Federal jury acquits on 4 of 5 pot charges against Kettle Falls Five

[pokerfan]

Not a complete acquittal but better than nothing.

The case of the so-called “Kettle Falls Five” has been closely watched nationwide as an indicator of how tough the federal government will be in pursuing criminal marijuana charges in states that have legalized the drug for medicinal and recreational uses. Co-defendant Larry Harvey, Firestack-Harvey’s husband, was removed from the case last month due to a diagnosis of terminal pancreatic cancer. The final defendant, Jason Zucker, took a plea deal for 16 months in prison and testified for the prosecution last week.



In a courtroom that had been filled with whispers, soundless protests and spontaneous applause all week, the moments before jurors acquitted the three remaining members of the “Kettle Falls Five” of most of their charges were silent.

When Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl Hicks asked that Rhonda Firestack-Harvey, her son Rolland Gregg and his wife, Michelle, be taken into custody, that silence was broken.

“Are you kidding me?” one man whispered.

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2015/mar/03/pot-growers-federal-charges/

[Mnemosyne]

1. Despicable that people are still going through this crap. It is getting better though, somewhat.

Not out of hope for national legalization yet...

[pokerfan]

2. I thought the feds were going to ease up on states where it's been legalized.

[Mnemosyne]

3. When do they ever do what they say?

[Zorra]

4. I grew up just west of Kettle Falls.

Back just before the dinosaurs became extinct.

The best hybrid strains of herb on the planet were developed in that area; it's like the Hindu Kush of North America.

Thinking about that wonderful taste, and the smell of the fresh buds drying in the shed, makes me almost wish I still smoked.

I haven't been back there in years, and don't know the defendants, but I'm sure I know some of their neighbors. I really hope they get off with a slap on the wrist, we all have a natural right to grow and use herb, and arresting people for any marijuana related offense is plain old fascism.