Medical Marijuana Advocate Pleads Innocent To Charges

August 04, 1998 - Sacramento Bee

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Medical marijuana advocate Todd McCormick pleaded innocent Monday to federal charges of conspiring to grow the drug in a Bel-Air mansion where authorities found more than 4,000 marijuana plants.

McCormick and six others were indicted on charges of conspiracy to grow marijuana, possessing the drug with the intent to distribute, and distributing it. McCormick's indictment superseded a previous charge of conspiracy to manufacture marijuana.

The group allegedly grew marijuana at four leased locations in Los Angeles County, distributed it and tried to sell to the Los Angeles Cannibis Buyer's Club, which has dispensed the drug since Californians voted in 1996 to legalize it for medical use.

McCormick, who is free on bail, has maintained he has done nothing illegal under Proposition 215, which legalized the cultivation, use and possession of marijuana for medicinal purposes on a doctor's recommendation. Federal courts have not recognized the state law.

The activist claims marijuana helps ease the pain from a rare form of cancer he has suffered since childhood. He also suffers pain from hip and back problems.

McCormick entered his plea Monday with one of his co-defendants, Andrew Scott Hass. Two others also indicted in July pleaded innocent last week and two others were expected to enter pleas next week. A bench warrant was issued for a seventh defendant, Kirill Dyjine, who failed to show up to court Monday.

back

In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107 and The Berne Convention on Literary and Artistic Works, Article 10, news clippings are made available without profit for research and educational purposes.