Fate on Hold: Will Medical Marijuana Dispensary Owner Charlie Lynch Go to Jail?

Morro Bay, California medical marijuana dispensary operator Charles Lynch finds himself caught between the old guard and the new guard. While the dispensary he ran was fully legal under state law, he was convicted under federal law last year and faces the prospect of decades in jail--all for helping sick people.

Lynch is waiting on his sentence. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder recently signaled that the Obama administration would break with the Bush administration and prosecute medical marijuana dispensary owners only if they violated both federal and state law.

Lynch was convicted during the Bush years, but his sentencing will occur under the new regime. So where would that leave him on his sentencing day--a free man, a lifelong prisoner, something else?

It turns out that the man who hold Lynch's life in his hands isn't sure how the policy shift should affect sentencing. U.S. District Court Judge George H. Wu postponed his decision until he learns more about the Justice Department's policy regarding such cases.

In this press conference, Charles Lynch and Reuven Cohen, one of his public defenders, answer questions about the man who stands squarely in the middle of the nation's debate over medical marijuana. Will Lynch be punished for following the law? Or will he be set free from the drug war's long reach?

Produced by Ted Balaker and Alex Manning of Reason.tv.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• charles lynch
• charlie lynch
• charles c. lynch
• medical marijuana
• drug policy
• drug legalization
• marijuana
• cannabis
• reason.tv

[charlesclynch]

Thank you reason TV for all you have done for me.

Charles C. Lynch

[therealjamesbud]

There is something very un-norml going on in here. I hope he will go free, but he won't from the drug war's long reach. I think it is all about money & greed / control of teritories. How many patients a month does this dispensary serve? How many square miles do they cover?Everybody want's a piece of that action uncle sam included.

[TheBmann506]

jesus, this dude didnt do shit did he? what the FUCK is wrong with people? its fuckin pot! its not like he was sellin like morphine or aderol! its a fuckin herb! its about the same is alcohol, right? so leagalize it, and put the same restrictions on it as alcohol. problem fucking solved. leagalizee iiiit!

[LetArtsLive]

@ManDude5000 oyur videos speak for themselves you have some nerve calling names.Lets see you make a nice video people like troll!!!

[2tallbrandon]

@ManDude5000 And by the way, I work as an estimator/scheduler for a commercial contractor. Over 50 million in work this year has crossed our books. Not to mention that I am a care taker for 3 MMJ patients, and donate clones, trim, small bud, and time to my local CO-OP or nothing... Its not like I donate 10K a year to the 1199 foundation, and have for the last 3 years... Yeah I need a life. What were you doing at 24? living with mom? get a life Guy, dont be jealous I have something to fight for.

[2tallbrandon]

@ManDude5000 You mean like the medical systems that 10+ states have? yeah, I think its a more viable use of my energy then arguing a point that you know nothing about on youtube with someone that is as involved as I am. Just last week from 1 club DEA seized 400,000 cash, and another 350,000 in products. This is ONE club. think about how many the DEA has raided since 1995 in CA alone. Try asking the DEA your self for the current #'s, and don't be such a douche, you will get farther in life.

[ManDude5000]

@LetArtsLive

What, no clever retort?

reduced to name-calling?

you liberal faggots are so "hopeful" for "change"

illiterate how? do you even know what that means?

[ManDude5000]

@2tallbrandon

oh, second-hand info received from an "aid" spouted as fact.

So you're spearheading an effort to establish a regulated statewide system that will conflict with federal law and never be implemented. wow, very impressive. you homos keep dreaming, while the rest of us work real jobs.

a billion dollars!, LOL.

[LetArtsLive]

@ManDude5000 your just an asshole troll and illiterate and blocked fr!!!

[2tallbrandon]

@ManDude5000 How about the fact that everything I said has come out of the mouth of senator Lee's aids that have been helping me with starting a state regulated system for that last 2 years. Don't be such an ass, you just look stupid.

[ManDude5000]

@Mrcharliebobo

he is definitely not a citizen.

[ManDude5000]

@2tallbrandon

Where'd you get that statistic?

You say it as if it's a fact.

If you think even 2% of that money would have gone to the state, you're a moron.

Why do you care about the "debt" anyway.

another pro-weed retard