San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Dismisses Charges Against Three More of the "SLO 12" Delivery Service Providers

MEDIA ADVISORY

San Luis Obispo Americans for Safe Access

For Immediate Release: February 15, 2012

Contact: San Luis Obispo Chapter Representative Linda Hill 805-528-0808

National ASA Media Liaison Kris Hermes 510-681-6361

San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Dismisses Charges Against Three More of the "SLO 12" Delivery Service Providers

District Attorney is likely to appeal the dismissals.

In San Luis Obispo Superior Court, Judge Jacqueline Duffy on February 15 -- Medical Marijuana Day -- dismissed the charges against Shelly, Troy and Rianna Allred, three of the so-called "SLO 12" delivery services providers who were swept up in a Narcotics Task Force raid in late December, 2010. This follows other dismissals handed down in January.

Although the former commander of the now defunct Narcotics Task Force had asserted that there was "concrete proof" of guilt of these defendants, the 14 months of protracted hearings, motions and other actions -- all at taxpayer expense -- have resulted in not one case going to trial. As in previous cases, the District Attorney refused to agree to the jury instructions that had been developed for use in these trials.

However, SLO County District Attorney Gerald Shea's office has appealed the earlier dismissals, and it is expected that they will also appeal the dismissals involving the Allreds.

The San Luis Obispo Chapter of Americans for Safe Access plans to launch a petition/letter-writing campaign urging DA Shea not to appeal the Allred's cases, and to drop the appeals that have already been filed. SLOASA recognizes that the vast majority of people in San Luis Obispo County are strongly in favor of medical marijuana (the county voters even passed Prop. 19, legalizing recreational use, by 51%-49%.) Our chapter is urging the District Attorney to recognize the desires of the public, the weakness of these cases, and the continuing and unnecessary financial cost of pursuing these cases to the Second District Court of Appeals and to drop the appeals.

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With over 50,000 active members in all 50 states, Americans for Safe Access (ASA) is the largest national member-based organization of patients, medical professionals, scientists and concerned citizens promoting safe and legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use and research. ASA works to overcome political and legal barriers by creating policies that improve access to medical cannabis for patients and researchers through legislation, education, litigation, grassroots actions, advocacy and services for patients and the caregivers.