Medical marijuana user wins case against city of Merced (Calif.)

[Heidi]

Small claims judge orders city to pay man $1,700 for pain and suffering

Posted on 08/15/07 02:40:00
By VICTOR A. PATTON

Samuel Matthews got high Tuesday — but it wasn't from marijuana.

Judge Armando Rodriguez awarded Matthews, a medical marijuana user, $1,700 for pain and suffering stemming from an October 2006 incident when he was cited by Merced police for possessing $300 in marijuana.

Although the 25-year-old Merced College student was originally seeking $7,500 in damages, he said the small claims court decision was not about the money. "It's about their illegal actions," Matthews said. "(The judge) showed that regardless of the federal standpoint on medical marijuana, the police are required to follow state law."

Local medical marijuana activists said Monday's decision marked a victory that will hopefully set a precedent for protecting their rights.

Medical marijuana user Grant Wilson said police will now hopefully "think twice" before citing anyone for using medical marijuana. "I'm happy for him," Wilson said. "I think he should have gotten the whole $7,500 just for the whole blatant disrespect of the law."

Read more: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/multimedia/story/13891893p-14460317c.html

[jojo54]

1. It's a shame that not all judges feel the same way.

[Heidi]

4. I completely agree. (nt)

[Jed Dilligan]

2. An acquaintance of mine got the price of his weed back

out of court. The CHP has stopped even confiscating prescription pot. A step in the right direction!

[Heidi]

3. Right on.

It's time to stop persecuting people for cutting big pharma out of personal health care decisions. :thumbsup:

(Edited for clarity.)