San Diego, CA: United States District Judge James Fitzgerald sentenced medical marijuana patient Steve McWilliams on Tuesday to six months in prison the maximum allowed under a plea bargain he agreed to in February. McWilliams who was co-director of San Diego’s Shelter from the Storm medical marijuana dispensary, and an original member of the city’s Medical Cannabis Task Force was also given three years probation, and ordered not to use marijuana even though he possesses a doctor’s recommendation to do so.
McWilliams plead guilty in February to felony cultivation of marijuana for maintaining a 20-plant garden in his home. Many drug law reform experts believe that McWilliams was singled out for federal prosecution because he was outspoken and politically active regarding the legalization of medicinal marijuana.
McWilliams will remain free on bail pending appeal.
For more information, please contact Keith Stroup of NORML at (202) 483-5500.