California Medical Marijuana Provider Faces Sentencing Monday

Charles C. Lynch closely followed state and local laws, and now faces 20 years in prison.

John Stossel of ABC News 2020 with Charles Lynch and supporter Cheryl Aischele during Lynch's interview for ABC News in January 2009. Photo courtesy: friendsofccl.com

(LOS ANGELES) - Despite a recently announced change in federal medical marijuana policy, federally convicted medical marijuana provider Charles C. Lynch will face sentencing by Judge George H. Wu in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Monday, March 23rd.

Lynch was convicted on five counts of federal drug charges in August of 2008 after federal agents raided his Morro Bay medical marijuana collective, Central Coast Compassionate Caregivers (CCCC).

Lynch operated the facility in compliance with state law and obtained a use permit from the City of Morro Bay, which welcomed CCCC. The Bush administration's Justice Department ignored this when it arrested Lynch in 2007.

Lynch's sentencing comes only five days after U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced that only individuals in violation of both state and federal law would be targeted for prosecution. Medical marijuana advocates hope that Judge Wu takes the new policy into account when determining sentencing.

"Charlie Lynch is a tragic victim of a morally bankrupt policy that is now defunct," said MPP California policy director Aaron Smith. "The Justice Department should honor the new policy by asking for leniency, and Judge Wu should honor that request rather than crucify Charles Lynch based on outdated, bankrupt policies."

The federal sentencing of Charles C. Lynch happens Monday, March 23, 2009, 10:30 a.m., at the U.S. District Court, 312 N. Spring Street, Courtroom 10, in Los Angeles.

Source: Marijuana Policy Project