Pubdate: Wed, 10 Jun 1998
Source: KNBC - MSNBC affiliate in Los Angeles
Contact:  http://www.msnbc.com/local/KNBC/default.asp 

PROSECUTORS, MCCORMICK HAMMER OUT DEAL

Todd McCormick has been making headlines on a regular basis since his arrest
last July for growing more than 4,000 pot plants.

LOS ANGELES- Federal prosecutors Wednesday agreed to drop efforts to get
medical marijuana advocate Todd McCormick's bail revoked for allegedly
smoking pot while awaiting trial on drug charges.

The government also agreed to allow McCormick to use Marinol, a prescription
drug that contains synthetic marijuana. In return, McCormick agreed to pay
$17,500 to set up a new drug testing procedure in Los Angeles that
differentiates between marijuana and Marinol. The deal came after several
hours of negotiations that interrupted a bail revocation hearing.
Prosecutors said McCormick, who was arrested last year with more than 4,000
pot plants, tested positive for marijuana 15 times between Jan. 20 and March
18, according to the government. 

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Checked-by: Melodi Cornett