“A terminal cancer patient who faced up to 15 years in prison for growing marijuana that he says was used to treat his tumors was instead sentenced to probation by an Iowa judge Tuesday.
The Quad-City Times’ Brian Wellner first reported the surprise ruling Tuesday afternoon:
BREAKING: Judge Latham sentences Benton Mackenzie to probation. #mackenzie #cancer #marijuana [via @brianwellner].”
Benton Mackenzie, 48, faced at least three and as much as 15 years in prison, but District Judge Henry Latham instead chose to grant Mackenzie a three-year probation, Wellner reported.
About a dozen demonstrators rallied in support of Mackenzie outside Scott County Courthouse in Davenport, Iowa before the ruling came down, holding signs that read ‘Stop arresting patients’ and ‘Treating illness is a right.’”*
Cenk Uygur (http://www.twitter.com/cenkuygur) and Ana Kasparian (http://www.twitter.com/AnaKasparian) discuss.
*Read more here from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/09/terminal-cancer-patient-s_n_5793280.html?&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000016
Comments
the laws should only be followed if they make sense, and marijuana laws don’t make any sense. Ignorance is bliss though, right? and stupidity seems to reign supreme in the general public. Stories like these are heartbreaking, especially when new research indicates cannabis can actually cure cancer but I understand you need the entire plant, including the psychoactive component for it to be affective, don’t mess with mother nature and don’t limit anyone’s access to all natural and completely safe ways to improve their quality of life!