Pubdate: Fri, 14 Dec 2007
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2007 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Carlos Illescas
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

ARAPCO MARIJUANA CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST VET

CENTENNIAL - Charges were dropped today against a  Desert Storm
veteran who was arrested for growing 71  marijuana plants in his basement.

Kevin Dickes, who has a medical marijuana card, faced  up to six years
in prison. He was scheduled to go to  trial in Arapahoe County
District Court in February.

Dickes said he needed the marijuana to help him with  the pain he has
suffered daily since a grenade landed  next to him in Kuwait when he
served there as a Marine  in 1991. He has no feeling below his right
calf and  suffers from chronic vascular disease.

Police swarmed Dickes' Aurora home on April 27 on a tip  from a
neighbor. SWAT officers opened his door and  threw him to the ground
and pointed their guns directly  at him, according to Dickes.

Dickes' attorney, Rob Corry, was pleased with the  decision and said
he will file a motion Monday to have  Dickes' possessions returned,
including the pot plants.

"This is a victory for medical marijuana, a victory for  Colorado
voters and a victory for compassion," Corry  said.

Under Colorado's medical-marijuana law, approved by  voters in 2001,
patients under a doctor's care who get  a medical-marijuana card, as
Dickes did, can have up to  2 ounces of pot or six plants. But there
is a provision  in the law that allows for more plants if a judge
deems  the medical condition warrants it.
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