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Judi Lynn

(160,630 posts) Wed Jul 9, 2014, 10:42 PM Jul 2014

Terminal Cancer Patient Guilty In Marijuana Trial [View all]

Source: Huffington Post

Terminal Cancer Patient Guilty In Marijuana Trial
The Huffington Post | By Matt Ferner
Posted: 07/09/2014 9:18 pm EDT Updated: 36 minutes ago

A terminal cancer patient who says he grew marijuana to treat his tumors was found guilty of drug charges Wednesday by an Iowa jury that wasn't allowed to hear his defense.

Benton Mackenzie, 48, was convicted in Iowa district court jury of marijuana manufacturing and conspiracy, along with his wife, Loretta, 43, the Quad-City Times' Brian Wellner first reported. Their son Cody, 22, was found guilty of misdemeanor possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.

Benton Mackenzie, who had been barred by Judge Henry Latham from a defense that explains he grew cannabis to relieve his aggressive and rare cancer of the blood vessels, faces a minimum of three years in prison when he is sentenced later. His family said they intend to appeal the verdicts. Mackenzie said prison may kill him as his health worsens.

On Monday, Mackenzie was rushed out of Scott County District Court to a hospital after complaining of extreme pain and hallucinations. He suffers from severe angiosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer of the blood vessels that produces large skin lesions. His family said he was treated for anemia and other symptoms overnight, Quad City Times reported.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/09/benton-mackenzie-guilty_n_5572445.html

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Terminal Cancer Patient Guilty In Marijuana Trial [View all] Judi Lynn Jul 2014 OP

FFS Phlem Jul 2014 #1

Yes it is Phlem,that really sucks just doesn't seem adequate. easychoice Jul 2014 #8

That would be his own fault but Phlem Jul 2014 #12

Well his Dr's will probably protect him,but the wife and kid are doomed. easychoice Jul 2014 #13

"cesspool of slimy filth" heaven05 Jul 2014 #66

Actually in at least one SCOTUS session regarding Medicinal Marijuana, truedelphi Jul 2014 #87

"Big Pharma campaign contributions" . . . don't forget Big Alcohol Strelnikov_ Jul 2014 #95

this country's heaven05 Jul 2014 #96

That is beyond absurd ailsagirl Jul 2014 #2

Agreed. yuiyoshida Jul 2014 #29

SNAFU heaven05 Jul 2014 #67

Good God, what's wrong with the legal system in this country? Jackpine Radical Jul 2014 #3

Reprehensible. I am still stunned he was threatened with jail if he dared mention his circumstances. Mnemosyne Jul 2014 #42

What will save us, and it seems to be the only thing that might save us, truedelphi Jul 2014 #88

Not hearing his defense? truebrit71 Jul 2014 #4

The new America... awoke_in_2003 Jul 2014 #7

This can not be yuiyoshida Jul 2014 #31

It's a big WTF moment for me too. NealK Jul 2014 #37

It's typical, from what I've read over the years of medical marijuana prosecutions. n/t eShirl Jul 2014 #54

he was threatened with jail if he even mentioned his illness in court KurtNYC Jul 2014 #57

Pound of flesh... MrScorpio Jul 2014 #5

So in this case it is a capital offense? Let him die in jail to prove that marijuana is bad for you Throd Jul 2014 #6

How else will you save him from the perils of cannabis? Ed Suspicious Jul 2014 #24

They're going to make him die in prison over a fucking plant. geomon666 Jul 2014 #9

Bingo cerveza_gratis Jul 2014 #78

The super power I dream of having Kelvin Mace Jul 2014 #10

Sounds good. nt Mnemosyne Jul 2014 #43

This Is Crazy.... supercats Jul 2014 #11

As an Iowan, this is embarrassing. progressoid Jul 2014 #14

Indeed, HTF did that buffoon ever get re-elected? hatrack Jul 2014 #64

Yep. There is a cancerous tumor in Iowa's politics too. n/t progressoid Jul 2014 #74

Alls I can say is learn about jury nullification. Hoppy Jul 2014 #15

Hard to get nullification when the judge doesn't let you present the defense you want to present. nt PoliticAverse Jul 2014 #30

That's why jurors need to be informed. Hoppy Jul 2014 #61

What fuckwits were on this jury? bluestateguy Jul 2014 #16

The jury wasn't allowed to hear the medical defense, so I can't really blame them...yet. Comrade Grumpy Jul 2014 #28

They still sent a man to jail for growing a plant bluestateguy Jul 2014 #33

As much as I agree with you F4lconF16 Jul 2014 #51

Easy to blame the jury when you don't know what really happened. Most likely rhett o rick Jul 2014 #83

Too many people are too conditioned to just blindy follow authority bluestateguy Jul 2014 #85

Does anyone have the email address of the President? Half-Century Man Jul 2014 #17

Write to the governor bluestateguy Jul 2014 #20

Not the Gov of Iowa progressoid Jul 2014 #73

Juries, Ma'am, Are Just Going To Have To Start Voting To Acquit.... The Magistrate Jul 2014 #18

Sounds good to me. Ed Suspicious Jul 2014 #25

You are so right. It could transform the way injustice is meted out. Perfect response. n/t Judi Lynn Jul 2014 #40

We found something to agree on. former9thward Jul 2014 #41

Sound right to me.... but defacto7 Jul 2014 #48

+1000 G_j Jul 2014 #82

Dear God America...get a freakin' real job! AllyCat Jul 2014 #19

This is just pathetic. Uncle Joe Jul 2014 #21

Yeah right ... MindMover Jul 2014 #22

Yeah, but I can't make tyleno, juajen Jul 2014 #93

Just keep appealing that sucker until no appeals are left. This is fucking criminal. Ed Suspicious Jul 2014 #23

Yes it is criminal, and I suppose defacto7 Jul 2014 #49

CROOKED JUDGES ALL OVER THE LAND. DeSwiss Jul 2014 #26

Great toon, DeSwiss! Thanks. nt Mnemosyne Jul 2014 #44

The tumors look absolutely horrific. They must be so painful. How on earth can that not be Ed Suspicious Jul 2014 #27

By way of explanation, but in NO WAY A JUSTIFICATION, the Court can follow the law technically Dustlawyer Jul 2014 #35

Thanks for the great explanation. Ed Suspicious Jul 2014 #36

Does this mean they could not mention that he has this horrible illness, or just that he cannot say Mnemosyne Jul 2014 #46

The Judge probably could have let it in, may or may not have been overturned on appeal. Dustlawyer Jul 2014 #56

Thanks DL. Seems that if allowed, the jury most likely would have put 2 & 2 together. Or not. nt Mnemosyne Jul 2014 #65

The teacher was found guilty in the Scopes Monkey Trial too.... Spitfire of ATJ Jul 2014 #32

Excellent point n/t Strelnikov_ Jul 2014 #94

Unspeakable! Rhiannon12866 Jul 2014 #34

He wasn't allowed to explain he used the pot for his cancer, of course he was found guilty. herding cats Jul 2014 #38

This is unreal. NealK Jul 2014 #39

And the prison industrial complex claims another victim. Initech Jul 2014 #45

Let it go, US. Let's move forward. This is embarrassing. C Moon Jul 2014 #47

As the World weeps for the injustice, defacto7 Jul 2014 #50

Despicable. blackspade Jul 2014 #52

I wonder how 'Judge' Latham can sleep at night. PatrickforO Jul 2014 #53

Probably with Ambien or some other sleep-inducing prescription drug... nt Earth_First Jul 2014 #59

Anyone else JackInGreen Jul 2014 #55

Is there a petition started for a pardon for this guy? KurtNYC Jul 2014 #58

81% of Iowans favor legalization of medical marijuana!!! Peace Patriot Jul 2014 #60

henry.latham@iowacourts.org Hoppy Jul 2014 #62

Are Iowa judges elected? Hoppy Jul 2014 #63

Appointed 2013 by Terry Branstad - Republican. LoisB Jul 2014 #80

I hope the Iowa tax payers know they are going lovuian Jul 2014 #68

This is why jurors need to be educated... wildbilln864 Jul 2014 #69

I'll say this as gently as I can bluestateguy Jul 2014 #92

I don't understand why someone can't present a defense! wildbilln864 Jul 2014 #70

I agree. christx30 Jul 2014 #75

What a complete waste of taxpayer money. The trial, the imprisonment - all of it riderinthestorm Jul 2014 #71

What's amazing is comments in support of jail on the Iowa news site mainer Jul 2014 #72

link, please, so that DUers can post comments. Duppers Jul 2014 #76

link: mainer Jul 2014 #81

thanks! Duppers Jul 2014 #86

What kind of legal system can do that???? redstatebluegirl Jul 2014 #77

seriously fucked up shit... dhill926 Jul 2014 #79

Reefer Madness? nolabels Jul 2014 #97

Prison will kill him Warpy Jul 2014 #84

Why would a competent attorney allow the court to ban testimony? Ruby the Liberal Jul 2014 #89

Here is the judge's and prosecutor's contact information. Also link to facebook and web pages for pt magical thyme Jul 2014 #90

so I emailed the judge and prosecutor, including a picture of the tumors (warning: graphic) magical thyme Jul 2014 #91