On Friday, a federal judge sentenced Chris Williams, a former medical marijuana caregiver, to 5 years in prison under a plea agreement that was struck with federal prosecutors after he was convicted by a jury at trial.
Williams’ sentencing marks the end of the prosecution for the four co-owners of Montana Cannabis, which was at one time the largest medical marijuana collective in the state.
Ultimately, the time Williams has already served counted toward his drug charges, and the 5 years he is now serving is for a weapons charge. The judge opted to drop a $1.7 million criminal forfeiture that the jury awarded against Williams.
Assistant US Attorney Joseph Thaggard had suggested that Williams serve two consecutive 5 year sentences for his crimes, but US District Judge Dana Christensen was more lenient with the former dispensary owner.
Initially, Williams was convicted of eight charges after a September trial in which he was not allowed to use Montana’s medical marijuana law as a defense. The collective was in full compliance with Montana law, but that made no difference in a federal case. Based on those 8 convictions, Williams would have been sentenced to a mandatory 80 years in prison.
In December, federal prosecutors dropped six charges of the charges against Williams as long as he agreed not to appeal convictions of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possessing a firearm in connection with drug trafficking.
A brief protest was held outside of the Missoula federal court house on Friday.
Williams’ partners Tom Daubert and Chris Lindsey both received probation and no jail time in their cases. Partner Richard Flor was given a give year sentence, but due to prior illness passed away only a few months after being incarcerated.
Williams’ attorney has recommended that he be incarcerated in the federal prison in Sheridan Oregon so he can be closer to his son who attends Montana State University.
[Source]
MACVISHION said on Feb 2, 2013
Nadroj where is your comment ? Lol
Nadroj said on Feb 2, 2013
Right here. Chris still deserves better… he was complying and abiding by state law completely!
gotdabs said on Feb 2, 2013
This is what happens to pioneers in a new state.
Nadroj said on Feb 2, 2013
What do you mean by a new state? Montana has a been a state since 1889 homie and has had mmj since 2004
spkavyo said on Feb 2, 2013
He should not have been charged, convicted and sentenced period. He was obeying the law, helping sick people get medicine. It sucks that the Feds cracked down so hard in Montana. Maybe appeals will finally get the federal classification changed and end this madness!
Nadroj said on Feb 2, 2013
Yup… and i get to live in the middle of it all being a resident of this god for saken state :/
alpha said on Feb 2, 2013
So he gets 5 yrs and his co owners got probation? I want their lawyers.
redlaser said on Feb 2, 2013
Of course they have to throw in the mandatory gun charge, denying an otherwise law abiding citizen the right to bear arms
Dillinger said on Feb 2, 2013
BULLSHIT!!! Obey the laws the people voted for and still go to jail. We are not living in a free country.
The Feds are violating our rights everyday. Why bother holding elections if they are going to do what they want anyways. The DEA's budget was $40,000,000.00 last year and they are asking for $2mil more in 2014. That does not count the $30mil that they generate every year on average from auctions. That also has nothing to do with who knows how much in black funding that is off the books. They are throwing away $40 mil a year minimal. Nothing is going to change. Is there anything, anything at all that could stop you from smoking marijuana tomorrow? Anything they could say or do to you to stop you?
NO! People who smoke weed are going to smoke weed, people who smoke crack or use cocaine are going to continue to do what they do regardless of the law. The Gov could make 20 billion a year if they taxed Cannabis on a nation wide scale. But they would rather put a guy in jail for obeying a law the people of Montana voted in. They could use the money for education and to help the homeless or for health care! This stupid fucking country pisses me off! I fight for the freedom and we don't even have freedom! What a joke! The State of Montana should fight for this mans freedom.
Nadroj said on Feb 2, 2013
Were trying best we can to free this man from this injustice!
eddie273273 said on Feb 3, 2013
DEA's "domestic" budget last year was 50 BILLION dollars . The DEA has agents / offices in 63 foreign countries . The CIA doesn't have that many offices in foreign countries . DEA "foreign" budget is more than 200 billion dollars .
dieselhaze said on Feb 4, 2013
i'm beginning to think obama lied again
GGLynzee said on Feb 3, 2013
Damn. I love all states. Especially one I named my dog after. Montana
Nadroj said on Feb 4, 2013
Cute… good name