Marijuana Anti-Prohibition Project 760.799.2055

When Ricardo Montes took the witness stand, the entire courtroom waited with alert curiosity. The solemn-looking young man had been the less visible of the two defendants, to the extent that the media focused almost exclusively on his partner Luke Scarmazzo during the build-up to trial. The rap star had dominated the public’s imagination, but Montes was...

FRESNO, CA -- In spite of the best efforts of their attorneys, convicted medical marijuana dispensary operators Luke Scarmazzo and Ricardo Montes have been refused a new trial. During a motions hearing last week, Judge Oliver Wanger ruled that the jurors’ exposure to outside information during deliberations did not justify setting aside their verdicts. Although he found...

OAKLAND, CA -- Medical marijuana defendants Michael “Mickey” Martin and Jessica Sanders got a break in federal court on Wednesday. In spite of felony convictions, the two will not serve any prison time for their involvement with the production and distribution of marijuana-laced foods. This outcome was no accident, however. By all appearances, it was the result...

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- A federal jury this afternoon found medical marijuana provider Charles “Eddy” Lepp guilty on all charges. This includes one count for conspiracy to distribute or to possess with the intent to distribute, and another count for manufacture or possession with the intent to distribute. With regard to both counts, jurors made the finding that...

FRESNO, CA -- She was once labeled the “Girl Friday” of a high-profile criminal defendant, but it seems that the case against Monica Valencia has finally gotten a dose of reality. In federal court on Monday, Valencia was sentenced to one year and one day for her involvement with a Modesto medical marijuana dispensary. The sentence included reductions granted...