Pubdate: Fri, 05 Jun 2015
Source: Garden City Telegram (KS)
Copyright: 2015 The Garden City Telegram
Contact:  http://www.gctelegram.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1476
Author: Angie Haflich

LOCAL MEDICINAL MARIJUANA ADVOCATE CHARGED ON MULTIPLE COUNTS

The local medicinal marijuana advocate who made national news earlier
this year after her son was taken into protective custody is now
facing criminal charges.

Finney County Attorney Susan Richmeier on Friday issued a press release 
outlining five charges being filed against Shona Banda, 37, Garden City: 
endangering a child, distribution or possession with intent to 
distribute a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of school property, 
unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance, possession of drug 
paraphernalia, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Three of the charges are felonies. Banda faces a potential sentence of
138 to 204 months.

Also included in the press release was the following statement: The
Finney County Attorney's office is responsible for upholding the law
in the State of Kansas and holding individuals responsible for
violations of those laws. At this time, it is illegal in the State of
Kansas to use or possess schedule I drugs as listed in KSA 65-4105. It
is also illegal to manufacture such drugs for personal use or
otherwise. The Finney County Attorney's office will continue to strive
to serve the public by enforcing the laws as written within the state.

When asked when an arrest is expected, Richmeier said the case had
just been filed and has not yet been processed.

Banda could not be reached for comment.

The drug investigation and child-in-need-of-care case came about as a
result of comments Banda's son made during a drug education program
held March 24 at his school, Bernadine Sitts Intermediate Center, that
resulted in the Department of Children and Families and Garden City
Police Department being contacted.

According to police, the boy said his mother and other adults in his
residence were avid drug users and that there was a lot of drug use
occurring in his residence, which led police to suspect drugs were
present in the home.

Officers and DCF officials went to Banda's home that same day, where
Banda initially denied them consent to search the residence. After
securing a search warrant, police found 1.25 pounds of marijuana in
plant, oil, joint, gel and capsule form and drug paraphernalia in the
home. Officers also found a lab used for manufacturing cannabis oil.
All of the items were within reach of the child, police said,
prompting law enforcement and DCF officials to decide the boy should
be removed from the home.

The boy initially was placed in the custody of his father, who is
separated from Banda, and then put into protective custody on April
16. It is unknown at this time whether he remains in protective
custody, due to District Magistrate Judge Richard Hodson placing a gag
order on any and all proceedings in the child-in-need-of-care (CINC)
case.

Banda became an advocate of cannabis and its medicinal properties
after treating her own Crohn's disease with cannabis oil. She also
authored a book titled, "Live Free or Die," and has appeared in
YouTube videos and in online articles on www.naturalnews.com, sharing
her knowledge of and belief in the medicinal benefits of cannabis oil.

Banda has not been without her supporters.

Following one of the child-in-need-of-care proceedings, supporters of
Banda gathered in Stevens Park.

A Gofundme account, a fundraising website, established on behalf of
Banda for potential legal fees has raised $43,000.

Additionally, a close family friend of Banda's launched Care2
petition, an online petition, urging local law enforcement and DCF
officials to waive charges against Banda and return her son to her
care.

As of Friday, more than 133,000 people from all over the U.S., as well
as people from Germany, Ireland, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Mexico,
Italy, France and other countries have signed the petition.
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MAP posted-by: Matt