A high-profile federal trial began Wednesday for three family members and a close family friend who have been charged with illegally possessing and distributing medical marijuana, among other offenses. If convicted, the defendants face minimum mandatory sentences of 10 years in prison.
Rhonda Firestack-Harvey, 55, her son Rolland Gregg, 33, and Rolland’s wife Michelle Gregg, 35, as well as the family’s close friend Jason Zucker, 38, grew marijuana on the property of their home in a rural town in northeast Washington. Larry Harvey, Firestack-Harvey’s husband and Rolland Gregg’s father, was originally charged in the case as well. However, the federal government agreed last week to dismiss all charges against Harvey because he was recently diagnosed with late-stage cancer.
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“The Obama administration has so far ignored a congressional order to stop prosecuting patients in medical marijuana states,” said Kris Hermes, a spokesman Americans for Safe Access, referring to the provision in the spending bill. Hermes’ group advocates for increased legal access to marijuana and more research into the drug.
“With no place to turn from a vengeful federal government,” Hermes argued, the defendants “will be forced to rely on jurors to do the right thing and acquit.”
