Pubdate: Thu, 28 Feb 2013
Source: Chico News & Review, The (CA)
Copyright: 2013 Chico Community Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.newsreview.com/chico/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/559

MEDI-POT CHARGES DROPPED

Ruling in San Diego Has Effect on Local Case

The charges against former medical-marijuana dispensary operator Rick 
Tognoli (pictured) have been dropped based on a recent ruling in a 
San Diego case.

The Fourth District Court of Appeal reversed the conviction of Jovan 
Jackson, whose dispensary was raided in 2008. Jackson had been 
convicted of accepting cash from his collective's members to keep the 
dispensary alive.

In a unanimous ruling the court said, "[T]he collective or 
cooperative association required by the act need not include active 
participation by all members in the cultivation process but may be 
limited to financial support by way of marijuana purchases from the 
organization."

Tognoli's was one of eight Butte County dispensaries raided in June 
2010. His charges had included accepting money for pot. Butte County 
District Attorney Mike Ramsey said the ruling "has made it almost 
impossible to prosecute dispensaries that are disguised as 
collectives and making supposedly no profit."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom