Pubdate: Tue, 7 Jul 2009
Source: Rapid City Journal (SD)
Copyright: 2009 The Rapid City Journal
Contact:  http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1029
Author: Andrea J. Cook
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/people/Bob+Newland

MARIJUANA ADVOCATE BOB NEWLAND GETS 45 DAYS IN JAIL, PROBATION

Medical marijuana proponent Bob Newland's advocacy days  are over - at
least for a year while he is under court  supervision.

Newland, who pleaded guilty to felony possession of  marijuana, was
sentenced Monday to one year in the  Pennington County Jail.

Before his sentencing, Newland told Seventh Circuit  Judge John "Jack"
Delaney that he has had butterflies  in his stomach since his arrest
in March. Newland said  he was humbled by the letters of support that
were  forwarded to the judge.

"Today, I'm frightened," Newland said. "Nothing I can  say would be
other than self-serving.

Delaney also told Newland that he is not to take a  public role in
efforts to legalize marijuana for the  next year.

Delaney suspended all but 45 days of the sentence  however, any
violation of the terms of his sentence  will send Newland to jail for
the full year.

"You are not going to take a position as a public  figure who got a
light sentence," Delaney warned  Newland.

Delaney said Newland case was not a typical possession
case.

"I have an entire segment of society that will take  note of this
case," Delaney said. Several of Newland's  friends and supporters were
in the courtroom.

Delaney said Newland's advocacy was not an issue, what  was an issue
was the idea of an adult doing anything  that would encourage kids to
drink or do drugs.  Juvenile courts are packed with kids who have drug
  problems, Delaney said.

"Ninety-five percent of my chronic truants are using  pot," Delaney
said.

Before passing sentence, Delaney asked Newland three  times if he was
clean, warning him that he would be  tested.

"I smoked a lot for a lot of years," Newland said. "I  have had
nothing for two months."

Newland was charged with possession of marijuana and  possession with
intent to distribute after four bags  containing about 1 ounce each of
marijuana and a  digital scale were found in his car when he was
stopped  for speeding in March.

The quantity of marijuana indicated it was not for  personal use, the
prosecuting attorney said.

Asking for a lenient sentence, Newland's attorney  Robert Van Norman
reminded Delaney the marijuana was  never tested for quality. It was
more likely, Van  Norman suggested, that Newland was involved in
"missions of mercy."

In addition to the jail sentence, Delaney suspended a  $2,000 fine
because of Newland's financial status and  ordered Newland to
participate in the county's 24-7  program when not in jail. Newland
will have to submit  to random searches and undergo weekly drug tests.

"This just shows how silly the law is, said Newland  supporter Curtis
Price as he left the courtroom. Price  was relieved Newland did not
receive a prison sentence.

"I feel bad for law enforcement," he added. "They have  to carry out
laws that are about politics and not  reality." 
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