Pubdate: Fri, 31 May 2013
Source: Ashland Daily Tidings (OR)
Copyright: 2013 Ashland Daily Tidings
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/XFA1aH1A
Website: http://www.dailytidings.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1165
Author: Sanne Specht

BAIL REDUCED FOR THREE ARRESTED IN MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY RAIDS

Three people arrested in a series of medical marijuana dispensary 
raids last week successfully appealed their steep bail amounts this 
afternoon before a Jackson County Circuit Court judge.

Judge Tim Gerking reduced the $550,000 bail for Lori Duckworth, 50, 
and Leland Duckworth, 49, to $5,000 and $10,000 respectively. The 
bail for David James Bond, 44, was reduced from $200,000 to $5,000.

Supporters of the three gasped when Jackson County Circuit Judge Tim 
Barnack refused to lower the $550,000 bail holding the Duckworths in 
jail and bumped Bond's bail to $550,000 from $200,000 at a Tuesday hearing.

The Duckworths are charged with 11 counts each of conspiracy to 
deliver marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school and 11 counts each of 
manufacturing marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school.

Bond is charged with four counts of conspiracy to deliver marijuana 
within 1,000 feet of a school and four counts of manufacturing 
marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school.

Gerking cited the trio's strong community ties, limited or 
nonexistent criminal history and myriad medical issues as reasons for 
the bond reduction.

"I understand Judge Barnack's concerns and why he set bail so high," 
Gerking said, adding he was "reasonably satisfied" the defendants 
were not a flight risk or a danger to the public.

Lori Duckworth, a vocal proponent of medical marijuana, is the 
executive director of the Southern Oregon chapter of the National 
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

The SONORML office on West Sixth Street in Medford was one of four 
medical cannabis dispensaries raided by police on May 23.

Officers with numerous agencies descended on Puffin' Stuff on Crater 
Lake Avenue in Medford, the Green Compass on East McAndrews Road in 
Medford and The Compass on Second Avenue in Gold Hill.

Law enforcement alleges the dispensaries were storefronts for illegal 
marijuana sales.

The defendants on Tuesday each pleaded not guilty to all charges. 
They are scheduled for a pre-trial appearance on June 17.
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