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JURY CAN SEND MESSAGE ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW

Being on a jury can be one of the greatest experiences of citizenship.  It is a duty that you should not take lightly or try to dismiss.  As a juror, you have the power to send a message regarding unjust laws.  The name for this is jury nullification.

A jury can nullify the prosecution of any case just by voting not guilty even if the evidence is overwhelming.  Why should a jury do this? To send a message that we will no longer tolerate abuse by rogue prosecutors.

A case could be made that the time has come for a jury to use the powers given to it and nullify any prosecution of any medical marijuana caregiver or dispensary operator if that person's only crime is providing medicine to a card-carrying patient.  It has become clear that our lawmakers will not tackle this and clarify the laws, provisions and parameters.

Jury nullification would send a strong message to any prosecutor that the citizens who voted in this referendum understood the vague language and accepted that this initiative should be interpreted in the widest possible application.  After nullification of several cases, prosecutors would not bring these cases any longer as precedent would be set and effectively change the law.

This all starts with 12 people and their ability to wield enormous power and integrity.  Begin the end to the war on patients now.

Thomas DeLaTorre

Pinckney