This week marks another critical mile-marker on the road to ending marijuana prohibition in the…
The post Welcome the Three New Legal Marijuana States appeared first on NORML.
The circuit court’s ruling striking down the law remains in effect until the Supreme Court either upholds or reverses the lower court’s decision.
The post South Dakota: Supreme Court Won’t Rule on Challenge to Voter-Initiated Adult-Use Law Until After July 1 appeared first on NORML.
The measure, which NORML opposed, was backed by a number of anti-cannabis organizations, including those opposed to the use of herbal cannabis as a therapeutic treatment in all situations.
The post Colorado: Governor Signs Law Imposing New Rules for Physicians Recommending Medical Cannabis, Young Adult Patients appeared first on NORML.
In the proposed FY22 Financial Services and General Government spending bill, which includes provisions relating…
The post House Appropriations Bill Removes Anti-Marijuana Rider and Includes Banking Protections appeared first on NORML.
“Rhode Island is an island of prohibition in a sea of legalization.”
The post Rhode Island: Senate Lawmakers Advance Adult Use Marijuana Legalization Bill appeared first on NORML.
“This legislation recognizes that the responsible use of marijuana by adults should not be a crime, and that those who carry the stigma of a criminal record for their past use of cannabis should receive relief.”
The post Connecticut Becomes 18th State to Legalize Marijuana for Adults appeared first on NORML.
On September 27, 2006, the DEA raided California Healthcare Collective, a medical marijuana dispensary in Modesto that had been operating and paying taxes for more than a year. A 2007 Fresno Bee story revealed that the focus of the federally funded, Fresno-based Central Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area and its chief Bill Ruzzamenti had shifted from methamphetamine to marijuana.
In a ceremony on January 18 of that year, then White House drug czar John Walters honored the state, local and federal officers who took down the California Healthcare Collective. Ruzzamenti nominated the Modesto police officers and others who received the “National Marijuana Initiative” awards. The Central Valley HIDTA’s goal had been “to reduce the manufacture, trafficking and distribution of methamphetamine, precursor chemicals and other dangerous drugs.” Over time, the Valley’s big meth labs decamped for Mexico—so agents have sought new targets.
CHC proprietors Ricardo Montes and Luke Scarmazzo, both 26, were found guilty of operating a “continuing criminal enterprise” in May 2008. On learning that the offense carried a mandatory 20-year minimum sentence, two jurors filed declarations with U.S. District Court in Fresno recanting their verdict, and lawyers sought a retrial.
Scarmazzo sentenced to 21 years and 10 months and Montes to 20 years. On January 5, 2011, a federal appeals court upheld the convictions of Scarmazzo and Montes, denying them a new trial. “We followed California law to the letter,” Scarmazzo stated. “We paid our taxes. We went to work every day providing a benefit and service to the community. Yet in the end, we were made out to look like common criminals.”
Ricardo Montes was granted clemency by President Obama and was released in May 2017. Unfortunately, and inexplicably, his co-defendant Scarmazzo’s petition was denied. In January 2021, Luke was denied release at the last minute by President Trump.
Luke posted on his Facebook page (1/27/21) that, “I have been in this quarantine unit in a federal penitentiary at Yazoo City, Mississippi for 91 days. When I arrived here prison officials lied and told me I’d only be here the standard 14 days. This, despite me being ‘COVID recovered’ in September 2020, with at least a temporary acquired natural immunity. I’m locked into my cell 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Out of 168 hour week, I’m allowed out of my cell for 3 hours to take a shower and use the phone; the other 165 I’m in a concrete box. I haven’t felt the warm sun or inhaled a breath of fresh air in over 3 months. I’m fed enough to be kept alive and confined in frigid temperatures. And these are just a few of the blatant constitutional and human rights violations that I endure daily without just cause.”
Luke has served 14 years and isn’t scheduled for release until 2027. He is the last known federal medical marijuana prisoner from California. He currently has two appeals pending in court that could set #FreeLukeScarmazzo. Read more about Luke.
Luke Scarmazzo 63131-097
USP Yazoo City
PO BOX 5000
Yazoo City, MS 39194
Release date: 03/14/2027
The post Luke Scarmazzo, California’s Last Federal Medical Marijuana Prisoner appeared first on CANORML.
In reply to Debra N Holmes.
Debra:GOD BLESS YOU., VETERAN MAX
In reply to jeff jantz.
I understand 2000%, Im working on GETTING OFF METHADONE well all Pain Meds. Cannabis is helping..
Ive been saying for years.. bring back alcohol prohibition and see just how much those results go down. oh wait they wont they make to much money taxing it and for fines. I have not taken asprin, cough syrup, pills,pharmacuticals or any other substance other than marijuana since 1986 and am perfectly healthy