Local prosecutors dropped felony marijuana charges against the founder of a club that distributed medical marijuana to seriously ill patients after a judge agreed to allow testimony that the defendant’s marijuana sales were motivated by the “medical necessity” of his customers.
Zvi Baranoff, who ran the medical marijuana club for over one year, called the outcome a major victory. “We have set something of a precedent,” he said, referring to Judge Richard Payne’s unique ruling last September allowing Baranoff’s attorney — NORML Legal Committee Member Norm Kent — to argue a defense of “medical necessity distribution.” Payne also agreed that Baranoff did not have “criminal intent” in distributing marijuana to seriously ill patients.
Last week, the State Attorney’s Office decided to settle Baranoff’s case out of court. Baranoff agreed to serve 18 months probation.
“It has been clearly recognized that marijuana is a medicine, and that people who need it should have it,” Baranoff said. “[My case] is on the public record so that others can use it.”
Legal analysts claim that Judge Payne’s decision was the first time a court acknowledged that marijuana sales could be a “medical necessity” for the ill.
For more information, please contact either the Medical Cannabis Advocates at (305) 293-0190 or Attorney Norm Kent at (954) 763-1900.