court, his lawyer
said.

The nation's highest court ruled 6-3 on June 6 that state medical
marijuana laws don't protect users from federal prosecution. Nevada is
one of 10 states that allow registered medical patients to use
marijuana with a doctor's approval.

Werner has said he uses marijuana to relieve symptoms of bipolar
disorder, and wants to be able to provide marijuana to others
registered with the state Department of Agriculture for use of medical
marijuana. State officials say about 600 people are in the program.

Werner was arrested in January 2004 and charged with possessing 27
marijuana plants at his home. He was dropped from the state's medical
marijuana registry because criminal charges are pending from that
arrest, Mortier said.

Werner's company, Primary Caregivers and Consultants, helps people who
need medical marijuana find a doctor and grow the plants.

He has tried unsuccessfully to obtain business licenses to serve as a
marijuana consultant and to open a lounge where medical marijuana
could be smoked. 
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