Legal Marijuana Provider Gets 10 Years, Lecture From Judge

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Cannabis Culture
Aaron Sandusky: “This is a terrible injustice. Nobody wins.”

Aaron Sandusky Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison
By Cheri Sicard
Aaron Sandusky, the president of G3 Holistics, which operated three legal (under state law) California medical marijuana dispensaries, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison on Monday in Los Angeles. Once his sentence is served, Sandusky will then face five years of supervised probation, including random drug testing. 
He is also being compelled to complete a drug rehab program, despite any evidence he actually has a drug addiction problem.
Defense attorney Roger Diamond made an impassioned plea on behalf of  his client, highlighting the conflicting opinions not only between state and federal law, both also laws within the state of California. He pointed out that Sandusky provided much needed medicine to seriously ill patients in full and open compliance with California state laws.

Diamond pleaded for leniency in sentencing in light of the fact that his client had not hurt anyone and his “crimes” were completely victimless.

Wikipedia
Judge Percy “No Mercy” Anderson: “Drugs have a direct correlation with gangs and violence and if you don’t see that you have blinders on.”

The judge wasn’t buying any of it, and in fact looked as if he were struggling to stay awake.
Before imposing sentence, Judge Percy “No Mercy” Anderson inquired if the shackled, prison issue jumpsuit-clad Sandusky had anything to say for himself. Aaron stood tall and spoke clearly and eloquently, apologizing to his business partners and co-workers who got dragged into the legal mess.
He explained that one of these men was an independent contractor hired to do some construction work and found himself  in the wrong place at the wrong time. Aaron also apologized to his family for the terrible burden this trial and his incarceration has placed on them.
What Sandusky did not do — and what the judge was obviously looking for — was grovel and beg the court for mercy because he had come to realize he had done something wrong. On that point, Aaron Sandusky, with nerves of steel, stood his ground.
Sandusky ended by saying “This is a terrible injustice. Nobody wins.”
The judge then had his turn. He proceeded with an ignorant and condescending speech that left most supporters slack jawed with shock.
Judge Anderson stated that Sandusky had “lost his moral compass.”   He went on to say that Congress has determined that marijuana is a dangerous controlled substance, and distribution of a controlled substance is a serious thing.  
The judge continued to address Sandusky and his crowd of pro cannabis supporters, saying “Drugs have a direct correlation with gangs and violence and if you don’t see that you have blinders on.”
Upon imposing sentence the judge said a substantial sentence was warranted as “determent” was a significant factor in this case. He claimed he was convinced that if the sentence were lenient, Sandusky would go out and repeat his crimes.
He also stated that if he failed to impose a harsh enough sentence it would both “trivialize Sandusky’s conduct” and “not protect the public.”
So there you have it. We, the members of the general public, should all feel safer tonight.  
Aaron Sandusky, a man who committed the victimless “crime” of providing marijuana to legally qualified patients, is locked away in prison for the next 10 years. 

Cannabis Cheri
Author/activist Cheri Sicard wrote this article.








Editor’s note: Cheri Sicard is author of The Cannabis Gourmet Cookbook (2012, Z-Dog Media), The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Easy Freezer Meals (2011, Alpha Books), and Everyday American (2008, Bookspan), among others. She is the Los Angeles County Community Leader for the NORML Women’s Alliance. You can read her blog at www.CannabisCheri.com.

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