Pubdate: Sat, 14 Dec 2013
Source: San Diego Union Tribune (CA)
Copyright: 2013 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.utsandiego.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/386
Note: Seldom prints LTEs from outside it's circulation area.
Author: Kristina Davis

MEDPOT MANAGER GETS JAIL, PROBATION

San Diego Man Was Tried Three Times, Accused of Running Dispensary for Profit

SAN DIEGO - A San Diego man who was tried three times for operating a 
medical marijuana dispensary for profit was sentenced Friday to jail 
time and probation.

Jovan Jackson's legal troubles involving Answerdam Alternative Care 
collective in Kearny Mesa stretch back five years, and his lawyer 
said the litigation has in effect helped pave the way for other 
collectives to legally sell the drug under nonprofit status.

Jackson, who was found guilty by a jury last month in his third 
trial, agreed to serve 180 days in county jail, likely in the work 
furlough program, starting in January after the holidays. San Diego 
Superior Court Judge Louis Hanoian also sentenced him to three years 
of supervised probation, allowing Jackson to use medical marijuana 
with a legitimate recommendation from a doctor.

Jackson, a Navy veteran, says he uses the drug to treat 
post-traumatic stress disorder.

Deputy District Attorney Chris Lindberg had recommended a one-year 
jail term in the case, which he said was about Jackson's greed and 
dishonesty rather than helping sick patients or complying with California law.

"He's just making a mockery of medical marijuana for the money," Lindberg said.

Defense attorney Lance Rogers argued that Jackson willfully tried to 
follow the laws, but the judge disagreed.

"He wasn't even close to what would have been required to do this 
properly," Hanoian said.

Jackson was prosecuted in 2008 in connection with undercover drug 
buys at the dispensary but acquitted at trial. A second trial focused 
on a raid in 2009 that included 13 other dispensaries.

Rogers said Jackson and a security guard were the only two prosecuted 
from the 2009 raids.

A jury found him guilty but an appeals court overturned the verdict. 
The District Attorney's Office then tried the case again.

Rogers said the appeals case had an effect on medical marijuana laws, 
affirming that collectives can operate as nonprofits.

"Mr. Jackson has been a political pawn for the evolution of medical 
marijuana laws," Rogers said after the hearing, which was attended by 
about a dozen medical marijuana supporters. He said he plans to appeal.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom