Pubdate: Wed, 21 Nov 2001
Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA)
Copyright: 2001 Hearst Communications Inc.
Contact:  http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388
Author: Bob Egelko
Note: Bust occurred 11/14
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada)

BAY AREA POT GURU BUSTED IN UTAH

Dennis Peron Caught With Joint

The godfather of medical marijuana in California didn't get much respect 
last week in Cedar City, Utah, where police caught him smoking a joint in 
his motel room.

Facing a felony charge of possessing marijuana for distribution, Dennis 
Peron said yesterday it was time that Utah had a law like California's 
Proposition 215, which he drafted in 1996.

"I'm going to go back and fight it and going to try to change the state 
law, " he said. "It's going to be a tough nut to crack, but it's not 
impossible."

Peron said he and fellow Bay Area marijuana activist John Entwistle had 
been heading for Zion National Park with a Utah friend last Wednesday and 
decided to sample the marijuana they had brought along, even though "I 
didn't think it was a good idea."

A maid picked up the scent in the hall, and the motel owner called police, 
who held the three men spread-eagled on the floor for 10 minutes "like we 
had committed a terrorist act," Peron said.

Officers searched the room and two cars outside and found enough marijuana 
to conclude the three were dealers.

Peron said it was only a few ounces, to be used for medical purposes as 
allowed by Prop. 215. He and Entwistle both have doctors' recommendations 
to take marijuana as part of their therapy for alcoholism, he said.

Iron County Attorney Scott Burns, the prosecutor, said yesterday that 
police had found nearly a pound, "an amount consistent with persons who 
possess with intent to distribute."

Regardless of California law, Burns said, "In Utah in 2001 it's illegal to 
possess a pound of marijuana, notwithstanding doctors' orders."

Police impounded the cars and all their cash -- about $8,000, according to 
Burns, or $3,700, according to Entwistle -- and the three were kept in jail 
overnight until a friend bailed them out. While the cars were returned, 
Burns said the cash would be held as evidence until the end of the case.

The charge is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison, but Burns 
said the usual sentence was 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
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MAP posted-by: Beth