Just a couple days ago we reported on a Florida man, Robert Jordan, who denied a plea bargain offered by the state – the plea came after officers raided his home, finding over 20 cannabis plants, which were being used to treat his wife, Cathy Jordan, who suffers from Lou Gherig’s Disease. Cathy has lived over 20 years past her doctor’s prediction because of the use of cannabis, which helps her fight depression, nausea, and other symptoms associated with the disease.
In refusing to take the plea bargain, Robert made the smart move in standing up for his rights: It was his hopes that he would win a court case, or at least have his charges lowered, by proving “medical necessity”.
In the state of Florida, despite medical marijuana being illegal, those who can go through the tough process of proving that they possessed or cultivated marijuana for medical reasons, can get their charges lessened, or dropped entirely. By making such a move, however, Robert risked being charged, without plea, of marijuana cultivation, which carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison.
According to a local news station in Florida, charges have officially been dropped against Robert Jordan. They’ve done so, of course, not out of the kindness of their hearts, but because prosecutors feel that he’s in the perfect situation to win a “medical necessity” case. Because of this, they’ve decided to not make the effort in trying to charge him.
This immediately clears Robert of any potential penalty associated with the plants they found him cultivating.
Robert and his wife continue to lobby for marijuana law reform in the state: Currently a bill named in Cathy’s honor, the Cathy Jordan Medical Cannabis Act, is being discussed by Florida lawmakers.
Source: The Joint Blog
