Court says Humboldt growers aren’t drug dealers

Aug. 24, 2020 Updated Wed., Aug. 26, 2020 at 4:21 p.m.

SACRAMENTO – The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declared that two cannabis growers from Humboldt County can’t be charged with violating federal laws since they were in compliance with California marijuana laws.

In 2012, the DEA raided a farm and arrested owners Anthony Pisarski and Sonny Moore on federal distribution and cultivation charges. They also seized 300 plants, growing material, guns, gold bars and at least $225,000 in cash.

They both pleaded guilty in 2014, but in 2017 Richard Seeborg, a federal judge, ruled that a 2015 law passed by Congress shielded medical cannabis businesses that are following state law from federal interference.

The 9th Circuit court judges voted 2-1 in July to affirm Judge Seeborg’s position, saying that law also didn’t allow federal authorities to spend resources prosecuting cases involving use, possession or cultivation if someone is strictly following medical marijuana laws.

U.S. Rep. Dana Rohrbacher, who introduced the amendment in Congress, was happy with the decision, and encouraged the DEA to focus more on non-cannabis criminal activity.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Court says Humboldt growers aren’t drug dealers

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

Like and follow: Social media marketing a challenge for cannabis brands

‘Cynical’ designer concerned about industry

Psilocybin study underway in Seattle