Copperhill Mayor Janelle Kimsey has been indicted by a grand jury on marijuana possession charges after police discovered 10 marijuana plants growing on the deck of her home. Kimsey turned herself in to authorities following her arraignment and was later released on $500 cash bond.
Kimsey’s legal problems began last June when 10 marijuana plants were found growing on her front porch. At the time, Kimsey alleged that she was growing the marijuana for “educational” purposes. “We made a drug bust a couple of months ago, and citizens wanted to know what [marijuana] looked like,” she explained shortly after the incident. “Dumb me, I didn’t know I couldn’t do it. I know ignorance is no excuse, but in my case, it was ignorance.”
Authorities are not buying the mayor’s claim and have set a trial date for September 20. However, some citizens are critical that Kimsey is only being charged with simple possession — a misdemeanor — rather than cultivation.
According to Shari Taylor, assistant district attorney for the 10th Judicial District, the 10 plants possessed by Kimsey “came to less than one-half ounce” (14 grams) when weighed all together and did not merit felony charges. However, according to federal sentencing guidelines, one marijuana plant is presumed to weigh 100 grams. “Apparently, there exists one set of marijuana plant-weight ratios for politicians and another set for the rest of America,” commented NORML Deputy Director Allen St. Pierre.
Kimsey is due back in court on September 16 for a status hearing.