Pubdate: Sat, 01 Jun 2013
Source: New York Times (NY)
Copyright: 2013 The New York Times Company
Website: http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Author: Adam Nagourney

CALIFORNIA: MARIJUANA SELLER TAKES PLEA DEAL

A medical marijuana store owner whose prosecution by the federal
authorities highlighted vast disparities in how California and the
Justice Department are responding to the medical marijuana industry
abandoned a six-month battle against Washington on Friday and pleaded
guilty to 10 charges of marijuana cultivation and distribution. The
man, Matthew Davies, 35, had argued that his store in Stockton
operated in accordance with California laws, after working extensively
with accountants and lawyers before opening the business. But Benjamin
B. Wagner, the United States attorney for the Eastern District of
California, said, "Our investigation showed that it was all about the
money." Mr. Davies will serve a minimum of five years.

Adam Nagourney
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