Eddy Lepp's Religious Use Defense
The federal case against medical cannabis grower Eddy Lepp was continued last week and has been rescheduled for 10 am Monday at U.S. District Court in San Francisco. Lepp's attorney, star civil rights lawyer Tony Serra, is expected to ask Judge Marilyn Patel to postpone the case until 2007 when Serra will be released from jail.
According to his colleague Omar Figueroa, a fellow attorney at the Pier 5 law offices, Serra will being serving a 10-month term on March 31 for his long standing refusal to pay taxes. Or as the court stated it, "failure to pay war taxes."
This is potentially bad news for Lepp who Serra was representing pro bono. Lepp says he can not afford to pay a private attorney. Lepp is arguing a religious use defense for his cultivation of cannabis – an argument which could set an important precedent. If Lepp looses Serra as an attorney, chances are that his federal public defender will have far less fire in the belly to make the religious use defense that Lepp wants.
Comments
Hi Ann, Nice site. You are an awesome reporter. What a bummer for Lepp but oh well I guess he'll have to enjoy his freedom for another year. The wheels of justice turn slow, real slow.
Best Wishes,
Pierre Werner
Posted by: Pierre Werner | January 28, 2006 11:00 AM
I just wanna know if are there ANY COMPANIES IN BROOKLYN OR IN NEW YORK CITY (MANHATTAN) OFFERING REASONABLE SALARIES FOR SOPHOMORE AND/OR ENTRY LEVEL APPLICANTS THAT DON'T TRY TO HINDER THEIR CIVIL LIBERTIES BY PLACING A DRUG TEST IN FRONT OF THEM!
Posted by: M-BEY | February 17, 2006 08:48 AM
This is a very important case but if an appointed lawyer flubs the religious defense, it could be appealed. Right?
Why doesn't he contact the ACLU? They care a lot about religious freedom and have deeper pockets.
Here are some links that might be of interest.
Religious freedom activist network, TONS of links:
http://www.freedomactivist.net/religion.html
Smoking with god:
http://www.skunkmagazine.com/v2/smokingwithgod.html
Interview with Rev Ferre:
http://www.shoutwire.com/comments/3928Interview_With_Amsterdam_s_Premier_Cannabis_Minister
Posted by: Lauren | March 10, 2006 10:48 PM