Open Letter Encourages Sanity in Sentencing of California Medical Marijuana Dispensary Owner

(LOS ANGELES, Calif.) - Veteran American marijuana activist Ed Rosenthal has drafted a letter he hopes will have an effect on the outcome of the sentencing of a California medical marijuana dispensary owner.

Charles Lynch was in the opinion of thousands, possibly millions of Americans, completely railroaded by an overzealous California sheriff; one who overstepped his own boundaries countless times in the case.

The most basic information about California state law allowing medical marijuana use was disqualified because Charles Lynch was convicted on a federal level, and the United States government clearly, more than ever, does not respect the rights of states as outlined by the Constitution.

Lynch was never caught doing anything illegal, but he was hounded incessantly by San Luis Obispo County Sheriff Pat Hedges who enlisted the DEA to bring down the Morro Bay dispensary, one that was endorsed my the city's mayor and chamber of commerce directors as a 100% legal and legitimate business.

Lynch was convicted because his security guard sold a small amount of pot to a DEA agent when he was off work and miles from Lynch's dispensary.

All the feds will do if they sentence Lynch to prison time is create a martyr and I promise that to be the case. Along with a long list of famous celebrities supporting Lynch, we too will stay in the fray until this man is free and living a normal life.

When Lynch is sentenced tomorrow, for violating a law the President's new AG Eric Holder says will no longer be enforced, the authorities have a chance to show their honor to their word.

The White House
President Barack Obama
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
FAX: (202) 456-2461

I am writing to you to request that you intervene in the Federal Prosecution and sentencing of Charles C. Lynch in Los Angeles. Charles C. Lynch operated a City Sanctioned Medical Marijuana Dispensary that complied with state and local laws in Morro Bay California. Lynch had a business license that clearly stated “Medical Marijuana Dispensary” as the type of business. He also had “Conditions of Business License” issued by the City of Morro Bay which he followed diligently and was a member of the local Chamber of Commerce. Lynch also went through the conditional use permit process and received a permit which allowed to him to have a Medical Cannabis Nursery.

During Lynch’s trial in August 2008 he was not allowed to talk about Medical Marijuana and was not allowed to use the California State Laws or the Constitution as an affirmative defense during his trial. Lynch was unjustly convicted in Federal Court and is facing Mandatory Minimum sentences ranging from 5 to 100 years. The Judge has asked for clarification from your administration on the ‘New Policy’ mentioned by Eric Holder, but instead got a letter from the Department of Justice employee Marshal Jarrett that says that Lynch was properly prosecuted and convicted according to the ‘New Policy’ but does not describe the ‘New Policy’.

Before opening his Dispensary Lynch called the DEA and inquired about Medical Marijuana dispensaries and they told him ‘it was up to the cities and counties’ to decide how to handle the matter. The DEA and Federal Government have singled Lynch out for prosecution for some unknown reason as hundreds of Dispensaries continue to operate around the State and Country. The DEA and US Attorney’s Office are now saying Lynch was breaking State Laws but has not elaborated or proved any such charges and Lynch was not allowed to discuss State Laws during his trial.

President Obama, the California Medical Marijuana Laws are based on the 10th Amendment to the Constitution. You have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution. I plead with you to have your Department of Justice officials dismiss the case and conviction of Charles C. Lynch. Even the Judge in the case was quoted at the latest Sentencing Hearing saying that if he could find a way around the Mandatory Minimums he would. Also the City of Morro Bay Mayor and City Attorney spoke at his most recent sentencing hearing and spoke highly of Lynch and his compliance with State and Local laws. The Mayor and City Attorney were not allowed to discuss details of Lynch’s compliance with Local Laws during his trial.

The investigation, trial, conviction and sentencing of Charles C. Lynch are a miscarriage of justice. Please use your Executive powers to end the persecution of Charles C. Lynch. Visit friendsofccl.com for more information.

This letter can be forwarded, Ed Rosenthal says those who want to get involved can send it to:

Estimates are that a personal phone call has 1000 times the impact of a petition and 10 times a personal letter. Call to follow-up on your email, let them know it is coming, and to give the personal touch that only voice can.

Rosenthal and other experts suggest mentioning Obama's campaign promise to uphold states rights regarding medical marijuana. Also mention his oath to uphold the constitution and the 10th amendment which the California medical marijuana laws are based upon.

* Loretta Sanchez (202) 225-2965 Member Name DC Phone DC FAX
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D- CA) 202-224-3841 202-228-3954
Senator Barbara Boxer (D- CA) 202-224-3553 202-224-0454
Representative Mike Thompson (D - 01) 202-225-3311 202-225-4335
Representative Wally Herger (R - 02) 202-225-3076 202-226-0852
Representative Dan Lungren (R - 03) 202-225-5716 202-226-1298
Representative Tom McClintock (R - 04) 202-225-2511 202-225-5444
Representative Doris Matsui (D - 05) 202-225-7163 202-225-0566
Representative Lynn C. Woolsey (D - 06) 202-225-5161 202-225-5163
Representative George Miller (D - 07) 202-225-2095 202-225-5609
Representative Nancy Pelosi (D - 08) 202-225-4965 202-225-4188
Representative Barbara Lee (D - 09) 202-225-2661 202-225-9817
Representative Ellen O. Tauscher (D - 10) 202-225-1880 202-225-5914
Representative Jerry McNerney (D - 11) 202-225-1947 202-225-4060
Representative Jackie Speier (D - 12) 202-225-3531 202-226-4183
Representative (Pete) Stark (D - 13) 202-225-5065 202-226-3805
Representative Anna G. Eshoo (D - 14) 202-225-8104 202-225-8890
Representative Mike Honda (D - 15) 202-225-2631 202-225-2699
Representative Zoe Lofgren (D - 16) 202-225-3072 202-225-3336
Representative Sam Farr (D - 17) 202-225-2861 202-225-6791
Representative Dennis Cardoza (D - 18) 202-225-6131 202-225-0819
Representative George Radanovich (R - 19) 202-225-4540 202-225-3402
Representative Jim Costa (D - 20) 202-225-3341 202-225-9308
Representative Devin Nunes (R - 21) 202-225-2523 202-225-3404
Representative Kevin McCarthy (R - 22) 202-225-2915 202-225-2908
Representative Lois Capps (D - 23) 202-225-3601 202-225-5632
Representative Elton Gallegly (R - 24) 202-225-5811 202-225-1100
Representative (Buck) McKeon (R - 25) 202-225-1956 202-226-0683
Representative David Dreier (R - 26) 202-225-2305 202-225-7018
Representative Brad Sherman (D - 27) 202-225-5911 202-225-5879
Representative Howard L. Berman (D - 28) 202-225-4695 202-225-3196
Representative Adam Schiff (D - 29) 202-225-4176 202-225-5828
Representative Henry A. Waxman (D - 30) 202-225-3976 202-225-4099
Representative Xavier Becerra (D - 31) 202-225-6235 202-225-2202
Representative Vacant ( - 32) 202-225-5464 202-225-5467
Representative Diane E. Watson (D - 33) 202-225-7084 202-225-2422
Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard (D - 34) 202-225-1766 202-226-0350
Representative Maxine Waters (D - 35) 202-225-2201 202-225-7854
Representative Jane Harman (D - 36) 202-225-8220 202-226-7290
Representative Laura Richardson (D - 37) 202-225-7924 202-225-7926
Representative Grace Napolitano (D - 38) 202-225-5256 202-225-0027
Representative Linda T. Sanchez (D - 39) 202-225-6676 202-226-1012
Representative Edward R. Royce (R - 40) 202-225-4111 202-226-0335
Representative Jerry Lewis (R - 41) 202-225-5861 202-225-6498
Representative Gary Miller (R - 42) 202-225-3201 202-226-6962
Representative Joe Baca (D - 43) 202-225-6161 202-225-8671
Representative Ken Calvert (R - 44) 202-225-1986 202-225-2004
Representative Mary Bono Mack (R - 45) 202-225-5330 202-225-2961
Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R - 46) 202-225-2415 202-225-0145
Representative Loretta Sanchez (D - 47) 202-225-2965 202-225-5859
Representative John Campbell (R - 48) 202-225-5611 202-225-9177
Representative Darrell Issa (R - 49) 202-225-3906 202-225-3303
Representative Brian Bilbray (R - 50) 202-225-0508 202-225-2558
Representative Bob Filner (D - 51) 202-225-8045 202-225-9073
Representative Duncan D. Hunter (R - 52) 202-225-5672 202-225-0235
Representative Susan A. Davis (D - 53) 202-225-2040 202-225-2948

Charles Lynch's sentencing takes place at 9:30 a.m. Thursday June 11th 2009, in Federal Courthouse, Courtroom #10, 312 North Spring Street in Los Angeles, California.

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Sherry July 14, 2009 6:25 am (Pacific time)

Wonderful letter. It saddens me to think this man is in trouble for doing something that is clearly legal in his state. This is an outrage that he was convicted cause his security guard was selling Cannabis (it should be only him in trouble) and not Mr. Lynch. Its an outrage that Mr. Obama doesn't stop this WAR ON PEOPLE. We the People want CHANGE and to be able to take medication that will elevate our pain and suffering.

An American Sheep June 11, 2009 7:48 am (Pacific time)

DEA will never admit being wrong; if that happened they could face being counter sued. Poor Charles will get fined something. Just like a mortgage. No matter what lawful steps you take pleaing innocense, one individual can never win against an institution. No judge, no governor, and no congress person would ever in history represent an individual. None of them want to accept responsibility for setting precedence risking not being re elected. An observation; try to prove me wrong. With any luck Charles, after they steal your assets and drain you of all your money buying time they may say case dismissed. Say? That sounds just like my foreclosure.

Scott D. June 11, 2009 7:29 am (Pacific time)

Ed, Thank you for speaking up! People United for Medical Marijuana (www.pufmm.org) works to make medical marijuana available to patients, and throwing people in JAIL like Mr. Lynch is a travesty. I will do all I can to get your letter in the hands of those who can make the right choice. Stay Strong Charlie!

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